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Now to turn the slant back from shirtless japanese samurais photographed at the shimane art museum, fighting over who found pauline's memory cards, to the delights of Matsue and Shikoku!
Matsue is a wonderful town worth at least a days visit or two. I've met so many lovely people; one from the USA who teaches in Matsue and has done for 4 yrs (!), several japanese who are happy to help a foreigner takes thoughtful photos at the top of the Matsue castle, you get the idea. I never remembered having so many positive experiences in dealing with humans in one short space, I love this place and how gracious the japanese are, the food id affordable and varied, the sights cultural and historical.
Before visiting the castle I went for a jog this morning - Mum you would be proud, I am not sore! It took in the art museum, boulevarde on Lk Shinji, and circled the grounds of Matsu castle, the 2nd oldest i Japn at aprox 400yrs. Inside is a 6 story fortress of artefacts including some very old masks and armour worn by the lords that inhabited here. Designed cleverly to ward off the enemy,
castle shots
such beauty! there are even drop holes to let stones through and obviously incur a bit of brain damage. Grotesque but effective. Admission was reduced to foreigners by 50%, a nice surprice, and could easily spend more than 1 hr there.
But another train awaited me! I had 5 mins to spare after a sojourn with back and front pack from Matsue city hotel, leaving at 10.58 on the dot like every other train I have caught. Snoking and non smoking, or reserved and non reserved carriages are available and everyone is respectful when using mobile phones, coughing etc in the polite japanese way. They are tolerant of my hopeless japanese at times of rushed'ness or stress, and on the whole helpful (how many times have I said that already!!).
After shorts stops in Okayama and a few local towns, I got to Matsuyama, Shikoku, the home of the famous Dogo onsen, another castle (younger this time), and several temples I am yet to explore. After ignoring the tourist office advice and relying on my own JNTO map, it took me a long 1 hr walk to the youth hostel atop the Dogo park and onsen area. Gorgeous setting, just
a bugger of a hill to climb when you are at your whits end (almost!).
The walk was made somewhat enjoyable and shared with Shanti from India, but studying in Nara. I was to be so lucky to have his company, evidently, that it deserved a night out....this never happens, evidently, from 'Indian guys·', but I decided his manner a bit too sleezy and me too weary to indulge. And I am not keen to reinforce a bed mistake like I did in Aso due to, well, fatigue! Plus this blogging awaited me, so too did an authentic. quality onsen experience. This time I got naked with the locals for 320 yen, discounted rate thanks to the youth hostel manager. It was so simple that I had to ask where is it? Right here they say, simple, honest and so very warm and relaxing! Perfect bed time tonic and away for some noodle fuelled dreams...
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