Reminiscing about a trip to Kanazawa!

I recently found a journal page that I created almost a year ago about my trip to Kanazawa, a city on Japan’s east side that’s often called “little Kyoto” because of its rich culture and great food, especially seafood. Some of my favorite memories are from walking through Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens. It’s a peaceful spot with neatly trimmed pine trees and quiet ponds, which is truly picture-perfect. Also, wandering around the old Nagamachi Samurai District and the Higashi Chaya District really feels like stepping back into the Edo period, with samurai lords' residences and old wooden teahouses. Kanazawa’s mix of calm atmosphere, fresh seafood, and modern art makes it both relaxing and interesting to visit.

Everywhere in Kanazawa was picturesque, and I took hundreds of pictures, but what I wrote and created in my journal is still my favorite and a piece I enjoy revisiting. Writing about trips in a journal is an analogue way to disconnect from the digital world. Describing the scenes, people I met, and pasting the handmade map the hotel clerk gave me preserves intimate memories that come alive whenever I open the journal.

.*Materials I used for journaling:

• Double tips felt pens from STAedtler

• Cutouts from the magazines.

• Graphic Stickers.

• Graphic rubber stamps.

• Print-outs of travel photo I took.

• Background music

• Green Tea and candy from Japan

Yes, writing about trips in a diary or journal is a widespread practice that has seen a notable resurgence in 2025 as travelers seek "analogue" ways to disconnect from screens. It is considered one of the most popular types of journaling due to its ability to preserve intimate memories that digital photos cannot.

Key reasons why travel journaling is interesting include:

• Capturing the Intangible: While cameras record visuals, journals preserve the sounds, smells, and tastes of a place—such as the scent of a local market or the specific melody of a street performer.

• A "Time Capsule" for Emotions: Journaling creates a record of how you felt during a trip, from the exhilaration of a discovery to the handmade map the hotel staff gave to me. Reading these years later provides an intimate connection to your past self.

• Sharper Observation: The act of writing forces you to slow down and notice subtle cultural nuances, architectural details, and small interactions that might otherwise be overlooked.

• Building a Practical Resource: Beyond memories, journals serve as a reference for future trips, containing names of favorite restaurants, hidden gems, and contact details for friends met along the way.

• Mindful Travel: Journaling serves as a form of "digital detox," forcing travelers to slow down and be fully present rather than just rushing to the next photo opportunity.