I LIKE THIS CITY

Takamatsu was the base for our travels in Shikoku and where we stayed the most nights this time. It was as one resident told me, "not rural enough to make life inconvenient but not crowded enough to feel like a city". I felt that I had everything I needed without having to jostle for a space to exist.

Oh and it helps that this little city was so kid-friendly.

NAOSHIMA

 

There are some places that just can't be done in a day, and Naoshima is one of them. Not to mention the nearby Teshima and Inujima, Shodoshima with its olive groves and soy sauce, and the cat island Manabeshima.

I would love to return to the area and take my time again one day.

1368 STEPS TO THE TOP

Pit-stop to Iya Valley.

We lost count half-way but I salute my ten and six-year-olds who did it. It made the chewy sanuki udon especially tasty at the end.

The shops lining the steps to Konpira-san were kawaii-overload.

DEEP IN THE MOUNTAINS... ...& A WHIRLPOOL THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN

This is the first time a trip was not posted chronologically, but my shots were so piece-meal, random, there simply wasn't much of a coherent story to tell.

So let's just start with some of my favourite places :)

From top:

Oboke Gorge and its interesting rocks.

Iya Valley and the Kazurabashi Vine Bridge. I really wanted to turn back ten steps in but it was one-way only. The ten and eleven year olds simply skipped over.

A village with no more children.

Further east to Naruto to see their famous uzushio (tidal whirlpools) but the stars didn't align that day. The wind and the waves were impressive though.