Glimpses of Japan

I visited Kanazawa for a weekend trip in early December. It was the best time to see autumn colors. Including the famous Japanese garden Kenrokuen.  What I like about Kanazawa is that the city is compact and public transport is very convenient. Because of that, you can see most of the attractions within two days. I wasn't the exception. I could see most of the major attractions.  Beginning with 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, The signature piece of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is "The Swimming Pool." Reservation is required to get inside the pool.  Higashichaya District, which is a historic entertainment district with teahouses where geisha performed in the past, (now mostly turned into shops and restaurant/cafes) If you are Japanese sake enthusiast, Fukumitsuya sake shop is a must stop.  Nagamachi Samurai District, where samurai used to reside and now preserves traditional samurai residences very well,  Kanzawa Castle, Omicho Market, etc. In...

Having Kaga Cuisine is one of the best things to do in Kanazawa. With its history as a town, Kanazawa has many long-established restaurants and businesses, known for various luxury restaurants and Japanese confectionery shops.  Kaga Cuisine is a unique local cuisine where you can fully enjoy Kanazawa's ingredients from the mountains and the sea. I was lucky that I could get a table at Otomoro, one of the long-established Japanese luxury restaurants in Kanazawa. Otomoro is believed that it was established by a cook of the lords of the Maeda Clan, which means the tradition continues from the Edo period. I felt exceptional that I have the same dish with lords at that time.  The most basic dinner course came with nine dishes, plus rice, soup, and a dessert. That was a lot of food, and I had to ask them to put rice in a doggy bag. I was most impressed by their sashimi. It was tender, smooth, and melted instantly in my mouth. Since I had sashimi at Otomoro, I truly understood the me...