I've been writing a lot recently about my first stay in Komatsu. It was such a wonderful place to experience living in Japan for the first time. As I've been revisiting those memories, more and more stories keep coming back to me.

One place that immediately came to mind was Yū no Kuni no Mori, which translates as "The Forest of the Hot Spring Country."

I first visited in 1997, during my early years in Japan, and what I expected to be an interesting day trip turned into something much more memorable. Looking back, it was one of the places that deepened my appreciation for Japanese artisanship and aesthetics.

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A few weeks ago I shared some memories of visiting the Hanibe caves when I was living in Komatsu. Around the same time, I also spent a lot of time exploring another of the area's best-known attractions, Natadera Temple.

The two places could not be more different. Hanibe is quirky, unexpected and a little surreal. Natadera, on the other hand, is peaceful, beautiful and one of those places that makes you stop and slow down for a while.

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When I lived in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, in 1997, one of the things I loved most was stumbling across places that made me think, "Only in Japan."

The Hanibe Caves definitely fall into that category.

Tucked away in the hills about 20 minutes from Komatsu Station, the caves are one of the strangest and most memorable attractions I've visited in Japan. Before you even enter, you're greeted by a giant Buddha head emerging from the hillside. It looks like it could wake up at any moment and go battle Godzilla.

Inside, things get even more interesting.

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If you’re looking for a winter destination that feels like stepping into a living postcard, Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a must-see. Known as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Kenrokuen is a masterpiece of landscape design, blending elegance and harmony in every detail. Visiting in winter adds a special layer of beauty that few travelers experience.

One of the most iconic sights in Kenrokuen during winter is the yukitsuri, the graceful bamboo supports that protect the garden’s pine trees from heavy snow. These conical structures, radiating from the tree trunks like delicate spokes, are both practical and poetic. They prevent branches from breaking under the weight of snow, but they also create a stunning visual symbol of Japanese ingenuity and seasonal care. Seeing these supports against a backdrop of snow feels like witnessing a centuries-old tradition come alive.

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