The ancient house of a Nomura samurai

Our inaugural day in Kanazawa commenced with a delightful stroll from our hotel, conveniently located next to Kenrokuen Park, to the Nomura Samurai house—a mere 20-minute walk away. The persistent jet lag reminded me that perhaps I should be snugly tucked into a warm bed rather than wandering about. Consequently, we made a pit stop at Starbucks for a much-needed coffee fix. Their espresso, I must admit, is commendable. In Japan, where drip coffee reigns supreme, this deviation was both necessary and satisfying.

Still feeling a tad peckish, we indulged in some nigiri from one of the many Japanese convenience stores dotting the streets.

Just before the Nomura samurai house, we stumbled over a surprise garden of splendid beauty.

Yasuko is an excellent tour guide…