国内旅行: Tokyo to Hagi 6of6

Today was our last day and we left Honshu to go to Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku. Getting the train from Okayama to Takamatsu, it felt like entering a different world. I love the vibe to Shikoku (and the weather, blue skies and sun shining). The view from the train is amazing when crossing over onto the island.

Before we’d left, we picked up a couple of geographically limited food items from Okayama station. Setouchi is famous for lemons (amongst other things). The pancake was nice, I prefer normal Happy Turn (ハッピーターン, try them if you haven’t).

We were off to a ...

国内旅行: Tokyo to Hagi 5of6

It was a buffet breakfast at the hotel which had a section for making your own seafood rice-bowl. There was lots of choice but slim-pickings for the veggies.

Today saw us whizzing along on the train straight-across the middle of Japan, from west to east. It was still very snowy in places.

We arrived in Kurashiki which has the beautiful Bikan Historical Quarter. The overcast day only seemed to highlight that. It was crowded and this was off-season in early Feb, so be warned if you are going.

First stop was to Ohara Museum of Art. It was crowded but ...

国内旅行: Tokyo to Hagi 4of6

We’re still in Matsue and today we headed to the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum. I’d heard of him but never read any of his works (still haven’t but intend to) but it was still very interesting. The pictures below are of his old residence which is beautiful but freezing. Discounts for ‘foreigners’ as well. I always wonder how people can tell?

Still snow on the ground

After the museum, we strolled over to Horikawa Sightseeing Boat. You can see from the picture of the street above that it was a wet day – it was chucking it down ...

国内旅行: Tokyo to Hagi 3of6

We departed Hagi, bound for Izumo. It has a famous shrine – Izumo Taisha. It has a huge straw rope and was the birth place of Japan.

For lunch we went for soba and zenzai. Apparently it’s traditional (but where can’t you get soba in Japan?). It came with a little fortune and a sand charm.

Then we started strolling down towards the train station where there are lots of little souvenir type shops and kiosks selling food. We had honey ice cream.

Next, we hopped on the train to Matsue.

We’d just seen a programme the night before ...

国内旅行: Tokyo to Hagi 2of6

It was kimono class today but the teacher just dressed me, so not much was learnt. I’ve only ever worn a yukata before and that was nice and breezy. The kimono nearly killed me – it was so tight I could only take little, short gulps of breaths but not really breathe out. I was wrestled into it but I was a little too long. The kimono was my husband’s grandma’s who has sadly passed away now, but it was a nice memory and I hope if she was watching, she wasn’t too upset with my ungainliness.

I didn’t walk
...