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Lauren

@nippondiscovery

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Consultant promoting travel throughout Japan. Board member @minkapreservationsociety Photo@walkingsean

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There is this house on Bainbridge Island, WA, where they take Halloween very seriously! People are coming from all over to look at these animatronics. No doubt some children will be permanently scarred. 🤣 #halloween2026 #animatronics #bainbridgeisland #boo by @nippondiscovery

Delectable sushi lunch today @sushi_hatanaka in Kanazawa. Nearly everything served came from the area; Noto Peninsula or Himi, Toyama, with its cold, deep water encouraging fat, happy fish. @kenya_takashima8 comes from a family of respected sushi chefs, and will be closing this place in December to return to the fold, @sushi_takashima from February. What made today’s lunch extra special for me was an unexpected course that brought back a flood of happy memories. The nodoguro, Blackthroat seaperch, steamed in sake. This was a signature dish at Taihei Sushi, one of the best in Japan, whose master passed away too soon about ten years ago. When we lived here in the mid-90s, and again when we returned in 2012, we went often, a worthy splurge! Thank you, Kenya san, for reminiscing with me! #sushi #kanazawa #懐かしい @gumstergumster by @nippondiscovery

It’s been too many years since I last stopped by the home and studio of Nishimura Shoitsu, one of Kanazawa’s most respected kin maki-e artists, but minutes into our visit the time fell away, and we chatted as easily as ever. Aside from the gray hair, he was unchanged, his energy and humor still very much in evidence. The work he does is meticulous and time-consuming, but the results are pure magic. It begins with a wooden form—could be a box or an objet—which is then covered with infinite layers of lacquer. Then the decoration begins; the careful application of bits of abalone shell, egg shell, gold, silver, and so on. One piece can take months — and endless patience. Recently, the insane increases in the price of gold have caused many artisans to find alternatives, relying more heavily on less costly materials. From what I could see, this has only inspired Nishimura san to get even more creative! #kinmakie #makie #kanazawa #japaneseartist by @nippondiscovery

I recently had the opportunity to write a short piece about Kanazawa for a local travel magazine. Part reminiscence, part walking guide, the writing really took me back to our first years here in the mid-90s. Have a look! (Link in bio or follow EyeOn Kanazawa) #kanazawa @eyeon_kanazawa by @nippondiscovery

by @nippondiscovery

I’m always on a search for excellent falafel, and I’m very happy to say I have found some in Kanazawa. @siu.coffee_veg absolutely nail it not only with delicious falafel, but the entire pita is chock full of flavor, vegetables, and sauces. A rich, dense fig cake with cashew cream was a perfect follow up, along with a zingy handmade ginger soda. All this in beautifully renovated traditional house with a lovely garden. @mehakaori and I will definitely be returning! #falafel #vegan #machiya #kanazawa #eatlocal by @nippondiscovery

Blue heron at dawn and a long skinny beach moose 😁. by @nippondiscovery

Bonded brothers. It’s this, sleeping in a pile, or fighting to the (almost) death. #cats #bondedcats #love by @nippondiscovery

We had quite the airshow on our bike ride: dozens of tombi (black kites, a medium sized hawk) rode the currents above us for a good 5 minutes before moving on. We’re right on the coast, so there’s good eating! #blackkite #tombi #鳶 #トンビ #notopeninsula by @nippondiscovery

The red spider lilies (also called equinox lilies, which is appropriate) are back, right on schedule. They seem to appear overnight, brightening things up. #ヒガンバナ #彼岸花 #notopeninsula #kominka by @nippondiscovery

Just Pat & Puukko! by @nippondiscovery

It’s been seven years since our village last had its summer festival, between Covid and the earthquake—even the recent flooding wasn’t going to stop it! It was also the first time for us to join in, and it was wonderful to see the joy on people’s faces. Most local matsuri (festivals) follow a similar program: the men and boys start early and work their way through the streets, pushing the mikoshi (Shinto portable shrine) and performing the Shishimai (Lion dance to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits). Along the way they stop for “hydration breaks,” so by the time they reach the final two stops, many of them are well oiled 😁. Anyone with skills (or, without) can have a turn on the taiko (large drum), the best that keeps it all moving. Eventually, the mikoshi is removed from the cart, and that’s when things really get interesting! Already looking forward to next year 😅. #matsuri @shibagaki_iitoko by @nippondiscovery