13. Timeless Japan: Kanazawa and Kyoto

Kyoto and Kanazawa are unique because they were largely spared from WWII bombings, becoming havens for people escaping Tokyo. Today, they preserve some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes and traditional architecture, making them essential stops on my trip.

I took an 8-hour bus from Tokyo to Kanazawa, on Japan’s west coast, where I checked into a perfectly located hostel with great staff.

Three nights gave me enough time to explore the highlights: the historic Samurai and Geisha districts and Kenroku-en, which is ranked as one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. It was incredibly relaxing to explore everything on foot, a welcome change from Tokyo’s complex train system.

On day four, I hopped on a 5-hour bus to Kyoto for a 4-night stay. Having visited Kyoto with Tangel Trio last year, I used this trip to see what we missed the first time around: temples, shrines, and long city walks (whenever the constant rain allowed!).

I walked about 5 to 6 hours every day, barely touching the subway or bus. It has been a fascinating week soaking up Japanese culture and food in these quieter, more traditional cities.