Kanazawa

At our brief, overnight stay in Kanazawa, we visited the city’s highlight, the famous Kenrokuen Garden, rated as the third most beautiful garden in Japan. How such a thing is determined is a bit beyond me, even our guide in Miyajima laughs about the Japanese proclivity towards ranking everything—three best Shinto Shrines, the three famous Buddhas, the three hidden regions. Having said that, it was easy to see understand why this garden is rated so highly. Everywhere you turn, every vantage point can be wrapped in a picture frame. Unfortunately, my hopes at finding a tranquil spot to meditate were dashed as we got within a few hundred metres of the park: free Sunday admission during Cherry Blossom season. Imagine a quiet crowd at the Exhibition. Well, something like that, but with more high heels. Even so, the garden was as magnificent as the weather.

Pine tree older than confederation

This gives me a few ideas about our Scots pine in the backyard

On a Sunday stroll

It was a hot day

Traditional ladies enjoying the afternoon

Snacks