27.03 ✖ KANAZAWA, ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE

Rising before dawn to catch the Shinkansen (bullet train), our trip began with being greeted by a frosty landscape just 2 hours outside of Tokyo. It became very clear that spring had not yet made it up in the mountains. Luckily for us, Kanazawa had all signs that winter was over. Clear blue skies, sunny weather and maybe the biggest giveaway for spring in Japan; the bloom of cherry blossoms.

After wandering around the Kanazawa castle grounds, we arrived at a crossroad. It started with a game of janken (rock-paper-scissors) inside the men’s restroom where we decided which one of us got to use the high tech porcelain throne while the loser had to assume a posture of zen (squatting) to let the cow out the barn door. Being well versed in the arts of trickstery and deception from working as a substitute teacher, I niftily mind gamed myself to victory. The sweet taste of victory lasted for approximately 10 seconds until Joel said he just found a wallet inside his booth. I called hoax until his excited voice turned serious. Inside the wallet was 100 000¥ (around 1000 USD) and a ID card. We had been tested by the old gods and new.

Luckily for the elderly man who came running a few minutes later, accompanied by what seemed to be his two grandchildren, we seized the opportunity to repay the Japanese people and their kindness by returning the wallet and all its content to its rightful owner. Our karma accounts were boosted after being genuinely thanked by what seemed to be a never-ending sequence of bowing. Worth it.

“HONTOU NI ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA!” /RUN BOW.EXE -LOOP

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