Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Old Friends & Uncle Jack

[Jacques Vert]

The HI Kanzawa is a fairly typical Holiday Inn:







The HI is located on top of a shopping complex with a department store on the lower floors and a supermarket, chemist, food hall and bottle shop in the basement – very handy. It’s also well located within reasonable walking distance of Kanazawa Castle and Park, Kenroku-en Garden, Omi-Cho Fish Market, Kanazawa Railway Station, Korinbo Shopping and Business District, and Katamachi, the eating / nightclub area. Note that almost none of the eateries or bars in Katamachi open until at least 5pm, some are 6pm.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Across the road from the hotel is the Omi-Cho Fish Market. An interesting place to visit:

 

[Jacques Vert]

As the weather was closing in and it was late afternoon we decided to have an early dinner. We try to eat the local cuisine whenever we can but after 2 weeks of traditional Japanese restaurants we both ready for something more familiar when we spotted a Japanese Italian restaurant outside the fish market.






The desserts were good:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next day off for some sightseeing. We walked back through the Omi-Cho Fish Market and followed the signs to the Kanazawa Castle and Park.


Some nice stuff along the way:

 

[Jacques Vert]

The original Castle was burnt down and rebuilt many times over the centuries, the latest fire was in 1881. Reconstruction started around 2001 (Yep, 120 years later) and although less than 10% has been rebuilt it is still quite impressive.

 

[Jacques Vert]

One of the guard towers is diamond shaped with corner angles of 100 degrees and 80 degrees rather than 90 degrees (as was the original tower). Apparently this was to give a wider view of enemy troups attacking both gates.





These stairs were a bit of a challenge; I didn't feel so bad after watching a couple of school girls struggle also, one of them worked her way down by sitting on each tread in turn.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Some views from the towers:











And a couple of shots as we were leaving:







Thanks to +1 for the photos.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After the Castle we crossed the footbridge to Kenroku-en Garden. As explained by the Lonely Planet it is ranked as one of the top 3 gardens in Japan. This Edo period garden draws its name from a renowned Sung-dynasty garden in China that dictated 6 attributes for perfection: seclusion, spaciousness, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views.

 

[Jacques Vert]

drron, judging by the cherry trees in your photos we missed each other here by a couple of weeks.

I understand why you like it so much, the word that comes to my mind is exquisite.

Seems we took many similar photos.

 

[Jacques Vert]

It's a special place, deserves a few more photos:

 

[Jacques Vert]

I hope I am not boring you, but here's a few more:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Most people have heard of Chinglish, I presume the Japanese equivalent is J'english?

Love this example from the HI:


"It can swallow either up"

 

[drron]

We did both go to several places and I have known just where you are for most photos.Some of the other places you went to such as Hakodate and Nagoya we have visired previously.As once was said-it is deja vu all over again.

 

[Jacques Vert]

OSAKA

Arrived into Osaka late afternoon and checked into the Intercon where we stayed 2 nights on points. Pretty flash hotel – nice as any that we’ve stayed at.

 

[Jacques Vert]

The only complaint is, like most of Japan, they allow people to smoke in the bar and restaurant areas. First night wasn’t too bad, the second night there were at least 6 people smoking with no ventilation except through the doorway and to us it was like an opium den. As we are both non-smokers it was very unpleasant.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Osaka Castle:

Very impressive from the outside however not so interesting inside. I’m sure it would be much more so if we could understand the lingo.










Some nice views of Osaka from the tower:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Harukas 300

Claimed locally to be the tallest "building/skyscraper" in Japan (assuming you don't count the two towers in Tokyo). I guess it's the tallest office building.

We caught the lift up to the 60[SUP]th[/SUP] floor. At 300 metres the views are impressive.










Except for the smog:







Snacks, refreshments can be purchased and consumed on the 59[SUP]th[/SUP] floor on the Sky garden.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then caught the subway to Namba station and took the Namba Walk through the Minami Area including Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho Alley. This place is alive; had a very interesting stroll for a couple of hours:

 

[Jacques Vert]

A few more views from the same area:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Just a couple more: