Japan | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

June 12, 2018 by David Herd

Sensoji Temple

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo is the cities oldest temple. Senso-ji is the most widely visited spiritual site in the world with over 30 million visitors annually. The temple was completed in the year 645, making it Tokyo‘s oldest temple.

30 million visitors means it’s always busy here.

There are many festivals throughout the year in Asakusa, the most famous of them is the Sanja Matsuri, also known as Sanja Festival in May.

The purification process.

Prior to entering the temple take the ladle in your right hand and pour some water over your left hand. Then repeat the process using the opposite hands.

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo incense burner.

Many people believe that touching the smoke with injured parts of the body may have a healing effect.

I’ll have one of those please…..

As you can see food is sold within the temple grounds.

Let’s dress up as a Geisha

A delightful tradition, many ladies & gorgeous young girls hire a Kimono to feel more in the moment at the Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo.

Don’t they look wonderful and happy?

It really is a joy to see their happy smiling faces.

Of course everyone wants a selfie with the girls. 🙂

And why not? They really look fabulous.

Lining up to see inside the temple.

There certainly is lots of gold inside the temple.

lets have a closer look.

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo is rather spectacular don’t you think?

Kaminarimon or outer gate.

This fabulous gate has been destroyed & rebuilt many times throughout the ages.

Hashimoto Yakusi-do Temple

The temple houses a seating figure of Yakushi Nyorai (Physician of Souls).

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

In every nook & cranny there is something special to see at the amazing Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo.

Another beautiful setting.

Around every corner awaits a surprise.

A shopping arcade at the temple entrance.

As you can imagine there are lots of temple souvenirs here.

Finally the old & the new.

That’s the famous Tokyo Skytree, check out MY PHOTO BLOG from a previous trip.

One last shot of the gorgeous girls.

Thanks for visiting my Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo photo blog. Many more photo blogs below.

Tawaramachi Station

I stayed at the Agora Place hotel which was a wonderful location close to 3 metro stations Tawaramachi, Ueno & Asakusa. You can get an express train direct from Narita & you can catch the Shinkansen from Ueno. Book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

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Holiday Inn

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

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Oyster bar Sendai Japan

June 12, 2018 by David Herd

A Fabulous Feast in Sendai

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

Oyster bar Sendai Japan provided a terrific feast of delicious large natural oysters. Here is the reason these oysters are so good; “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.

These oysters are rather huge.

I was lucky the night to find this great little restaurant Ostra de Ole the oysters were half price so I ordered 10.

A ll of a sudden I thought I was in heaven. 🙂

It seemed that I was in heaven, sitting in a great little oyster bar drinking ice cold beer, listening to Abba singing Dancing Queen & waiting on my 10 oysters to arrive. And as I said, tonight they were half price, B300 or $12 AUD, priceless.

My night just kept getting better.

My waiter Ryuichiro Yamamoto a nice young university student who was studying Space Engineering, rolled up with a bonus 3 oysters on the house.

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

Cold beer, huge oysters & great music, it does not get any better than this in an Oyster bar Sendai Japan. 🙂

First bar as you enter Kokubuncho

kokubunchô is the largest entertainment district throughout Tohoku and is located in the center of Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture. About 3000 restaurants and bars are located there. Many people flock to this area every day, specifically during the weekend after a long week of work. The area is composed of various restaurants, Izakaya (Japanese style pubs), bars, nightclubs, etc . If you are looking to party, you came to the right place.🤗

Many thanks to Ostra de Ole & Ryuichiro Yamamoto .

And thanks to you for visiting my Oyster bar Sendai Japan photo blog. My hotel Hokke Club was in an excellent location. Only 15 minutes walk from the station & 10 minutes to Kokubuncho where all the action is. Book through THIS LINK for a very good room rate with free cancellation.

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

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Holiday Inn

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

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kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple Kyoto

June 11, 2018 by David Herd

A long climb to reach the Temple

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple Japan was founded in 778 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633, ordered by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. There is not a single nail used in the entire structure. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water.

More steps when you get to the Temple.

I assure you going back down from Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple is much easier. 🙂

Always crowds to contend with in the high season.

There are many advantages travelling in low season, less crowds, cheaper flights & hotels.

Coming down is much easier. 🙂

Lots of students even though it’s a Saturday.

Photo opportunity

Such a lovely Kimono on this very pretty lady.

Lets try another pose.

If you go to all the trouble to hire a kimono & dress up then you need to take plenty of photos.

Everybody loves the traditional dress

It’s so nice to see everyone dressed up.

A very busy ice-cream shop

On a hot day such as this soft serve ice cream really hits the spot.

Small parking spot.

A tight squeeze here but at least it’s off the road. These little boxy cars are very popular in Japan.

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

It was about a 35 minute walk from my hotel, however the last 10 minutes was up a very steep hill.

Thanks for visiting my Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple photo blog. The APA Hotel where I stayed is a great location with large rooms, as a bonus there is a Starbucks on the ground floor. For a really good room rate just book through THIS LINK, it will also give you free cancellation.

A-One hotel on Beach Road

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.

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Kyoto’s entertainment district

June 11, 2018 by David Herd

Gion-Kyoto’s-traditional-entertainment-district

You Gotta Love Kyoto

Kyoto’s entertainment district

Kyoto’s entertainment district is the perfect place to stay when visiting this great city. At one end of the street you cross the river & at the other end is Yasaka Shrine.

Yasaka Shrine.

Yasaka Shrine is also known as Gion Shrine, one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. Founded over 1350 years ago, the shrine is located between the popular Gion District and Higashiyama District, and you can simply walk between the two districts.

Locals & tourists like the dress up as Geishas.

There are many shops all over Kyoto when you can hire the traditional dress.

One of the larger hire shops.

It really is nice seeing all the ladies dressed in traditional outfits.

Blending in with the atmosphere.

Gion Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district is one of Japan’s most popular destinations.

Mercedes-AMG GT C

You should have heard the magnificent sound coming from this fabulous vehicle. The awning you can see on the right is the APA Hotel where I stayed, a great location with large rooms, as a bonus there is a Starbucks on the ground floor. For a really good room rate just book through THIS LINK, it will also give you free cancellation.

APA Hotel.

A good size room for Japan.

If you are travelling from Kyoto station to Gion forget the train just take either bus 100 or 110 from the station.

A small shrine in the main street.

Something to see around every corner.

Gion Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district Yakitori is one of the cuisines.

What amazing food is on offer in this wonderful country.

So many fascinating old buildings.

There is so much to see in this great city.

Another great looking restaurant

The most difficult thing is deciding where to eat. 🙂

Drinking with the locals.

I enjoyed a nice hour or 2 drinking with the locals in a tiny side street bar.

One of the many bars in close by Pontocho.

For many more bars & restaurants just follow THIS LINK.

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Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto

June 11, 2018 by David Herd

Kyoto

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto comes alive after sunset. Lots of interesting bars & restaurants in this rather compact area adjacent to Gion. My first visit to Kyoto was in 2007 & sadly I never knew Pontocho existed.

At sunset people sit along the river bank, I’m guessing it is some sort of tradition they are following because the view is fairly average as you can clearly see below. 🙂

A fairly average view.

I guess they meet for the company rather than the view.

Now this is a better photograph. 🙂

Late afternoon in Kyoto.

Strike up the band

These guys were playing very nice music.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto as the sun goes down.

It’s time for an ice cold Asahi Super Dry.

The Sisha Bar

This was where I started with a couple of beers.

Next door was Zaza Pub

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto gives you lots of choices of bars & restaurants.

Sumika basement restaurant

Sumika was an excellent Yakitori restaurant.

Beef heart & chicken washed down with hot sake.

Six skewers & 3 bottles of sake for 2000 Yen or $24 AUD.

The happy chefs.

They love having their photo taken. 🙂

Pizza & Tapas

So many restaurants & such little time.

Luca Yakitori bar

How good does this look?

Hot sake & a Shitake mushroom.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto offers very good food at a reasonable price.

Another terrific Tapas bar.

Red wine at 500 Yen or $6 AUD a glass.

Spanish cured ham.

The finest is called jamón ibérico de bellota (acorn). This ham is from free-range pigs that roam oak forests (called dehesas) along the border between Spain and Portugal, and eat only acorns during this last period. It is also known as jamón ibérico de Montanera.

The crowd gathers

Obviously a popular venue. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto photo blog, Japan truly is a fascinating country.

The APA Hotel was where I stayed, a great location with large rooms, as a bonus there is a Starbucks on the ground floor. For a really good room rate just book through THIS LINK, it will also give you free cancellation.

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Free Cancellation.

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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.

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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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Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you

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

Plus free cancellation .

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For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.

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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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Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

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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.

Thank you for visiting my Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle photo blog.

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

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Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

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Famous Japanese Garden Kanazawa

November 27, 2016 by David Herd

Beautiful Japanese garden

Famous Japanese Garden Kanazawa

Famous Japanese Garden Kanazawa, an eastern coastal city, Kenrokuen is rated number one out of 167 things to do in Kanazawa by TripAdvisor. It certainly is a tranquil peaceful place to wile away a few hours.