The best Ramen

This ramen is by far the best one I have had while in Japan. I don’t remember all the components I chose and it’s all about the broth anyway, so you can’t go wrong. The broth is consistency of a clear soup and very deep in flavour but not too fatty. It is perfection! Place is called Ichiran.

Kanazawa

We were staying in Kanazawa only for one day and the plan was to see Kenrokuen garden and if we have time the area where the samurai lived. So, on the way out of the hotel my camera fell on the floor and the lens protective glass cracked, which is not that big of a deal. The problem was that I couldn’t remove it from the lens because the side that hit the floor got pushed into the lens plastic part and was stuck. I started crying the moment I saw what happened and even now when I know that it ended good in the end, it still makes me sad. Anyway, I tried to remove it, which was scary because the cracked glass could brake if I push too much. So, we went out to look for a camera shop but since it was Sunday most of the shops were closed. So imagine me standing on the street, crying, holding my camera.. how dramatic does that sound :D Then two boys came up to us and asked if we need help. They didn’t speak English so we communicated via google translate, which doesn’t always work that well. Long story short-they have spent around two hours with us, taking us to a friend that knows about cameras but couldn’t help and in the end we ended up at a mall where a guy that makes the photos cracked the protective glass and somehow managed to keep the lens undamaged. The weight that was lift off my shoulders… We offered to thank the boys for all the help but they wouldn’t receive anything. I am forever grateful!

Kenrokuen garden-one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

On the way to the samurai district.

So peaceful. I absolutely loved the afternoon light in the garden.

We stopped at a random place for lunch and of course I had to get ramen.

We decided to go back to the hotel a little earlier than usual. We were traveling the next day and I felt exhausted after everything that happened with the camera.

The hotel we were staying at, right next door to the Louis Vuitton (totally unintentional :D), had a pastry chef working there, displaying chocolate figures and cakes. I chose a cheese and apricot one which tasted like something I would have eaten in my childhood. That made me smile!

M

Tea ceremony and an unforgettable geiko/maiko show

Morning tea ceremony. I love tea and during the stay in Japan I learned to like the taste of their green tea. Japanese collect the tea leafs while they are jung so the taste is different to the “regular” green tea or the one I know. This tea is very good for the skin and judging by the way Japanese look it must be working :D It doesn’t have as deep flavour as the green tea I am used to but is more light and stronger in taste. Back to the ceremony.. it was very calming and relaxing. The lady that was demonstrating was explaining every move she was making, it was all very feminine and beautiful to watch. Part of the ceremony is that everyone drinks tea from the same cup and that I didn’t really like. However, I would recommend trying it out as the experience was unique.

Walking in the old parts of Kyoto.

Ramen, again! :D So good!

Midday geiko/maiko show. Listening to the sound of shamisen and looking at the geishas performing.. This was like out of a movie experience!

On the way…

Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka street. I love the architecture-very authentic Japanese and all the cute shops.

Evening in Kyoto. 

M