Takamatsu

When we planned our trip to Japan we had the benefit of our friends' itinerary from when they came here last year. Like them we wanted to go to Naoshima which is an island in the Seto Inland Sea that is famous for its modern art and sculptures. Unfortunately we were unable to secure accommodation on the island so booked at Hotel Bokaiso in Takamatsu which is a short ferry ride away.

When we made the booking google showed this hotel as being located on the main street of Takamatsu, but we later discovered it is located in a national park up a significant hill. The instructions indicate a shuttle bus is available from a local railway station, but when we arrived the bus turns out to be a local service not a hotel shuttle bus as we understand that concept. The bus dropped us at service area 500 metres from the hotel. There were no signs to indicate where to find the hotel, but we were given a map and directions by a helpful employee in a convenience store. The views on the walk up were fantastic, but with each uphill step Anita's enthusiasm for this particular hotel decreased proportionately.

We decided it is too impractical to stay here with an irregular bus service to get us to the local railway station, then having to catch the train to Takamatsu before we could catch the ferry across to Naoshima! In the end we decided to stay only the one night. The views are spectacular and dinner was special, but we have opted to relocate. No other hotels available for miles around because we are in the middle of the autumn session of an arts festival that is only held every 3 years. We have decided to head for Osaka for a couple of nights instead.

This morning we left our luggage at Takamatsu station because we could not check into the Hotel Bokasio until 3 pm. We wandered around the old castle grounds where there was a garden display of gigantic dahlias and bonsai plants. I think the plant in the photo is a chrysanthemum but there were no signs in English to explain what was what. The last remaining moat around the old castle grounds is now tidal and was full of black bream which are fed by the boat operators tossing out food to entertain their tourists. 

The shopping/restaurant area of Takamatsu has been modernised by removing cars from the narrow streets, constructing clear roofs over those streets, and repaving the area. The result is strip shops under cover - much nicer than any shopping mall.