train | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Cielo Sky Bar Bangkok

December 15, 2016 by David Herd

Cielo-Sky Bar-Sukhumvit-Bangkok-Thailand-city-view-restaurant

46^th level Sky Walk Condominium

Cielo Sky Bar Bangkok is another spectacular venue to add to the many other “must do” places to visit in this great city. Located between Sukhumvit 69 & 71 only
five minutes walk from Phra Khanong BTS station.

Cielo Sky Bar Bangkok

As usual with Bangkok Sky Bars it’s always best to arrive before sunset to get the benefit of seeing the city in day light, dusk & night.

Who is this guy?

He greets you as you arrive at Sky Walk condominium, he could almost be saying “take me to your leader”. 🙂

Here we are at the bar

If you fancy a cocktail Pina Colada, Mojito or Mai Tais are around 200-250 Baht.

OK, back to the wonderful view

The late afternoon traffic is starting to build up.

Open from 6 pm to 1.30 am.

Compared to many of the other Bangkok Sky bars drink and food prices are quiet reasonable starting at B120 for a Singha beer.

The city lights are coming on

In my opinion enjoying a cold beer or a Margarita & watching the city lights come on in Bangkok is the perfect way to spend an evening.

Pra Khanong district

Pra Khanong district is a middle class residential area rather than a commercial district.

Only 12 minutes by Sky Train from Nana.

I usually stay in Soi 11 Nana and it only takes 12 minutes by Sky Train to get to Pra Khanong station. Then take exit 3 and walk 5 minutes along Sukhumvit to the Sky Walk Condo.

As you can see the restaurant is stunning

A small beautifully designed intimate room with chandeliers to add to the opulence.

Well worth a visit

On this occasion I dined elsewhere however I certainly will return to Cielo try out the intimate restaurant.

Casa Teo

This restaurant looks very interesting indeed, it’s located at the front of the Sky Walk condo. Check them out on Facebook.

Lovely colourful fountain.

Also located in the forecourt of the Sky Walk condo, thanks for visiting my Cielo Sky Bar Bangkok photo blog.

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

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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Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

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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

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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Sydney Harbour

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Pattaya live webcam

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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

Sydney Paris Bangkok

Tokyo Rio De Janeiro Budapest

London Beijing Capetown

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you

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

Plus free cancellation .

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

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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That’s all folks

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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.

Here are some more posts to check out

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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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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

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

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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.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Pattaya live webcam

Dotonbori in Osaka

Piss Alley Tokyo

Oyster bar Sendai

Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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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

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.

Pattaya live webcam

Dotonbori in Osaka

Piss Alley Tokyo

Oyster bar Sendai

Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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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.

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

Pattaya live webcam

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

Check out these great photo blogs.

Dotonbori in Osaka – Piss Alley Tokyo

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Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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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.

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

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

Pattaya live webcam

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

Pattaya live webcam

Dotonbori in Osaka

Piss Alley Tokyo

Oyster bar Sendai

Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

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.

My new friend

Made sure I always had a JD & lots of food. 🙂

Daikichi

I tried to look up the meaning of Daikichi & got several different explanations. 🙂

Hiroshima city food transport

One of my best dining experiences so far on my seven Japanese cities adventure.

So many interesting bars & restaurants in Hiroshima.

In fact it’s a case of so many bars & such little time. 🙂

Hiroshima city food transport

Wandering through the back streets is a marvelous experience in Japan, I don’t know of any safer country except perhaps Singapore.

Hiroshima at night

In all Japanese cites there is always lots of neon lights.

A happy group of tourists

Japan is a place where you can’t help being happy.

Even this old fellow looks happy

He seems to have a large collection of colourful dolls.

A typical corner bar restaurant near my hotel

You don’t have to walk far in Hiroshima to get a cold beer or some food.

Opposite my hotel

The bridge take you to an elevator down to the underground arcade to the station.

Toyoko Inn

My hotel is in a perfect location close to the station and a short walk to the major Hiroshima shopping area.

Underground plaza

From the railway station you walk through this underground arcade which brings youout about 80 meters from my hotel.

Good band playing in the plaza.

Good band playing in Hiroshima shopping mall

As well as entertainment there are coffee shops etc here.

Toyoko Inn

Location is perfect & very good room with free WiFi. For an excellent rate just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Hiroshima city food transport photo blog, please check out my Nagasaki city blog on THIS LINK.

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Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

November 21, 2016 by David Herd

Hiroshima-Castle r-constructed-1958-Japan-atom-bomb

Castle entrance

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958 after being destroyed by the atomic bomb on August 6th 1945. Originally built in 1590 and there is concrete bunker where the first radio broadcast originated after the 1945 atomic bomb.

Bridge across the moat

Originally there were three moats however today only the inner moat remains.

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958

The keep is a stunning five story 26 meter high building, very popular for selfies as you can imagine. 🙂

Let’s take a selfie

The selfie is nearly as popular with ladies as their handbag mirror. 🙂

I climbed the stairs to the top

From here you get a wonderful view of Hiroshima. This building is now a museum with an entry fee of 360 Yen, or $3.25 USD as at November 21 2016.

View from the top

Up to now I have been very lucky to experience terrific weather, so much better for taking photographs.

Hiroshima population is 1,196,853

Curiously there are 40,000 more females in the city than males.

Mountains in the distance

Hiroshima Castle is just north of the Atomic Dome and the Peace Museum.

The atomic bomb

Certainly one of the most horrific events ever in the history of the world. Please check out my photo blog on the Peace Memorial Park.

Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958, Museum

Many interesting exhibits in the five story museum.

Gold plated roofing tile

Roof tiles don’t get any fancier than this. 🙂

Dating back to the 16th century

I have never seen a better looking roof tile in my life. 🙂

A Samuri suit

I’m guessing this is what your well dressed Samuri wore in the 16th century, my apologies for the reflection on the glass cabinet.

Adjacent to the castle

Forgive me for not knowing the purpose of this gate & building adjacent to the castle.

One of the most interesting visitors at the castle

When a lady visits the castle she needs to dress to impress. 🙂

Many thanks for visiting my Hiroshima Castle reconstructed 1958 photo blog.

My highly rated hotel was in the perfect location next to Hiroshima station and close to tram & bus stops. For a discounted room rate & free WiFi just book through THIS LINK.

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46th level Sky Walk Condominium

Cielo Sky Bar Bangkok

Who is this guy?

Here we are at the bar

OK, back to the wonderful view

Open from 6 pm to 1.30 am.

The city lights are coming on

Pra Khanong district

Only 12 minutes by Sky Train from Nana.

As you can see the restaurant is stunning

Well worth a visit

Lovely colourful fountain.

Explore Japan in comfort

Tokyo was the start of my trip

Tokyo to Kanazawa 4 hours

How about the edible gold leaf?

Shinkansen Japan’s bullet trains Kanazawa to Hiroshima 5 hours

Cenotaph & park

Hiroshima to Kumamoto 2 hours 40 minutes

Three years to repair wall

Kumamoto to Kagoshima 2 hours

Wonderful smiling faces

Kagoshima to Nagasaki 2 hours

My favourite Nagasaki sign

Nagasaki to Fukuoka 2.5 hours

Craving a change of cuisine

Tokyo is a wonderful city

Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo

Sushizanmai

We both love Sushizanmai

The eel is absolutely fabulous

Tsukiji Sushi Teriyaki Tokyo

Many stores will cook for you

Everyone deserves a break

We say farewell to the Tsukiji market area

Lets take a 15 minute walk to Ginza.

Tokyo love buildings with a twist

The Ginza

You can buy anything in the Ginza

Kayo & I at a Spanish restaurant

Instead of Spanish I chose a busy noisy Japanese restaurant

Shumai?

This is more like it

So many restaurants

Tokyo Station

Adjacent to Tokyo Station

Akihabara

After 3 nights in Tokyo

That’s all folks

Oyama Shrine

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants

I stumbled on a little princess

Map of the city

People having fun in Central park

Wedding

Gorgeous girls

The bikers come to town

Kanazawa parking

Kanazawa railway station

Department store

Lunch boxes

Yakitori tour of Japan 🙂

Yakitori no Meimon Akiyoshi was the restaurants name.

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants, lots of chefs

Kanazawa shrines parks restaurants

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Gyokusen’inmaru Garden

Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle

Adjacent to the castle

Kanazawa Castle

Spectacular

The buildings look new

As usual built on a hill

Through the gate we go

Picture perfect

Not a cloud in the sky

I was so fortunate to have perfect weather

Japanese Garden Kanazawa Castle

Near Higashi Chaya District

Japanese drummers Geisha District

46^th level Sky Walk Condominium