Pat

Retired. Have time for the things I love: travel, my cat, reading, good food, travel, genealogy, walking, and of course travel.

Sacred Islands, Floating Shrines and Soaring Ropeways

9 Oct 2025

Sadly, too little time in this city. From man hole covers to street art and lively socks, Himeji invites one to stay, play and explore.

I walk across the street to enter the modern, sparkling clean train station. The Shinkansen arrive and depart in time, on the minute. We stand in line waiting for the arrival. Soon, I discover, one has not lived until you experience a illegal Train speeding through the station at 200+ an hour!

We depart Himeji and continue by the Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima. The towns and industries are interspersed with long tunnels through the mountains.

The ride is short and fast: 150 miles, 3 stops, 59 minutes. One does not a sense of speed as the train rides so smoothly and quietly. How I wish the U.S. would invest in the infrastructure of highspeed trains. Actually, invest in trains in general. 

(more…)
By Pat, ago

Gates, Geiko, and Green Froth

5-6 October 2025

With the morning comes cloudy skies and light rain. Our new guide, Jun, leads us through a tiny portion of Omicho Market. 

Omicho (also called Ōmichō Ichiba) is Kanazawa’s sprawling fresh-food market, known by locals as Kanazawa’s Kitchen. It has operated since the Edo period (1721) and features over 170 stalls and restaurants.  

(more…)
By Pat, ago

Kanazawa in Three Acts: Samurai, Teahouses, and Gold

4 October 2025

Kanazawa’s history began in feudal times as the seat of the Maeda clan, one of Japan’s wealthiest and most powerful families. The Maeda ruled the Kaga Domain, which rivaled even Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) in culture, wealth, and sophistication. Their influence shaped Kanazawa into a city of refinement, arts, and meticulous design. It seems to have retained that atmosphere.

Kanazawa Train Station

Today, the city is a mosaic of well-preserved historical districts, each offering a different glimpse into its past. The Higashi Chaya District teems with traditional teahouses where geisha once entertained, while the Nagamachi Samurai District showcases narrow lanes and elegant homes of samurai. Both districts transports one back to the Edo period. Add in the serene gardens of Kenrokuen and the old markets, and you have a city that feels both frozen in time and vibrantly alive.

(more…)
By Pat, ago

From Mountain Roads to Saké Flows

3 October 2025

Scenery consists of mountains, trees and yellow rice fields under cloudy skies

Today, we depart via bus. Ultimately, we will travel about 72 miles northwest reaching the Sea of Japan, which, in China, is still the Japan Sea. We plan a couple stops in between. In the meantime, I see more mountains and more trees. Many more mountains and many, many more trees. So green! Everything and everyone seems to be preparing for winter.

(more…)
By Pat, ago