Mike's Adventures: Wajima-City, Ishikawa, Japan

After spending a couple of nights in a very small hotel room in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, I headed off to the Haneda airport to catch an ANA flight to Noto. Noto is a beautiful part of the west coast of Japan in the state of Ishikawa. Specifically, I was going to spend time with my 1997 exchange student Hazuki, who lives in Wajima-City. Hazuki spent part of that summer in my house to experience life in the United States, tour the Oregon and Washington landscapes, meet new friends and improve on her English skills. I promised her back then that I would visit her home in Japan at some point, but we never set a year to do that. I got close in January 2001 when I make a business trip to Kanazowa, also in Ishikawa. Hazuki suprised me by finding me at Narita International Airport, but I had to make a quick getaway to Haneda Airport to catch the flight to Kanazowa. Hazuki had to remain in Tokyo to attend to her university studies, however, I was able to have dinner with her mom, dad and brother one night in Kanazowa, which was an interesting experience because they did not speak English, nor did I speak Japanese. We were constantly on and off the cell phone with Hazuki to translate for us, but it was a great time. Since that meeting, Hazuki has gotten married and has a 1 year old daughter. Finally, we got to meet again. :) Hazuki's Parents planned a party for my welcome to Wajima... here are myself with Hazuki and her daughter Itoshiki, which in Japanese means "the person who know love is all"...

Here is Hazuki with Itoshiki...

Hazuki's husband Eiji, Itoshiki (still a bit bewildered by this Western visitor), Hazuki and Hazuki's mom...

The whole gang... Hazuki's dad is the one next to me with the orange stuffed animal on his head... what a great guy! First on the left is Hazuki's cousin Natsuko, and to the right side are Hazuki's boss and his wife...

Nine years ago, I played tourguide for Hazuki's visit to the United States, and now it was her turn to return the favor and show me her beautiful part of the world. Wajima is famous for its Morning Market... one of the streets is completely closed off each morning (except on the 10th and 25th of each month) and becomes basically a place to buy and sell anything from trinkets to crabs to fish to shoes to clothing...

Eiji's grandmother also works at the market...

The rest of the day we spent traveling north along the coast out of Wajima...

That evening, I got to have dinner with all of Hazuki's co-workers...

Hazuki with Eiji's family...

Can't go to Japan without doing some Karaoke...

Itoshiki... the new girl in my life...

Mom and daughter...

Hideki Matsui, the Japanese national who currently plays Left Field for the New York Yankees is from Kanazowa, and here is where his museum is located. Hazuki's parents, knowing I am a Yankees fan surprised me by bringing Hazuki and I here one day...