Happy New Year, I wish you a year full of trip and discovery.
Nanaoshi and Wakura Onsen will stay at one of my best memories of 2013.
 
The advantage when you decide to stay in a Japanese Ryokan, is that you have an entire city in the hotel.
Shopping is possible, lots of boutique from local hand-craft to local delicacy.  Plenty of restaurant, bar, theater, karaoke, hot spring, shrine, beauty salon and the ryokan is a museum itself with plenty of historical pieces of arts....And it is quite true regarding the Kagaya Onsen.
 
What could I expect more than an old and rustic little pottery shop to experience my first pottery-making.
It stopped sometimes between the 20's and the 40's, not good with timing the interior, but atmosphere was perfect for experiencing Japanese pottery. I just love it, the sensation, the touch, the "quatre-mains" (4 hands) making process.
 
We were delighted to visit a glass factory just after our early rainy walk at the Asaichi market of Wajiro, where we had the chance to see Japanese lacquer in action.
I just love visiting handy craft factory, and around Kagaya Hotel, there is many places like this, where you can try and make your own pottery, glass or lacquer plate.
Here some beautiful pictures made by my friend Antonio at the glass factory, also recommended when you are cold and do not want to spend much time outside.
 
Advices for women/girls. do not wear tights when you visit an Onsen town.
There is always public foot bath available, and believe me, specially if you are also wearing heals, you will be very pleased to enjoy and relax after a long day of walk.
Me on the picture, not happy cause I cannot take away my tights.....
 
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Hi!
As you might know, most of Japanese hotel and Ryokan, have yukata Japanese garment, a casual summer kimono usually made of cotton. They are most of the time white with ideogram blue for men and pink or red for women. You can wear it as soon as you check in, and can walk, have dinner, anywhere in the hotel, and even going out wearing it.
At the Kagaya's group ryokan I stayed in, there is a service of more sophisticated and beautiful yukata for ladies.
Here my first one. (i had a different one the second night)

 
Hi!

Some of you may wonder why we decided to visit Wakura Onsen and dedicate a blog/website to our 3 days trip there.
A brief Wikipedia intro as first explanation:
 Wakura Onsen (和倉温泉?) is a hot spring (onsen) resort located on the edge of Nanao Bay at the base of the Noto Peninsula in Nanao,Ishikawa, Japan. It one of several well-known, high-end onsen resorts in Japan. Wakura Onsen has existed as a resort for 1,200 years; it was originally discovered by a traveling priest who noticed an injured crane bathing its wing in the warm water.

Here, 2 main reasons, at least for me: a 1,200 years old onsen history, and a very Japanese and poetic explanation about its existence. Love the crane story, specially when you know that the crane is one of the strong Japanese symbol.

Keep tune as we still have many pictures to share with you.
 
Wikipedia explains better than me what is Kaiseki ryouri. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. The term also refers to the collection of skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals, and are analogous to Western haute cuisine.
We had the chance to eat 2 meals like this one. Food you cannot find at the supermarket. Fine art of the Japanese cuisine.

Back!

11/20/2013

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Back to the reality after these amazing 3 days at Wakura Onsen.
The suitcase is full of souvenirs, some will arrive later, as well tones of pictures to share with you.
Last day has been busy with the visit of the museum/ryokan of Kagaya and some pottery experience.  
Today,a beautiful Momiji (Maple tree at the autumn). My favorite season to visit Japan.


 

Just whaouh!