Travel2Japan Winter, 2015 Volume 3 | Page 20

Hiyoshi Sake Brewery in Wajima. L-The store mascot is a Rakugo (Story Teller) R-The all-important sampling. We bought some! Heading north to Wajima, we enjoyed one of those Seinfeld-esque episodes where the main activity was based on doing ‘nothing’. Nothing but strolling, eating, saying hello to the locals, visiting the temple, looking at the sea and appreciating another side of Japan. For dinner we had incredibly fresh sushi at Sukezushi. The next morning we took the local bus to the 1000 rice fields--beautiful wind-swept terraces extending down to the sea. And then back in town we wandered and photographed our way through the morning market, stopping to savour grilled squid, sample sake (at 8:00 am), munch crunchy pickles and chat with the vendors. It’s amazing how many had been to Niagara Falls! Top Left: representation of a demon on the roof-end of the local temple-with mouth open to bring in good spirits and at the same time, keeping bad spirits away. Top Right: Sushi-fresh and expertly prepared at Zukisushi. Bottom Left: The owner’s son chopping daikon to garnish sashimi dishes Bottom Right: Father and Son.