Omicho Market

Kanazawa's Pride

It is the largest fresh food market of the place.

Why do people need to visit wet markets?

What is there to see; to speak?

When the tour guide says we go; we go see.

If you cannot see any logic behind the visit; look into the finer qualities of how the Japanese live out their values.

 The moment we were led to the parking lot, we smelled discipline and orderliness. The vehicles, well parked in allocated space, showed how polite the drivers were. Our coach fell into the space too and we alighted with the same discipline.

On descent, we notice how well separated the garbage was; each according to its use. Then I noticed a special cigarette disposal container. They seem to think of the greatest details on earth.

Why am I showing this crossing space? It is because the polite drivers all stopped their vehicles in good behaviour allowing us to get across to the market. I was last but nevertheless they patiently waited for me.

It is not surprising to see herbs of all sorts being planted and displayed for locals and foreigners to appreciate. They are careful people; thoughtful too.

The calm morning was greeted by local vendors who were hoping to have the first business from us. Notice the ice cream figurines? Macha and wasabi ones are popular among us.

All along the walkway were stalls of this nature offering goods both sweet and savory. The sweet ones are indeed memorable but the savory ones can cause discomfort to sensitive stomachs as they are pickled.

The wet market is actually quite dry. Believe me when dad commented that he had yet to see a single fly hovering the uncooked meats and vegetables and it is summer by the way. The products must be fresh and well kept. It was a pleasant stroll just like the one in Kazakhstan except it was winter there then. If this is earmarked as a must see spot for the tourist industry in Kanazawa, it must then be a place to be worthwhile a visit. I am not sure if I want to bring anyone around the wet markets in Petaling Jaya.

Pork, beef and chicken are the main meats but not horse meat. Well packed and handled, the Japanese are a fortunate lot for maintaining high hygiene and cleanliness. It is such a pleasure to do marketing.

Surrounded by seas Japan is surely home to fishes of all kinds some of which we have never seen let alone name. The shell fish family ; crabs, lobsters and prawns are fresh and of top quality. Some fish species are alive and you get a swimming catch.

Salmon is really of top notch here; Japan being an exporter of it to the hungry world.

I believe this is the anchovy species. So gigantic and if we were to deep fry you can imagine the taste in your mouth. The catch in Japan is beyond compare.

Oh I was so amazed at the ice shaving machine seen here. It is old fashioned but nevertheless still in good order for use. Hahaha to see it here. They must be offering some ice cream shavings of local taste here. In the refrigerator are frozen sea food of a hundred choices; scallops included. Some of our tour mates bought but Mr Lau never believes in them; so nothing for me.

Mr Lau only believes in what he sees in front of him. So, the Omicho Market is another experience to be kept and blogged so that I will remember it in my older days.

Besides the wet market food, there were some other stalls offering clothes and foot wear for the local consumers. But "the made in Japan" products are still of commendable quality albeit sold in a not so up market ethos. I managed to get a couple of them for daily use and they look good !

The Omicho Market Expereince.

Kenrokuen Garden

The Garden

This is never to be a miss when in Kanazawa. Japan's third best looking landscape garden brought us excitement and thrill and the morning drizzle did not dampen our spirit. We wanted to so badly witness the best of Japan.

Covering  an area of 11.4 ha, Kenrokuen is a strolling-style landscape garden of the Edo period designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty on March 8 1922 and of Special Scenic Beauty on March 20, 1985.

So, be prepared to walk.

Thanks to the walk, we were able to cover our daily target of 10,000 steps.

 The entrance to the garden already impressed us with its proper stature and cleanliness.

As you stroll further pass one of the many gates, the trees tell tales and the age of the garden. The flora seems to exist here ever since and forever to come.

Roots are deeply implanted and trunks are thick and stable.

They must be very old.

We saw a special section allocated for one of the empresses and well defended.

Wood is the main building material ; light and easily built and replaced in the event of earthquakes . The Japanese are used to the calamity and rise up to the occasion to face any impending catastrophe. This is where home is; they don't run away but find ways to overcome it. 

We selfied and were proud of ourselves. When you have no one around you it is alright to behave young and foolish of course. But the cool, calm morning was a good change from the hustle and bustle of life,

The garden is home to the Koi and the species swam placidly without worries.

The fish is free of stress.

All species of flora bloom endlessly too.

Peace

 Serenity

Calm

I noticed the care taker. Not very young but diligent in her duty. She was weeding and making sure her plot is well looked after and kept. I suppose every plot is allocated a care taker and a silent competition may be on. Who has the best looking plot? Healthy competition is needed for any upkeep.

Kenrokuen Garden practises 6 virtues one of which is cleanliness. So, the beautiful garden so similar to the ones in Korea was truly a sight to behold. Am I glad we were there. You like me with the background? It is not cut and paste.

 I was really there.

Thank you dear God for the experience.

The Kenrokuen Experience.

Kanazawa

The town is 4 to 5 hours drive from Tokyo and perhaps this was the longest stretch on the coach for a day in the trip. But it was pleasantly easy and enjoyable as we went though the scenic landscape of the outskirts. It is exactly dad's forte for he would exchange anything for this experience. 

The countryside verses the city and the latter is the preferred one.

A rest area on the way to Kanazawa; the restrooms are typically clean .

Once again, the local treats are in town but no to our taste though.

 Some dried sea food for sale but it would be a hassle to bring home.

 Chocolates and the like and the big eggs are all locally produced and consumed.

Through the ride we could not but realise that Kanazawa is blessed by rich plains of rich soil so suitable for padi growing. In fact we were informed that the rice grade here is tops and the best in the country; of the white and starchy one.

We reached Kanazawa at dusk when the streets and shops were about to close. Unlike Osaka, Kanazawa is modern, adorned by new buildings that are stylish and contemporary. We were ushered into a modern hotel next to rows of shopping malls. But alas, the shops cease transactions at 8pm and we hardly had time to scout around. 

In serene Kanazawa, you will associate it with utter peace and quiet.

Cleanliness is assured and rest for the evening complete.

Oyasumi nasai, the locals greeted us.

Kiyomizu Temple

The Second UNESCO Heritage Site

To Kyoto, the city of a million people which used to be the old capital. The coach ride from Osaka to Kyoto was an hour's ride. Clement reiterated that the old city is ancient though not spared from earthquakes. The buildings here are no architectural feats as they are not high rise and built to off set threats from impending quakes.
The roads follow a grid pattern and the city is surrounded by hills and ginko trees are everywhere to be seen along both sides of the main roads. The bullet train passes the city and of course it is clean and hardly can garbage be seen.
In Japan, the church building is a rarity and in fact not seen by us. The ancient temples are everywhere in sight and so our next destination again was to visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple of Kyoto.

Sited on a hill, walkers have to stroll a km or two before reaching the temple. At 10 am, the crowd was already coming in full force and it was again squeezing through human jams. Like walking up the Penang Kek Lok Si, you will sweat and puff. But it was a good walk to see what people of old had constructed and believed in.

I should think that some refurbishment has been done as the building looks new and bright from the outside. The handiwork has to be maintained as not only is it a money churner, it is also a place of worship for the Japanese.

 The architecture is quite similar to the temples of Korea as they are quite nearby and are of Chinese origin. The Japanese Language has used the Han letters to connote and communicate and both the Chinese and Japanese Languages are so interlinked. One need only to see the main Han character to understand enough to get by in Japan.

 From afar, the Kiyomizu Temple stands tall and majestic reflecting the works of old and till today still stand good. 

The panaromic view from the top is truly eye catching.

Notice the support that is built to hold the temple. It is an engineering feat and art. Dad could not help but admire the roof feature that has been installed and at the present undergoing refurbishment.

Nature is so beautiful here.

Of course, the Japanese cannot be apart from the holy water that runs down from natural streams. people thronged there to hold water, drink and cleanse themselves. This is so indigenous in Japan.

 We had our Bento lunch again. Second time running and we are still for it. We wondered at sushi and the other mouth watering cuisines that we ate at home. When are we going to be served that?

After lunch, it was again going round the shops and taking photo with girls in Kimono. 

 The sweets.

 Japanese craft is polished. Good quality and no compromise. Just make sure you buy a Japanese locally made one instead of one made in big China. The price is a contention too; very expensive what with the Ringgit's position.

Truly Japanese and truly nice too.

 Yes, the hat is a good shade.
How do you like my blouse?
I sewed it myself last year when I first retired.
 I was up to it to conquer sewing feats.
It is very Japanese right?

Enroute to Kanazawa, we stopped by Lake Biwa, the largest Japanese lake and the third largest in the world and took the love photo.

To Kanazawa.