Takamatsu, 10.05.24

Quite a reluctant departure from yet another magic place. The ferry took us over to Takamatsu and the island of Shikoku, the fourth largest major island of Japan. It took about an hour and we arrived at the port of Takamatsu 12.30. The difference in pace of life and busyness war very marked compared to the much larger centres of Osaka or Tokyo, but then only just over 400000 people live here. It was almost completely destroyed in WWII and looks now all modern and very clean. 

City Centre

Castle Moat

We stayed at the Clement Hotel on the 18th floor with amazing views over the harbour and part of the city. Downstairs in the large lobby was a bar, a restaurant and a pastry shop. We soon found ourselves in the bar drinking Japanese beer. 

But not for long as we wanted to discover some of Takamatsu and one of its attractions is the castle right next to the hotel and the longest shopping mall in Japan. The castle was first and quite impressive but much of it is destroyed. One tower is left surrounded by a moat. As in all other castles we have seen so far the stonework is really impressive. Just how could they move these large stones and put them up into walls? 

The mall was, well full of shops. But the lack of people intrigued us and the presence of some high fashion stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Tiffany's. But no buyers to be seen, a bit like at the airports. The explanation was that often Chinese tourists fly into Takamatsu and come to these shops because they are somewhat cheaper than on the mainland. This particular arcade is 2.7 kilometres long! Plenty to shop and discover. 

Arcade

We returned in the evening for a meal in a tiny restaurant for fried chicken and dumplings which were very good too.

Dumplings

Fried Chicken