From the Snow Monkey park, we retraced our steps to Nagano Station, where we retrieved our bags and then got on a train bound for Kanazawa. We were pretty exhausted by the time we got to Kanazawa and were happy to shower at our hotel, Hotel Trusty. The hotel was super cute and would have been great for two of us, but stuffing a third person into our room made it laughable. We could barely move around with our suitcases taking up the last available floor space. I thought about hiring another room, but honestly didn't want to spend any more money. Thankfully it was not a real problem, but traveling requires an open mind and sometimes the need to just roll with whatever is in front of you. The hotel was in a great location and we went out for sushi at Mori Mori Sushi in a nearby mall. The line was long, a good sign, so we were happy that we were inside waiting because the temperature was dropping rapidly outside. 

​

Our first full day in Kanazawa was great. The sky was grey and it was pretty cold, with occasional snow flurries, but it wasn't cold enough to keep us from walking around. I can imagine how spectacular this town would be in spring with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. We enjoyed walking around Nagamachi Buke Yashiki, which was originally home to the city's samurai. It is not hard to envision that piece of history while walking around the narrow streets.  Many of these residences maintain their original earthen walls, which are still covered in the winter with straw mats to protect them from frost and subsequent cracking. A walk through Nagamachi, where an Edo-period atmosphere still lingers, offers a glimpse into the heritage of Kanazawa and Japan. 

We also enjoyed exploring the Oyama Shrine, which is right in the middle of town. The gardens are beautiful and lovely to walk around, despite the fact that they are quite bare at this time of year. 

The Omicho Market was a fun diversion, as we always love exploring a local market. It's history dates back to the Edo Period and has been providing locals with fresh food ever since. 

The architecture and serenity at the D.T. Suzuki Museum was perfect for our cold, grey afternoon. The man to whom it’s dedicated, Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki, single-handedly brought Zen Buddhism to the west and the museum’s primary purpose is to provide an atmosphere for meditative thought and learning. We watched snowflakes create small ripples on the outdoor mirror-garden water. 

​

Unfortunately our second day in Kanazawa was a little bit of a bust because the wind and cold really picked up and it was truly unpleasant to be out walking around. Every attempt to go out exploring, led us back to a warm, cozy cafe where we parked ourselves for long stretches. 

​

Places we ate:

​

• Aashirwad. Single-handedly the best Nepalese food I have ever eaten. The homemade naan was sublime and the woman working there was so lovely and inviting. We felt like we were welcomed into someone's home for lunch and it was just the break from the cold that we needed. While we were eating, we kept noticing a couple of local girls stealing furtive glances at us. Finally the woman running the restaurant came up to us and said, these girls would really love to take a photo with you- do you mind? It was so cute, they really didn't speak english, but were excited that we were from California. 

• Curio Espresso and Vintage Design. This cool little coffee shop had a great breakfast sandwich. 

• Mori Mori Sushi. Well, we liked it so much we braved the long lines to eat there two nights in a row!

• Gold Dipped Ice Cream. Soft served wrapped in gold leaf is a Kanazawa specialty and we couldn't leave without trying it. Japan has the most amazing ice cream and we tried it all, even in the cold!