Great Toyama and Kanazawa, spring in 2015.

As things got so messed around me, I really thought going somewhere to make myself relaxed. Maybe driving a car. Maybe having some fresh sushi. That’s why I took my ordinary black backpack packed with clothes and stuff, threw it in a rented car, then left for a three-day trip.

Heading to the northwest, my destination was Hokuriku area, famous not only for many historical towns and streets, as well as delicious foods such as sake, fish and crabs along the coast. Although bullet trains from Tokyo has been available since last month, I preferred to drive myself, as always :)

As you can see the photo below, they still looked like winter on the way. It’s natural that made me surprise, because in Tokyo, we didn’t need any winter clothes anymore, we could even go out with T-shirt in a daytime.

 Before getting to the place to stay, I drove to my favorite sushi restaurant. I don't remember how many times I spent having so nice sushi here, but I do remember it was my daily routine when I stayed near the restaurant two years ago, 2013. It's so hard to believe we can taste such fresh sushi at only $10 (And you can get soy soup too!).

 After that, I decided to walk along the shore. I found a sake factory there, and stunned when I took a glance a street nearby. It was a whole bunch of bottled sake waiting for the next process: shipping. Nobody was around, and it seemed no one even attempts to steal them. Some clerks showed up every now and then, but they looked nothing to worry about. That's why I love this little wonderful place :)

 Toyama is so cool place for me. Not crowded like in Tokyo, there are sophisticated buildings and parks. If they hadn’t had a huge amount of snow in the winter, I’m sure I’d live there!

 The next sunny morning, I took an hour drive to Kanazawa city, which has beautiful historical town. Unlike other parts of Japan, Kanazawa didn’t have much damage during the Second World War. Many architectures are still remained as is. A big fan of old architectures like me, I couldn’t miss it! The best thing is that most attractive places are located just near the Station of Kanazawa. You can visit them on foot or bus. Me? I visited them all on foot! I like taking a walk in uncommon places, and it was 10km that day, for the record :D Fresh sushi in a fish market, taking a rest in a tiny old cafe in the middle of a historic district, so nice.

 Also, I was so happy to see cherry blossoms in this trip. Since it was already over in Tokyo. I was too busy to see them this year, thus I had thought I had to wait for the next year. However, here it was! It must be a great way to visit northern cooler area to go after that pink beautiful flower :)

 On my way back to Toyama, I headed to a world heritage village Goka-yama "五箇山". It's been several years since I went last time, and I was fascinated at that time. Can you see big roofs with thatch? It's because they have to keep snow piled up during the winter: It's not unusual that the amount of snow falls becomes a few meters. I bought five red turnips in the village to make pickles. Finding a quality of vegetables and fish while traveling is my big pleasure, and I love so much wandering to discover it ;)

 As I drove back to Tokyo, the express way gradually packed with cars coming home like me. It's always not easy to deal with this dense population city, however, I can handle it as long as I can go and take breaks like this trip :)