Osaka | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Favourite photos Japan part one

October 6, 2019 by David Herd

Favourite photos Japan

Favourite photos Japan, there are so many, I need to do two, maybe three posts. Such a fabulous country with a wonderful mix if old & new, or should I say ancient & modern. 🙂 The beautiful garden above was in Kyoto.

Yokohama station

There is a surprise around every corner in Japan.

Tōdai-ji Nara

Originally founded in the year 738 CE, Todai-ji temple was not opened until the year 752, absolutely spectacular.

Nara is 50 minutes by train from Osaka.

My favourite Tokyo restaurant.

Sushizanmai is a well known restaurant chain, this branch is open 24 hours a day & was adjacent to the old Tsujiki fish market, without a doubt it’s my favourite restaurant in Tokyo.

I really love this photograph.

In Kabukicho there is a small lane called “Piss Alley”, there are many tiny restaurants serving fabulous food. I have named this photo “Only the Lonely”.

Peace & serenity

One of the many artists in Ohori Park in Fukuoka.

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”.

Nagasaki Peace Park

Awesome statue commemorating the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945 during World War II.

Boat ride around Hikone castle

Hikone Castle is a Japanese National Treasure, one of five in the whole country. It is regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful and historic castles.

Here I am with some Harajuku girls.

Harajuku girls are famous ‘Fashion Aficionados’ or ‘Beauty stars of Japan’ which are known all over the world for their unique clothing style.

Coffee in Tokyo

These coffees certainly have the “wow” factor. 🙂

The Shibuya crossing

I love to sit in Starbucks & watch the peak hour crowd swarm across this famous intersection.

Shabusen in Tokyo

In the heart of the Ginza this terrific restaurant is a great place to enjoy Kobe beef. Go at lunch time when the special are cheaper. 🙂 TripAdvisor rating is #45 of 8,342 Restaurants in Chuo.

Another look at the Shabu Shabu.

I visit this great venue every time I’m in Tokyo.

Favourite photos Japan

This is Dotombori in Osaka, there are so many restaurants & such little time. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Favourite photos Japan photo blog.

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Dotonbori in Osaka

Piss Alley Tokyo

Oyster bar Sendai

Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

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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.

Thanks for visiting my Amazing World Food Volume Two photo blog. Check out volume one here.

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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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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.

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.

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

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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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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

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

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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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Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Pattaya live webcam

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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.

You can take a bus but I prefer to walk

The Busses leave from the front of Toyoko Inn. Turn left just before you cross the river to get to Kazue Machi Chaya District Kanazawa.

Thanks for visiting my Japanese drummers Geisha District Kanazawa photo blog.

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

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Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

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Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

November 25, 2016 by David Herd

Higashi-Chaya-District-Kanazawa-Japan-Geisha

Two-story Chaya houses

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa

Old Geisha Town Kanazawa, Higashi Chaya is one of three similar districts in Kanazawa. The cities tourism department holds a Geisha show in these Chaya districts every Saturday. Another district is Kazue-machi which is featured in another post.

Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa

A chaya house has a beautiful lattice called “kimusuko” on the walls of the ground floor.

A close look at the lattice

Hopefully the rather large body of the well fed FiveStarVagabond does not stop you getting an idea of the “kimusuko”.

Old Japanese Geisha Town Kanazawa

I’m guessing this is probably where the Geisha girls perform every Saturday.

A couple of locals sharing a happy moment.

The chaya houses used to be in central Kanazawa but were moved into four districts away from the city centre in 1820.

Photo opportunity

We all love photos to help us remember these wonderful places.

Hello boys

I’m sure the big guy on the right had an Australian accent.

Smile please

TripAdvisor rate the Higashi Chaya District 3rd out of 167 things to do in Kanazawa so naturally the tourists (including myself) flock here with their cameras.

Magnificent blue sky

How lucky was I to have this beautiful sky?

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

Time to relax with an icecream

A rather unique tradition in Kanazawa is to sprinkle edible gold leaf on top of ice cream and other food. Check out my Omicho Fresh Food Market Kanazawa photo blog for other examples.

Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa

This whole area along with Kazue-machi which is close by, and Gion in Kyoto have been designated as Japan’s cultural assets.

Just across the bridge is Kazue-machi

Kazue-machi overlooks the Asanogawa river.

sound of drums

Fabulous Japanese drummers

Watch this video on YouTube

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.

More great homes

Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa really has quite a wonderful unique style.

If you are feeling lazy

These guys are at your service. 🙂

But first lets negotiate the price. 🙂

It seems like a very friendly negotiation.

Lovely shop

Lots of nice shops & tea houses in Higashi Chaya District Kanazawa.

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.

Thanks for visiting my Old Geisha Town Kanazawa photo blog.

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

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That’s all folks

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

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Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

November 24, 2016 by David Herd

Omicho Seafood Market

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa, Omicho was a delight to visit, the noise, the atmosphere & the food. I enjoyed a terrific lunch with edible gold leaf sprinkled on my sashimi.

Fresh seafood packed on ice

The only problem I found was finding somewhere to sit after you purchased some food.

Fresh crab very good

These look great but reasonably expensive at 4,500 Yen.

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa

There were lots of species here I was not familiar with.

Salmon roe is absolutely fantastic

I could almost eat it every day.

My hotel was in a perfect location just a short walk to the market, book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

So many choices

The market really does have an enormous variety of seafood.

Fresh fruit as well

Being Japan the quality is very high indeed.

I decided to have lunch at one of the popular restaurants

Very busy and excellent fresh sashimi.

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa, very crowded

Well it was Sunday lunch time so I guess that is one of the busiest times to be there.

Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa, check this out

The sashimi came in three sizes, I chose the middle one, it was excellent.

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.

Lets have a closer look

Naturally the leaf is used in jewelry, cosmetics etc as well as the edible product you see here.

Check out my YouTube video

Omicho seafood market Kanazawa Japan

The salmon roe is absolutely delicious.

Fresh oysters

I really love fresh oysters but I decided they were a little too expensive and I have five more cities to visit. 🙂

A great selection of seafood

Omicho Market has been around for over 300 years, initially however it only supplied the privileged towns near the castle. Finally in 1904, the market was opened to the public and ever since then has been one of the most popular places to shop in Kanazawa.

Sushizanmai

Sushizanmai is my favourite chain of Japanese restaurants with the best one at Tsujiki markets in Tokyo. I have also eaten at their branch in Osaka & Fukuoka.

The market is 10 minutes walk from my hotel

You can take the bus but I prefer to walk.

Toyoko Inn

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

Thanks for visiting my Omicho Seafood Market Kanazawa photo blog.

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Hiroshima city food transport

November 22, 2016 by David Herd

Ōta River Hiroshima

Hiroshima city food transport

Hiroshima city food transport, as you would expect the top four or five things to see in Hiroshima revolve around the shocking event on August 6th 1945. Sadly 140,000 people lost their lives when U.S. airmen unleashed the first atomic bomb on the unsuspecting Hiroshima civilians.

Three days later of course the repeated the horror at the beautiful city of Nagasaki.

Hiroshima Peace Clock Tower

One of many symbolic monuments within the Memorial Peace Park the clock tower marks the exact time of the explosion, 8.15 am.

The castle

Reconstructed in 1958 after being totally destroyed by the bomb, a must to see when visiting this very nice city. Check out my photo blog through THIS LINK.

Hiroshima streetcars

Streetcars or trams are a great way to get around the city, however I prefer the bus. If you hold a JAL rail pass the bus is free, this particular one called the loop bus leaves from in front of the Hotel Granvia beside Hiroshima station. There are two different routes which take you past all the Hiroshima attractions, you simply hop on & off as many times as you wish. For a super room rate with free WiFi just book through THIS LINK.

Covered shopping arcades

They are a common feature in most Japanese cities, rain hail or shine you can move around & shop in comfort.

Japanese Craft Beer Café

Close to the railway station & my hotel is Raku Beer a Japanese Craft Beer Café, an interesting selection of excellent beer.

Pour me another please.

There is a happy hour daily from 5pm to 7pm.

Another great meal

Many restaurants in Japan are noisy, busy and a lot oif fun & atmosphere. This one was all those things along with terrific food.

Barbequed chicken

To my surprise they also sold Jack Daniels & Soda in large mugs.

Jack & soda with Crispy burdock root

Now there’s a new combination.

Crispy burdock root

Crispy burdock root, a Eurasian species of plants in the sunflower family, cultivated in gardens for its root used as a vegetable. Not only had I never tried it, I had never heard of it before, apparently the nutritional benefits are quite high.