The best times I’ve experienced the best Japanese hospitality have always been when I travel far from the main tourist attractions, mostly in rural areas. But now, during the pandemic, with no inbound tourists coming even to major travel spots - I’ve been able to experience that same level of warmth and kindness even in more popular locations. Staying near the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa at surprisingly affordable prices, I could stroll through the quiet, empty streets. It feels like a blessing in the midst of all this uncertainty 1.
