Japan Day 4 to 5: Noto, Ishikawa
Flew all the way to Noto Ishikawa via All Nippon Airways, ANA fo short. all of ANA’s flights in Tokyo originate from Haneda Airport, which is probably the only place you might find planes that look like this:
ANA’s pokemon plane.
Although the time it took to travel from Tokyo to our final destination at Kagaya Hotel, Noto Ishikawa took almost 5 hours, it was well worth the trip. When we got to the Hotel, I was suprised that they even went through all the trouble of putting up our national flags. I felt as though I was a visiting dignitary. lol
The Hotel was a highrise building, however the atmosphere inside the hotel was like that of a traditional Japanese Ryokan. but what made this particular destination famous was its onsen bath. unfortunately I couldn’t take my camera into the bath area to take pictures, in fear that I might get chased out of Ishikawa by a hundred angry onsen bathers. but still taking a bath in an onsen is something one should experience at least once in a lifetime.
Here are a few rules to observe when going into an onsen bath:
Slippers/Shoes shouldn’t touch the tatami floor
Onsen usually require people to bathe naked, a basket is provided for folks to leave their stuff in outside the bathing area.
Shower and clean thoroughly first before entering the bath.
Don’t pee in the pool. ^^
Once we got to our rooms, I was taken aback on how the place looks like a traditional Japanese inn. I thought places like this only existed in the pages of manga such as Ranma 1/2, Ah My Goddess or Love Hina.
Each room is assigned to an attendant who looks after the occupants needs, sort of a butler I guess. and yes I am avoiding the word maid . ^^ She helps out starting with teaching the hotel patron to wear a Yukata, sort of a casual Kimono. Note that one can even wear this garment walking around town as well.
accommodations also came with meals. and at the evening I was treated with dinner and a show…
as soon as I poked this abalone with my fork I realised it was still alive. not to worry though, they left it there to show that it was really fresh before cooking it. I however couldn’t eat this anyway since I’m allergic to shelled seafood. oh well.
And finally the spectacular view from our hotel room. a clear contrast from the view from our Tokyo hotel room.
