There are two bad things about going to Japan at the end of the year. First is that many eating places are closed except for the chain places.
The second is that all shinkansens out of Tokyo before the new year are full and all rides back to Tokyo are full afterwards. Our only hope was to go early and line up at an unreserved seat carriage (pictured above) to ensure we got a seat for the 2 hour 40 minute ride to Kanazawa.
Being from a country that doesn't normally snow, we were excited to see snow covered mountains on the way to Kanazawa. This was my first time on the hokuriku shinkansen and was disappointed to learn that there are no smoking rooms.
Arriving at Kanazawa station, we checked into Toyoko Inn which was a stone's throw away.
Unfortunately, our trip did not coincide with the Kanazawa castle light up.
My friend Yoshi recommended we go to Maimon Sushi and we were happy that there was one at the station.
Waiting in line for the sushi.
However, it wasn't any good. I even ordered an extra chutoro and it was ok but nowhere near Magurobito levels. Ran into Yoshi on the way back from Japan and he said I should have gone to the main shop. Oh well.
The other side of Kanazawa Station. So what to do after lunch? Look up the nearest Book Off and walk 30 minutes to it.
It was a very nice Book Off and I should have taken a picture of it since it took forever to walk there. We kicked and stomped every patch of snow on the way to the Book Off.
Toho Project figures at the book off with pretty good prices.
The more expensive retrogames section. Felt sorry for making gf follow me on my retrogame hunting but luckily she found some nice things at the Book Off.
Stopped at this shopping centre on the way back to the hotel to get an umbrella as it was raining.
Love Hotel. I have no idea why they like to make them look like European mansions.
Back to Kanazawa station.
We spent a considerable amount of time walking around trying to find a yakiniku that was open to no avail.
We must have spent at least an hour walking before heading back and going to this standard izakaya that was close to our hotel.
It was pretty standard and they were slow but can't complain when most shops were closed.
That being said, as long as there's chicken skin I can't complain.
It was New Year's eve and we had ask the dude the information desk at Kanazawa station if there were any events but he said no. Next post will be day 2 of Kanazawa where we go to a shrine for New Years and Kanazawa castle.
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