It’s my last day in Japan as I write this, and I’m going to miss it. We’ve been here for twenty-five days, which seems like a lot, but we've had a really great time. Yes, time really has flown by.
It’s been nice not having to worry about anything and just wandering around cities and going on adventures. It’s been nice disconnecting and being in a totally different time zone. It’s been nice spending time outside and walking until my feet hurt.
For the last part of the trip, we visited three additional cities we’d never been to: Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Yokohama.
First Stop–Kanazawa
After 2 weeks of pure sunshine (we were very lucky!), it rained for most of the time we were here, which was a bit of a bummer, partly because I didn’t pack an extra pair of shoes. Once mine got wet, it felt like I was walking on sponges, which wasn’t very fun. (Also, going into a shoe store with wet socks is a bit embarrassing; but yes, I’m buying a new pair when I get back!)
Luckily, there were tons of indoor things to check out, like the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, KAMU, which was like multiple mini museums with different artwork throughout the city (aka an art museum crawl), and Himito, an art gallery dedicated to Peel Art. Most of the art is made from fruit peel, using all parts of a grapefruit, from the skin to the peel. Above is an image of dandelions. It was wildly creative.
Second Stop–Shirakawa-go
This traditional Japanese village was about an hour’s drive from Kanazawa, so we spent the day there. Although it’s a little touristy with lots of groups, it was probably our favorite place that we’ve visited in Japan.
First, the weather was perfect. Second, we had the best food, from prize-winning pudding to soba. Third, I loved the open-air museum, which had 25 traditional buildings, like thatched-roof farmhouses, that we got to go inside to see how people used to live. It was just like stepping into another world. I always find that fascinating.
My favorite part of the village is that at 5:00 pm a song plays throughout the town, signaling that it’s time to go home now because all the shops and restaurants close at or before 5:00 pm. They kindly kick you out.
Third Stop–Yokohama
Traveling from Kanazawa to Yokohama took two trains and a taxi, so it took about five hours, which was nice to do on a separate day from our return flight. Now, when we leave, all we have to do is take a short taxi to the airport.
Yokohama has Tokyo vibes, but it’s on the water and less touristy. Our hotel was close to Chinatown, which is the biggest Chinatown outside of actual China. We had fun sampling different foods, like warm sweet sesame balls filled with red bean, black sesame, and yuzu.
We also did a lot of walking around and checking out more bookstores. We found some really good ones again. I was almost out of reading material, so I had a fun time stocking up.
Because it’s almost Halloween, some places have had decorations. Not a ton. But some. I enjoyed seeing them and even bought some to decorate our own house.
Conclusion
As you’re reading this, we’ll have just gotten back from Japan. This trip was so much nicer than our previous trip to Japan because my husband’s back health has been really good. Nothing like last time, when I had to call an ambulance because he was in so much pain. We did everything we wanted and spent a lot more time at cafes drinking tea and reading books.
But I am ready to get back into a routine. I want to write and finish my manuscript, and I wish we were there to celebrate the Brewers’ win. Go Brewers!!!
I don’t know when we’ll be in Japan again, but I can’t wait.
Book Talk
The Traitor of the Sherwood Forest is a medieval Robin Hood retelling about Jane, a poor young woman who wants more from life than marriage and children. With limited options for her future, she risks working for Robin Hood. After she passes his test, he places her as a cook in the King’s House to serve as his spy.
The only thing is that Robin values loyalty above everything and constantly tests those who have devoted their lives to serving him. Despite constantly having to prove herself to him and his associates, the more time Jane spends with Robin, the more smitten she becomes, which puts her new job, which she really likes, at risk, strains her relationship with her boyfriend, and hurts her budding friendships because she has to constantly lie and live a double life. It’s fun watching Jane get herself into a mess and seeing how she’s going to get out of it.
I just loved the character Robin Hood, who has much more depth than the Disney version. He’s charming yet cruel. He loves games and hunting prey. Jane might be his favorite hunt yet. Because it’s historical fiction, I also really enjoyed learning about the roles women played during this time and how they were often considered insignificant and invisible.
Happy spooky season,
Liza