Had a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel.  We even had ice cream with our meal (that was a first).  Left the hotel at 9 AM for a full day of touring Karazawa.  Our first stop was the Hakukokan Gold Leaf Center/Museum where we were given an overview of how they make the gold leaf.  We watched while the gold leaf was pounded down to 1/10,000 of a mm and then saw the finished product being trimmed.  We all got a chance to make a small lacquer tray with our choice of one of 6 designs. It was a five step process and was a  lot of fun. 

Next we went to an area of Edo era buildings that survived destruction during WWII.  We toured the ancient Nomura samurai house with its award winning garden.  We walked around the village where the streets have many left turns. We learned that this was to slow down invading samurai during an attack.  

Because it was very cold and more rain was coming, we toured the Kenrokuen Garden before lunch.  The cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom.  Since they have had a lot of rain, the ground was covered with various types of moss.  It looked like a lush green carpet.  We saw a young engaged Japanese couple in their wedding garments having their pictures taken although the wedding isn't until June.  

We drove over to the Omicho market area, where we had soup and pot stickers to warm up then went to Starbucks for a cappuccino.  Made a quick stop in the Higashi-chaya (tea house) district that was once a center for geisha girls and prostitutes.  The slats on the outside of all the windows are made so you can't see in but you can see out.  Went back to the hotel to rest before dinner.

Our typical Japanese dinner tonight was in the main train station.  It was a multi-course meal but other than eel nothing was too exotic.  In Japan, the soup and rice are served just before dessert.  Leaving on the train for Kyoto tomorrow.