16.8.2018 – Day 1 – Arrival & Kanazawa

Finally the day has come! Arrival to Narita was on time and without any problems. As this is my third trip everything was warmly familiar and I pleasantly rushed through the halls and security checks. Even as I stepped out of the plane and in areas far from AC it was painfully obvious that it is hot outside. Thankfully my baggage has arrived and I rushed to get my Japanese SIM card for mobile internet. This time though it was delivered in a different place so I had to go back and forth till I finally got it. The next step was to get my JR pass. While waiting inline I changed my SIM card in order not to waste time. I also got SUICA card, which is an IC card which is used to pay for local trains, subway, buses, vending machines, shops and much more. It is a great multi-purpose IC card which makes many things in Japan much more convenient. Another great feature is that it is compatible with all other IC cards across Japan so you can use it at PASMO and other IC providers as well. This time around I have personalized my card by adding my name to keep it for future trips.

As I was going to the train I met again the two Japanese businessmen that I met at check-in in Prague. We shook hands, wished each other a safe trip and went on our way. The first thing I did was go to the nearest shop on the train platform to buy a drink and snack with my Suica. Then I settled in for the raid to Tokyo station. As always there is something being repaired at Tokyo station and as always it is crazy busy and full with hordes of people. This time around the head hit strongly, even though the Narita express arrives underground, which made it a bigger ordeal than needed. I made my way through the station, photographing a meeting point, the famous bell, for my friend just in case we have trouble communicating, so that she knows where to meet me in 3 days.

At the Shinkansen gate I bought an ekiben (bento for traveling on trains) and made my way to the platform, getting my camera out for the first time to take a picture of the Shinkansen that is going to take me to Kanazawa (yes, I love Shinkansens and trains in general). To my great pleasure the train had plugs which allowed me to start charging my computer so that I could write journal while going through tunnels that I knew were ahead as I was going through the Japanese Alps.

Settled in, I enjoyed the view and after getting closer to the mountains started taking pictures and eating my ekiben. Over Tokyo there was overcast, but closer to the mountains the clouds intensified. Even with the bad weather it still looks somewhat... magical. At the beginning it provided beautiful pictures with the mountains. The last time I travel this Shinkansen route was on my first trip in 2015 on our way to Matsumoto castle via Nagano. It was after our climb of Mount Fuji so I slept through most of it and don’t remember much. So this time I enjoyed the landscape.

While on the Narita express I saw that the weather forecast was looking much better than on the weekend that we checked, but for Kanzawa the forecast was rain so I though I will have to buy my raincoat and/or umbrella sooner rather than later. Shortly before Nagano the rain started and after Nagano it intensified, before becoming dribble as I arrived to the steamy Sea of Japan at Joetsu. Finally I was seeing it and was on the western coast of Japan. The first goal of this trip was achieved. Now it was only a short hop to Kanazawa. Arriving I immediately walked to the exit with a large wooden gate, only to realize that I need to be at the other side of the train station for my hotel. This was troublesome since the train station was packed with people. This was quiet unexpected as I though Kanazawa, it felt like there were some sort of holidays. The only thing that I can explain is that there are onsens in the area.

After checking-in and getting a shower I was reinvigorated and ready to go into the city and do stuff. Given that it was after 3pm I focused on the only thing that I wasn’t sure that I would be able to see according to my schedule was Seisonkaku Villa. I went to the visitor’s center to see what I could find out for transportation and other things in general. Pro tip: always visit the local visitor’s center, you might get some helpful tips. I found that I can go to the destination via JR bus that is included in the JR Pass. Before I went I and bought rain coat.

Upon arrival I found that the rain was of the annoying type that only a normal umbrella can stop. Needless to say I got one and made my way Seisonkaku Villa. A beautiful villa from the Edo period for mother of lord Maeda. Sadly inside there were no photos allowed to showcase the beautiful bulding. I’m a fan of Edo period architecture so this was on par for me with visits like Hakodate magistrate office. Afterwards I wandered around to a neighboring shrine, which was a non-tourist shrine. I’m guessing from the statues and other things that this was a shrine dedicated to fallen soldiers in World War II. Inside I also found flower arrangements display.

As it was raining I wandered around the shrine building to view the gardens, but instead I found Kyudo Dojo (Japanese Archery training hall). What more there were two people practicing there and once they saw me lurking at the range they invited me inside. As a result I got some amazing video and pictures of archery performance and also got to try it under the direction of the master. Compare to normal archery Kyudo has a strict form and movements. In a way the way you shoot is more important than hitting the target. Needless to say I struggled, but I had an amazing time and I got invited to come back next time I come to Kanazawa. I guess I have to practice before I come back…

After getting lost in the castle gardens I finally made it back to the main street. I walked around the famous museum of 21st century art museum (now closed) and made my way to Oyama shrine, which is famous for its stone entry gate. Next to the shrine I found a nice food shop with Japanese hearth food, so I had my favorite pork cutlets dish.

Since I already walked half-way back to the hotel I continued and walked back. After coming back I went to the hotel’s bath which I enjoyed thoroughly and had a talk with a visitor from Nagano in sauna about different food and different dialects in Japanese and English (traditional vs simplified English, etc.) and shared travel tips with two Italians.

This was a very satisfying first day and I met quiet a few of my goals already. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!