Japan - Kanazawa & Kyoto - March 09

Day Eight. KANAZAWA. Arrived at Kanazawa at around 6pm and headed to our hotel - another Toyoko Inn. Discovered we could rent a laptop for 1000 yen and caught up on things online/ cleared the camera. For the first time during the trip we decided we wanted McDonalds, and I discovered the Japan Bacon Burger - which is far superior than any aussie McDonalds burger. We also succumbed to Starbucks because the rumours are true. The coffee in Japan is TERRIBLE. I have never tasted anything like it! Starbucks was actually likeable here - as long as you ask for double shots, otherwise you just get some milk with a bit of caffiene in it.

In the morning we headed to Kenrokuen Garden. Because it was the end of winter the start of the park - around the plum blossoms etc was not as beautiful as I expected, but once we got to the ponds and centre of the park it really was quite lovely. The sun came out and my bf tried to pat the curious fish in the ponds - they would come right up to you expecting food. Right next to the gardens there is the Kanazawa Castle site. This is free admission, but besides looking at the outside of the castle there is not much to do here (yet). I think the site has only just been changed from a University to heritage site so there hasn't been much preservation of the gardens & grounds. The Nagamachi Samurai District is also worth looking around, but to be honest my mind was still thinking of Hida Beef Buns and I couldn't really concentrate :P

That night we headed straight for Kyoto & another Toyoko Inn.

Day Nine. KYOTO. We headed to Nara for a little day trip from Kyoto. It was very easy to get to and the staff at the information desk at Nara station are very helpful. We were wondering if we had to catch a bus to see the shrines, but she drew a route on a map even with time estimates of how long it would take us, which were the must-sees and which were good for if we had extra time. You pretty much just have to walk down the main street from the station and then you hit a series of Shrines & Deer. The Deer were hilarious, if you hold their food above their heads they will bow to you! Watch out though, if you have anything in your pockets or hold the biscuits within their reach they will practically chase you and snatch stuff off you. I got a lovely photo of one of the deer headbutting my bf while he looks terrified. Its funny to see all the other tourists squealing and being chased as well.

The Todai-ji Temple is excellent. The sheer size of it is amazing, as is the buddha inside. Further along the path of lanterns is also beautiful. Deer are just absolutely everywhere as well, popping their heads around lanterns and in the shops.

To sum it up - Nara is a great day trip, highly recommended!