Yakitori | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Gastronomical Japanese Adventure

June 20, 2018 by David Herd

Eat to live, or live to eat?

Gastronomical Japanese Adventure

Gastronomical Japanese Adventure in May 2018, started with the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai, then I flew to Sapporo before another flight south to Nagoya. After a couple of overcast days I had a short trip on the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Four days later I rested in Hikone for 2 days before spending my final night in Narita.

The Yakitori chicken above was in Tokyo & absolutely mouth watering. 🙂

Sushizanmai is my favourite sushi chain of restaurants.

Always fresh & delicious.

Grilled Avocado at the Cellar Grill Omotosando

Quite an amazing taste.

Gastronomical Japanese Adventure continues in Sendai

Sendai is famous for oysters, “a cold current that contains nutrient-rich water travels down the coast from north to south. The two currents collide at around the Sanriku area, which includes the coast of Miyagi Prefecture.” The mixing of these currents leads to plankton blooms, which attract migrating fish. “This same nutrient- and plankton-rich water makes Matsushima Bay oysters delicious,” these wild oysters were first discovered as a culinary delight and harvested from Matsushima Bay back in the 17th century.

Salmon & almonds was delicious.

At the ANA Holiday Inn in Sendai.

Mongolian Lamb in Sapporo.

Lunch at the Beer Garden should certainly be on your bucket list.

Rare roast beef salad at Bistro Masuya Sapporo

Something a little different for a change.

Sapporo seafood market

Hokkaido of course is famous for seafood.

While on the subject of seafood markets,

Here I am at Omicho market in Kanazawa in 2016.

Gastronomical Japanese Adventure includes some edible gold leaf on top?

Kanazawa’s history with gold leaf began 400 years ago. Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) used to make gold leaf, Kanazawa now is the only remaining production hub of the coveted craft.

Lunch at Nagoya

A chicken & salad wrap followed by a cream bun.

Yakitori for dinner in Nagoya

Asparagus wrapped in pork.

Yakitori for dinner in Osaka.

You probably realise by now how much I love Yakitori. 🙂

I also found my fabulous grilled avocado again in Osaka.

Talk about my Gastronomical Japanese Adventure, this creation ranks right up there with the best.

Succulent steak in Kyoto

Cooked to perfection.

Fabulous Ramen in Kagoshima.

This city is a long way off the beaten track but really worth a visit.

Dolphin Port sushi train

How good is this?

The happy guys at Dolphin Port.

They all love a photo. 🙂

I’m still in Kagoshima

I really love Unagi (eel)

Gastronomical Japanese Adventure

Fabulous Pizza at Gorms, which hails from Copenhagen. I first ordered this in their Nagasaki branch, then I repeated the effort in Fukuoko. 🙂

More wonderful food in Kagoshima

Yakitori to die for at the Kagomma Furusato Food Village.

Duck Confit in Hikkone

Absolutely mouth watering & cooked to perfection.

Giant Gyozo aat the Spiral Staircase in Narita.

An excellent all you can eat restaurant 10 minutes walk from Narita station.

Here are some locals I met in Kyoto.

Had a few beers with these nice locals in a tiny beer bar in Gion.

Hamosh & I drinking ice cold Ashari in Osaka.

Thanks for visiting my Gastronomical Japanese Adventure photo blog.

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Kushi Dori Yakitori Sapporo

June 16, 2018 by David Herd

You gotta love Yakitori & Sake

Kushi Dori Yakitori Sapporo

Kushi Dori Yakitori Sapporo was an excellent typical, busy, noisy Japanese restaurant serving good food at a very reasonable price.

Small,busy & noisy.

The only downside is customers are allowed to smoke in 90% of restaurants.

I went there two of the 4 nights I was in Sapporo.

Each time I had 5 or 6 skewers & 2 or 3 glasses of sake + an ice cold Asashi for only 1700 yen, or $20 AUD.

Beef tongue & asparagus wrapped in pork.

Both were delicious as you can imagine. The sake was pretty good also.

The chicken is always hard to beat.

In some ways it reminds me of eating Dim Sum, lots of different tasty small portions.

Is that “Daddy Cool” waiting for a seat?

Kushi Dori Yakitori Sapporo is always busy & popular.

Very close to my hotel.

APA Hotel Sapporo-Susukino-Ekimae was in a very good location next to the metro station. For a terrific room rate just book through THIS LINK & pay later, free cancellation if your plans change.

The chefs love having their photo taken.

I have some friends in Thailand who selfie addicts also, lets just call them Hamish & BT.

Talking about happy chefs.

Here is the main man, big smile for the camera. Many thanks for visiting my Kushi Dori Yakitori Sapporo photo blog.

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Sendai Japan Founded 1600

June 13, 2018 by David Herd

Very nice city just north ease of Tokyo.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600

Sendai Japan Founded 1600, located northeast of Tokyo. My first impression was the city seemed a little bland & boring, it turned out I was totally wrong, the city has an exciting nightlife area called Kokubuncho. As you can see above elevated walkways spread out from the station to surrounding buildings.

Tokyo to Sendai on the Shinkansen.

Only one hour twenty minutes & very few passengers if you don’t travel in peak hour.

Lunch at the ANA Holiday Inn.

Very good food & only a short walk from the station.

ANA Holiday Inn

For an excellent room rate with free cancellation just book through THIS LINK.

Lots of modern glass skyscrapers.

Quite a typical modern Japanese city.

Long covered shopping arcade

These arcades are found in many Japanese cities.

At night the action is in Kokubuncho

Nearly 3,000 restaurants and bars crowd within a fairly small area. People flood this area until very late each night, especially at weekends.

Lots of restaurants large & small.

The only problem is deciding where to eat. 🙂

Seafood is very popular all over Japan.

Good sushi eaten in Japan is hard to beat.

Ostra de Ole is at the beginning Kokubuncho.

Huge delicious oysters, follow THIS LINK for more photos.

Highly ranked Thai restaurant near my hotel.

Called in on my way to the hotel for a couple of glasses of red wine.

The owner & his wife were very nice friendly people.

Of course most people in Japan are. TripAdvisor have Ranked them # 319 of 5996 restaurants in Sendai.

The Hotel Hokke Club was my hotel in a very good location, 10 minutes walk from the station & 10 minutes to Kokubuncho. For an excellent room rate & free cancellation just book through THIS LINK.

Lucy & Glutton, a very good Italian restaurant

It’s Ranked 690 out of 5996 restaurants in Sendai

A very good pasta dish at Lucy & Glutton.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600 has so many restaurant choices it will make your head spin. 🙂

The Koyo Grand Hotel.

Very upmarket hotel, however book through THIS LINK for a heavily discounted room rate.

Farewell to Sendai, next stop Sapporo.

Thanks for visiting my Sendai Japan Founded 1600 photo blog, what a surprise packet this city turned out to be.

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Genki Pattaya Japanese Restaurant

February 3, 2018 by David Herd

Excellent food at Genki

Genki Pattaya Japanese Restaurant

Genki Pattaya Japanese Restaurant located in Soi 4 North Pattaya is one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in Pattaya. Lucky for me it’s only a short 5 minute walk from my condo. 🙂

Outdoor seating

Outdoor seating plus a private room for around 16 people.

Rarely do you see a Farang here.

Customers are mainly Japanese, rarely do you see a Farang. (Foreigner)

Gyoza comes fried or steamed

Priced at B90 or $4.00 AUD.

My Australian friend Viv Kennelly

Like myself Viv really enjoys his food.

Salmon Caviar

One of my favourite dishes at B300 or $14.50 AUD.

Same dish as above.

Probably prepared by a different chef. Both come with the sheets of seaweed to make a delicious sandwich.

Genki Pattaya Japanese Restaurant

The omelet is so light it melts in your mouth. 🙂

This guy was the boss.

I believe he has gone back to Japan & the standard seems to have dropped slightly.

I’m not to keen on prawn heads in my miso soup.

Oh well I guess it improves the flavour. 🙂

Salmon sashimi

Always hard to beat.

Mushrooms wrapped in bacon

For all the non Muslims out there. 🙂

More Aussie friends

Hamish & Matt both have pretty good appetites.

Here is a funny story, Matt runs a factory in the motor industry with 60 or 70 staff, naturally he is on a very good wage. The clincher is however, on top of his wage he gets a hardship allowance for living in Pattaya. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Genki Pattaya Japanese Restaurant September 4th 2019

David Robertson aka “Chocs” & his girlfriend Thip.

Thanks for visiting my Genki Pattaya Japanese Restaurant photo blog.

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Amazing World Food

June 25, 2017 by David Herd

Eat to live or live to eat?

Amazing World Food Volume Two starting with Japan

Amazing World Food Volume Two closely following “Amazing Food Planet Earth Volume one” featuring my favorite food from all over this wonderful world. I’m not pretending to be a food critic I’m just highlighting some memorable food I have enjoyed over the years.

Kanazawa

Salmon sashimi with salmon caviar sprinkled with edible gold leaf. The gold leaf is used in jewelry, cosmetics etc as well as the edible product you see here.

Shabu Shabu at The Ginza

Wagyu beef at Shabusen at the Ginza, a terrific restaurant for Shabu Shabu, go at lunch time for special prices. I could dedicate this whole post to Japanese cuisine which is my favorite food, however I do that in another photo blog.

Itaewon in Korea

This particular street in Seoul where all the restaurants are looks very ordinary through the day but it comes alive when night falls. It is the best bar restaurant area I have ever seen anywhere in the world.

Korean Street food

These street snacks look rather interesting.

French food in Seoul

To be honest I’m not a huge fan of Korean food which is mainly due to ignorance, in future I must try ta few more dishes. Consequently here I am in Seoul eating french food, an entree of prawns, avocado & egg followed by steak tartare.

Amazing World Food Steak Tartare

As I have found over the years this is a very tasty dish but too much for one person, better to share next time.

Lisbon in Portugal

A wonderful city for food & wine, in fact it quickly became one of my favorite European cities.

What an amazing atmosphere

I’m sure this restaurant has not changed for hundreds of years. 🙂

One of the 6,000 restaurants.

TripAdvisor show around 6,000 restaurants is Lisbon so I’m guessing nobody eats at home. 🙂

The cakes & tarts

My downfall, how can I possibly resist?

Amsterdam

Let’s start with breakfast in a private home with two suites for rent.

A light lunch at Cafe de Prins

Rated by TripAdvisor #322 of 3,241 Restaurants in Amsterdam. A fabulous baguette washed down with a Heineken.

Dinner at De Belhamel, lamb cooked to perfection.

TripAdvisor rate #93 of 3,241 Restaurants in Amsterdam. Here is the Michelin guide description; This art nouveau style restaurant is located at the confluence of two canals and has a delightful terrace overlooking the water. Influences from France and Italy combine to deliver tasty dishes with clearly defined flavours.

Manhattan Island New York City

Food in the big apple is amazing, Gallagher’s lived up to it’s reputation as being on of New York’s best steakhouses, in fact my Surf & Turf could have fed two people easily.

Aged beef at Gallagher’s

All fresh beef is aged for at least few days and up to several weeks to allow enzymes naturally present in the meat to break down the muscle tissue, resulting in improved texture and flavor. These days, most beef is aged in plastic shrink-wrap—a process known as wet-aging. All fresh beef is aged for at least few days and up to several weeks to allow enzymes naturally present in the meat to break down the muscle tissue, resulting in improved texture and flavor. These days, most beef is aged in plastic shrink-wrap—a process known as wet-aging.

Amazing World Food Volume Two

Last but not least is a typical Australian lunch at my home when I was living on the Gold Coast in QLD Australia, I entertained often & this food took very little preparation.

I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.

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Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains

December 11, 2016 by David Herd

Shinkansen-Japan's-high-speed-bullet-trains-Japan

Explore Japan in comfort

Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains

Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains are the perfect way to see this wonderful country. Rather than arrive at an airport 2 hours before your flight simply travel to the centre of one city to centre of the next.

Tokyo was the start of my trip

My good friend Kayo came to Tokyo Station to help me sort of all the tickets for my trip to six cities I had never seen before.

Currently a Japanese rail pass can only be purchased outside the country however from March 8th 2017 selected Japanese stations will sell them at a more expensive price.

Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains

As of January 2017 $100 usd = 11,695 Yen.

Tokyo to Kanazawa 4 hours

One thing to keep in mind, I stay in budget hotels which are usually near the station. In many cities you can’t check in until 3 or 4 pm. Often I would just leave my luggage and head off to the nearest attraction.

My hotel was great value in a perfect location with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

How about the edible gold leaf?

Kanazawa’s history with gold leaf began 400 years ago. Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) used to make gold leaf, Kanazawa now is the only remaining production hub of the coveted craft.

Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains Kanazawa to Hiroshima 5 hours

Hiroshima was an emotional experience that I’ll never forget. Seventy one years ago at 8.15 am on August 6th 1945 U.S. pilots dropped an atomic bomb which instantly killed 140,000 people.

As if that was not shocking enough 3 days later they killed 70,000 in Nagasaki.

For a super room rate in a great location with free WiFi just book through THIS LINK.

Cenotaph & park

A memorial is held here every year on August 6th.

Hiroshima to Kumamoto 2 hours 40 minutes

I was on my my to Kagoshima so I thought I would stop for one night to see the damage done to the castle by the recent earthquake.

My budget hotel was in an excellent location, good rooms with free WiFi, for a great rate just book using THIS LINK.

Three years to repair wall

The city hopes to repair the main keep within three years, while the rest of the grounds are expected to require about 20 years to be fully repaired.

Kumamoto to Kagoshima 2 hours

Well worth a visit, the city lies opposite an active volcano.

Wonderful smiling faces

Some things in Japan you can be sure of, happy smiling faces, they love to be in a photograph, & people are just so nice & polite.

My hotel was only 10 minutes walk to lots of restaurants & the ferry terminal, a great location with free Wi Fi and a great room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

Kagoshima to Nagasaki 2 hours

I had heard a lot aout Nagasaki so I was eagerly looking forward to visiting this seaside city, in particular the atom bomb site & Battleship Island.

My favourite Nagasaki sign

It’s on billboards, the side of trains & trams, wonderful Japanese humour. 🙂

My hotel was only a three minute walk to the station. Rated highly by AGODA, book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate with free WiFi.

Nagasaki to Fukuoka 2.5 hours

The final leg of my Shinkansen rail trip through Japan.

I would certainly recommend the hotel Ascent, for a very good discount just book through THIS LINK.

Craving a change of cuisine

As much as I love Japanese food after 2 weeks I was craving a change. The fabulous pizza is a speciality at Gorm’s, part of a Danish restaurant chain, opened 2014 in Nagasaki & shortly after in Fukuoka.

Fukuoka was anther surprise packet, lots of things to see and do. Think about flying into Tokyo & out of Fukuoka as I did, travel by bullet train in between these 2 cities.

On the way to Osaka in October 2015 with my friend Hamish

Hamish of course is world famous for the number of selfies he takes. 🙁 Look closely and you can see me in the background. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains photo blog.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.

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Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo

December 6, 2016 by David Herd

Tokyo is a wonderful city

Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo

Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo Station were the main areas where I spent my time in October 2016. Three nights and 2 days is just not enough time to fully enjoy this great city. It was however my starting point for my 2 week 6 city adventure on the Shinkansen or bullet train.

I travelled to 6 interesting Japanese cities, includung Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki & Fukuoka.

Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo

Lets start around the Tsukiji area, here is my friend Kayo inspecting the produce. 🙂

Sushizanmai

My favourite sushi restaurant located close to the Tsukiji seafood market.

We both love Sushizanmai

I have also eaten in their branches in Osaka, Hiroshima & Fukuoka.

The eel is absolutely fabulous

There is always a queue waiting to get in, make sure you sit at the sushi counter on the ground floor.

Bluefin Tuna Sells for $117,000 at Tokyo Auction

I have stayed in two excellent budget hotels very close to Sushizanmai, use these links to book and get a very good rate. Hotel Tokyu-Stay and Hotel Ban.

Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo

Around the Tsukiji market area there are many sidewalk stores selling fresh seafood. The huge market was supposed to relocate by now, the 81-year old fish market is one of the largest of its kind in the world and is a Tokyo cultural icon.

Many stores will cook for you

Many people rate the market as the number one attraction in Tokyo.

Everyone deserves a break

He probably started work at 3 am so it’s time for a break. 🙂

My hotel was great value in a perfect location with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

We say farewell to the Tsukiji market area

However I can assure you we shall return. 🙂

Lets take a 15 minute walk to Ginza.

On the way we pass the famous Kabuki Theatre.

The theatre dates to 1889 & has been destroyed by fire, earthquakes and war. It re-opened in 2013 and attracts 900,000 visitors a year.

Tokyo love buildings with a twist

One of the great attractions in Japan is seeing the old and the new.

The Ginza

Back in the 1990s real estate in the Ginza was unbelievably expensive, one square meter of land was over 100 million yen. Prices now in 2016 have fallen dramatically however the area is still very expensive.

You can buy anything in the Ginza

Just make sure you have your black Amex card with you. 🙂

Kayo & I at a Spanish restaurant

Close to my hotel there were a number of restaurants including this Spanish one.

So many restaurants & such little time.

Kayo had a snack & I stuck to the beers & red wine.

Instead of Spanish I chose a busy noisy Japanese restaurant

I had only been in Tokyo 24 hours so I was craving Japanese food.

Shumai?

These look more Chinese than Japanese. 🙂

This is more like it

Chicken Yakitori delicious.

So many restaurants

And such little time. 🙂

Tokyo Station

There is now a bus from Narita that will bring you to a stop opposite Tokyo Station or Sukiyabashi crossing in Ginza for only 1000 Yen.

Adjacent to Tokyo Station

The lights of Tokyo at night are magnificent.

Akihabara

famous for its hundreds or perhaps thousands electronic shops.

My hotel was excellent.

Close to 3 metro stations including the Hibuyu line with with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

After 3 nights in Tokyo

I’m off for a two week trip to 6 cities I have never seen before. Many thanks for visiting my Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo Station photo blog.

What a great year for travel in 2015

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book through these links below. Book now & pay later.

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Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants

November 30, 2016 by David Herd

Kanazawa-Japan-shrines-parks-restaurants

Oyama Shrine

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants kept me very busy for the short time I was in this interesting city. This was my first stop after 3 nights in Tokyo on my 7 city Shinkansen adventure.

The Oyama Shrine gate originally guarded the entrance of Kanazawa Castle, and was later moved to Oyama Shrine.

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants

The Oyama Shrine is in the heart of the city only 7 minutes walk from my hotel. First established in 1599 and moved to its present location in 1873.

I stumbled on a little princess

You won’t see too many sweeter young Japanese girls as this little princess. I almost had to beg to get this great photo. 🙂

Map of the city

An interesting sculpture of Kanazawa city.

My hotel was great value in a perfect location with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

People having fun in Central park

A sunny day without a cloud in the sky, so lets go to the park.

Central park is between the main city street & the castle, there were some Hawaiian dancers entetaining the crowd.

Kanazawa Hawiian dancers

Tere is a cute little Japanese girl here stealing the limelight from the Hawaiian dancers.

Wedding

The Museum of Cultural Exchange is also in Central park, a wedding reception was about to begin in the restaurant.

Gorgeous girls

The girls look absolutely gorgeous dressed in Kimonos.

The bikers come to town

These fabulous looking machines were parked on the footpath outside my hotel. Very expensive looking machines.

Kanazawa parking

Making the most of the available space.

Kanazawa railway station

A very modern railway station, almost a work of art.

Department store

Most cities I have visited in Japan all seem to have at least one department store at the railway station.

Lunch boxes

Naturally I purchases one of these salmon roe or caviar, whatever you wish to call it, absolutely delicious. I ate it on my way to Hiroshima on the shinkansen.

Yakitori tour of Japan 🙂

This should be the name of my holiday, I was always searching for good Yakitori restaurants.

Yakitori no Meimon Akiyoshi was the restaurants name.

There are 2,969 restaurants in Kanazawa & tripAdvisor rated this one 426th.

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants, lots of chefs

A typical busy noise yakitori restaurant with delicious food.

Toyoko Inn

My hotel was great value in a perfect location with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants

My hotel is beside bus stop number 16 & is within walking distance of all the places of interest.

Thank you for visiting my Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants photo blog.

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Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle

November 30, 2016 by David Herd

Gyokusen’inmaru Garden

Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle

Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle is absolutely stunning as you can see from the header in this post. This is one of my favourite photos from my two week seven city Shinkansen trip in October 2016.

Constructed in 1634 if flourished for between 200 & 300 years before being abandoned. However a full reconstruction began in 2013 to produce the wonderful result we see today.

Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle

After a five minute uphill walk you arrive at the castle entrance.

Adjacent to the castle

These are a few shops just before you reach the castle.

Kanazawa Castle

A huge fire in 1759 destroyed the whole castle then it was re-built in 1788. That year is also when 11 ships with 1,530 people onboard, 736 of them convicts, arrived in Botany Bay a few miles south of Sydney Harbour in Australia. This event is known to all us Aussies as “the first fleet”.

My hotel was great value in a perfect location, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount. Make sure you are in the downtown one at Korinbo, it’s more convenient than the one near the station.

The Imori moat

If you are going to build a castle then you gotta have a moat.

Spectacular

Once again I was very lucky to have the beautiful blue sky to highlight my photos of Kanazawa Castle.

The buildings look new

Even though it was rebuilt 228 years ago it still looks brand new. 🙂

As usual built on a hill

The castles always take the high ground, all the better to resist their enemies.

Through the gate we go

The Ni-no Mon is what they call the second gate.

Picture perfect

As you can see the buildings and grounds are in perfect condition.

Not a cloud in the sky

A perfect day for wandering around Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle and the beautiful Kenrokuen garden right next door to the castle.

I was so fortunate to have perfect weather

Photos look so much better when there is a beautiful blue sky. There seems to be a lot of rain between November & February.

Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle

A final look at this beautiful garden within the castle walls.

Toyoko Inn

My hotel was great value in a perfect location with free WiFi, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

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Japanese drummers Geisha District

November 26, 2016 by David Herd

Kazue-Machi-Chaya-District-Kanazawa-Japan

Near Higashi Chaya District

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Japanese drummers Geisha District Kanazawa is located along the Asanogawa river only five minutes walk from the larger more popular Higashi Chaya District. Geishas are the traditional, female Japanese entertainers who regularly perform in these areas.

Japanese drummers Geisha District

The district overlooks the Asanogawa river & seems rather quiet & peaceful.

That was until I heard the sound of drums

Fabulous Japanese drummers

The noise seemed to be somewhere up on the hill so I took some narrow winding steps up to the top. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time, I was walking through Kazue-machi, the old geisha district located along the river between Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge and Naka-no Hashi Bridge, when I heard these fabulous drums.

Five minutes they added a flute

Japanese drummers + flute

I was so happy to be able to see these wonderful street performers in action. About ten days later I had some more good fortune in Nagasaki when I saw some more fabulous drummers doing their thin. Check out my photo blog through THIS LINK.

Japanese drummers Geisha District

Chaya houses have a beautiful lattice called “kimusuko” on the walls of the ground floor.

Tiny streets

As you can see many of the streets are just tiny narrow alleys in Kazue Machi Chaya District Kanazawa.

Tea House

The historical rows in this tea-house town have been designated as Japan’s cultural assets since 2008.

Lattice is called “kimusuko”

A typical Chaya house which is noe a tea house or restaurant.

Many interesting buildings

So many photo opportunities in Japan which is one of the many reasons I love travelling here.

Torii Gate

Torii gates usually mark the entrance to Shinto shrines, however they seem to be used in many other areas as well.

Another example

This large Torii gate is quite different to the previous one.

Toyoko Inn

My hotel was great value in a perfect location, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount. Make sure you are in the downtown one, it’s more convenient than the one near the station.