Just when we thought the weather could not get any worse it did. As we were
boarding the bus we experienced, all in the space of five minutes, snow, rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lightning. Our guides had to scramble around and find an indoor activity to substitute for our walk through the samurai quarter. Instead we went to the Museum of Folk Art which was interesting enough. I especially liked the highly decorative lacquerware.
We then headed out of Kanazawa to our next destination, Obama. While the name of the town has nothing to do with the former president, they have adopted him as a sort of mascot and pictures of him are everywhere. A refreshing change from home, I must say.
We stopped for lunch at a highway rest stop. Here we put money in a machine, chose a picture of what we wanted to eat, and the machine spit out tickets which we handed to the vendor. Soon my bowl of ramen and plate of gyoza appeared. They also had a Starbucks, so I indulged in a tall mocha for dessert.
Just outside Obama we stopped at a Buddhist temple dating to the 8th 
century. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but the thousand-armed Buddha statue was impressive. What was also fascinating was that the building was built without nails. This closeup shows the detail of how the wood pieces are just fitted together like Lincoln logs.
Once in town we dropped our luggage at the hotel, said goodbye to the bus and walked to our next appointment at a food museum. Here we had a craft lesson in making paper and later looked at all the plastic models of Japanese food.
We walked back to the hotel along the beautiful harbor in a bay which opens to the Sea of Japan. Our hotel here is a traditional Japanese Inn, with tatami mats and futons for beds. I am sitting here on a small stool as I type, which in my humble opinion is the only saving grace in the furnishings. Yes, I’m looking forward to returning to a modern Western hotel tonight.
Dinner was quite an affair. We sat down at the table set with a whole crab, soba noodles, a fish hot-pot to cook in front of us, rice, with octopus already steaming away, pickles, and sashimi. Next, they brought out a whole grilled fish, and egg custard dish, tempura, miso soup with seaweed, and a gelatin dessert. Just when we thought it was time to go they brought out a birthday cake for one of our group members. I was very happy to retreat to my futon.
Haiku:
Deep resounding bell
Buddha with a thousand arms
Ancient place of peace.