Kanazawa A Japanese Blog Inspired Trip

Years ago, I religiously translate-read a Japanese blog called I Live in Japan 7 by a girl who went by Y.

The blog portrayed Japan, in simple ways, through her (sometimes) complex thoughts.

Her writings were ageless (she herself seemed ageless), and I admired her tenancy to write In English.   One day Y wrote about visiting her grandparents who lived in Kanazawa over a long weekend. She wrote lovingly about her time there, her grandma, and their house. About visiting the market and buying Omiyage for her colleagues. She also wrote how her grandma sent her off with some Kanazawa delicacies to be eaten on the train (Ekiben) on the way back to Tokyo, where she was residing.

That one blog entry inspired me to visit Kanazawa, and there I finally was in Kanazawa.

The first thing to notice about Kanazawa is the train station. It’s pretty iconic. Following Y’s blog entry, I wanted to visit the Omicho market, but no such luck. Either it was closed on the day, or I was too late, or I didn’t follow the map correctly. 

We then stopped at Kanazawa palace and were delighted that Sakura was still blooming there! So we sat down for an impromptu hanami with gold leaf soft serve ice cream.  

Other memorable parts of my Kanazawa trip were the Golden Monkey and a meal of comfort for dinner in a random Izakaya in Kanazawa.

Kanazawa will always have a special place in my heart for the reason that prompted my visit to the place – a blog post was written in Japanese by a stranger.

Ps. I tried to find Y’s blog to link it here but couldn’t find it anywhere. I have emailed her. Hopefully, she will reply. Meanwhile, here is another blog about daily Japanese life I have been read-translate, called Non-Bendarari.