Tokushima

Our first stop on Shikuko Island is Tokushima, not because it's particularly lovely (it isn't really) or particularly historic (not more than usual around here) but because it is the start of the Henro pilgrimage. To get there we took a bus, as the fastest train is not fast and would have us backtracking, and the shorter in distance train and ferry would take about 26 changes with little time spare for error. No thanks.

The journey was nice and we had loaded up on snacks from the 7-11, of which there are thousands in Japan. Practically every street corner has one, or something like it, and it has a wonderful array of familiar and not so familiar things. Like yogurt. And bean paste buns coloured green.

As the hills passed by, we were intrigues to see cherry trees blossoming wild in their pinks and whites. We crossed two bridges or note, the first being the longest suspension bridge in the world, taking us to one island, and the other taking us over the Naruto whirlpool as we left the small island and entered Shikoku Island.

It was about an hour before the tide changed, so all we could see was the extraordinary roiling of the see. We craned our necks trying to see this wild water, along with everyone else in the bus, locals and tourists alike.

It would probably have freaked us out totally to see the tide at its height and thus the whirlpool, even from a bridge let alone a boat. Here's what I mean - these are postcard images.

I know, right? You would have to be pretty confident in your skipper to even consider getting close to this beasty!

In the evening we went up Bizan, a 300-odd metre hill achieved with a garishly lit gondola. At the top is more garish lighting over a bizarre kaleidoscope that you can stick your head into. ???? There also a stuppa, several alien-ship towers and aerials, and a grove of cherry trees all in bloom. In the cafe (closed) there are hand prints of famous anime artists/writers. All quite bizarre.

the delights of  Tokushima spread out below

sakura illuminated by a gondola

anime leading you up to a closed cafe

looks like an alien ship landing

Is Martin looking at something?

Or is he being abducted by the aliens?

Time to go to our little room at the Smile Hotel and rest up. Tomorrow we go on pilgrimage and need to rest up. Enlightenment comes easier when you are well rested.