The amazing bullet train - while I’ve been before on my previous trip, it was such a joy watching some of my TC colleagues experience it for the first time. It was also the lovely Sarah’s birthday, which we celebrated over a hearty Japanese curry “set” lunch (such great value).

Afterwards, we spent the afternoon exploring the city on foot, from the peaceful beauty of Kenroku-en Garden, where shaved ice was the perfect way to cool down, to then wander past Kanazawa Castle and into the beautifully preserved samurai district.

Dinner was one of my highlights! Yakiniku, a Japanese BBQ where you cook at the table. I’ve always been pretty adventurous when it comes to food (cheese and tomatoes aside!), so I was very much living my best life here. The group had plenty of options to choose from, and I couldn’t resist some of the more unusual cuts I’ve been familiar with since a very young age. Delicious!

It was lovely to visit Kanazawa - it had a very local feel to it, a completely different vibe to Tokyo. I enjoyed it. A few of the gang wrapped up the night with karaoke - you’ll begin to see a pattern of this soon. When in Japan…