Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[drron]

We then caught the bus back to Omicho market but neither of us were feeling hungry.So we went through the Department store that was at the bus stop.Once again the basement was fascinating.Many veggies come in small sizes just perfect for us these days.

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I love funghi and they certainly had a great variety.

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And this is what a $160 bunch of grapes looks like.

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We decided then to wander down a shopping street back to the station. Perfect a street fair was also happening.

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And a cute but stand offish dog. It didn't want any attention and refused to be patted.

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[drron]

Once again we came upon a jazz performance. This time there was info posted so we knew we were listening to the "Chatting Edge".

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They sounded good, had just started their performance so we took seats at the side and watched.They were again good but I preferred the first group.

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A few features of the building they were performing at.

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[drron]

Some other things seen in the shopping street.

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This was an exhibition of Japanese chess with senior players taking on all comers.This little fellow never took his eyes off the board,moves were made quickly and he had his opponent thinking. We were told he was 10 and highly regarded for his ability.
This part of the street ends here but at right angles is another shopping street.

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Some old style Japanese houses.

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[drron]

This street though was mainly restaurants.

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A side street and several coffee shops all keen to impress that their coffee really is freshly ground.

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Possibly a few big drinkers in these parts? I was going to help out but they were closed.

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[k_sheep]

I've got to be super careful when I'm in Japan next year to not accidentally buy $100 fruit! You're making me nervous!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I've got to be super careful when I'm in Japan next year to not accidentally buy $100 fruit! You're making me nervous!

Yes ! Fruit is very expensive !!! But we still go look at the supermarkets just to see the boxed melons and a bunch of grapes in a basket Definitely visit a supermarket if you can - it is a real eye opener and lots of OMG moments

 

[drron]

So the last of our first day in Kanazawa.Nice flowers and a restaurant with kegs not bottles.

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Street art.

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It had been a long day and mrsdrron felt like something simple such as pizza.The closest restaurant at the station just happened to be a pizza and pasta restaurant so there we went.OK pizzas though not great.Back to the hotel, a quick look at the lights-

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-and off to bed as tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

 

[drron]

An early start.At breakfast everyone was given 2 big grapes. No idea why.

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Then I had eggs benny with some extras.

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We were heading to the Ken rokuen gardens.It opens early so we wanted to get there before the hordes arrived.So a JR bus just after 0800.Met a Sydney woman on the bus. Mrsdrron noticed she left her camera on the bus so reunited it with her.
Now the gardens are great for us Seniors as we get free entry.On top of that the lady at the entrance gave mrsdrron a little bag of paper cranes.We last visited here in cherry blossom time.We knew it could not put on such a show but they did prove it is not only flowers that can add colour to a garden.

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[drron]

And there is always water.

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Shape and form.

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Not forgetting the trees.

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[drron]

Then there are lakes.

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And more funghi.

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And have I mentioned old trees?

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[drron]

Perfection.Water, form and an old tree being loved.

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And not forgetting statues.

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[drron]

And now a truly venerable old tree being lovingly cared for. One pine needle at a time.

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[drron]

So more shape and form starting with the famous Flying Geese bridge.

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[drron]

And reflections.

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[drron]

Some big fish in the lake.

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But the little ones need to be careful.

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The last of the gardens.

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The last time we were in Kanazawa we had icecream with gold leaf.Now gone further up market.

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[drron]

So we now wandered over to Kanazawa castle.Like many it has been rebuilt a few times and the actual castle is no more.But still what is there is typical of Japanese castle architecture.

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[drron]

Wandering around the grounds is free.A couple of sections have a charge to enter.We decided we didn't need to see them.

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A kite is circling.

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[love_the_life]

Wandering around the grounds is free.A couple of sections have a charge to enter.We decided we didn't need to see them.

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A kite is circling.

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The steps up to the last floor of the caste are sooooo steep, more like a ladder really, MrLtL went up when we were there last time but I deferred. Too steep for me.

 

[drron]

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[drron]

The steps up to the last floor of the caste are sooooo steep, more like a ladder really, MrLtL went up when we were there last time but I deferred. Too steep for me.

We have been through a few castles and always the last 1-2 levels have really steep stairs.I have managed in the past but have decided best not to attempt them any more.