I visited lesser-known parts of Japan. The trip taught me to say ‘yes’ more.

Some days, life goes your way. Other days, AI steals different customer from your contented trading roster while your French bulldog is undergoing a $2,500 corneal ulcer treatment, and rent is owed connected the first.

So erstwhile times are tough, I've recovered that saying "no" rolls disconnected the lingua rather smoothly — to fancy dinners, performance tickets, and astir disappointingly, world travel.

That was, until an connection to visit Japan for the first clip fell successful my lap. So, against my amended judgment, I said "yes" and joined a group of American women invited to study astir 2 lesser-known regions successful Japan: Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures.

Embracing the section culture

After spending 8 days walking and eating my measurement done Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, I hopped connected a high-speed train to Toyama Prefecture, astir 120 miles northeast of Kyoto.

Off the bat, Toyama reminded maine of the lush and scenic Pacific Northwest. And overmuch for illustration the PNW, there's a beardown section civilization surrounding food, imbibing, and the arts — successful fact, astatine a solid museum, I unexpectedly discovered an grounds by renowned Washington-based solid creator Dale Chihuly.

During my 3 days successful Toyama, nutrient was a awesome portion of the experience. My first omakase luncheon included endless rounds of sushi courses pinch caller seafood from Toyama Bay — I squeamishly devoured a head-to-tail deep-fried ayu sweetfish.

The adjacent time brought a section travel to a whiskey distillery in Tonami, astir 40 minutes westbound by car, which included a circuit (I was amazed to perceive they usage barrels imported from Kentucky) and a Japanese whiskey-blending experience. While I'm by nary intends a whisky connoisseur, I enjoyed learning astir the science.

I've spent galore years indulging successful Michelin-rated good eating successful Miami, but my last luncheon astatine L'évo successful Nanto, a scenic hourlong thrust southwest and a edifice awarded 2 Michelin stars successful 2021, was conscionable arsenic memorable. I hesitantly tried section achromatic carnivore and soft-shell turtle — albeit delicious, the second near maine emotion a spot guilty.

Discovering the slow side

Next, we ventured to Kanazawa, 40 miles southwest of Toyama by high-speed train. Over 5 days successful Ishikawa Prefecture, I slowed down and spent clip pinch section artisans who were dedicated to preserving their crafts.

In Kanazawa, I visited the location of a maestro coach from the samurai line. I stood successful awe, nervously holding a 200-year-old beard from the Edo period.

My soul Black Mamba (circa "Kill Bill") kicked successful erstwhile I was asked to get into azygous and wield one. I besides went to a three-generation kimono shop to spot the makers down the scenes, and I cautiously but graciously tried connected a vintage $30,000 kimono — it was 1 of the highlights of my trip.

From Kanazawa, I ventured to Kaga for my first traditional ryokan stay, wherever sleeping connected tatami mats alternatively of a mattress wasn't arsenic uncomfortable arsenic I expected.

I besides visited the homes of respective section artisans. First, I met an creator and washi insubstantial shaper whose hubby taught ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Working pinch florals from the surrounding grounds was measurement much invigorating than visiting Trader Joe's, my emblematic supplier. The duo reminded maine of couples I mightiness person crossed paths pinch during the years I lived successful Colorado.

After Kaga, I ventured to adjacent Nomi City, location to a porcelain master, whose daughter, Reiko, guided maine done the much diligent creation of fine-line reddish painting. Even though I emotion arts and crafts, I overmuch for illustration coloring extracurricular the lines.

At the extremity of the trip, I returned to Kanazawa to statesman the travel backmost home. Although I was tempted, I couldn't spend to dainty myself to the $30,000 vintage kimono, truthful I splurged connected a plush $130 edifice clothes and a $17 rooftop cocktail instead.

After all, a discuss tin still beryllium a type of "yes" successful disguise.