Anpanman Train at Takamatsu Station

As we were departing Takamatsu for Oboke and the Iya Valley in central Shikoku, I spied the Anpanman Train waited at Takamatsu Station. The family got the chance to ride another Anpanman Train later the same day from Tadotsu Station. Seems that the Anpanman Trains are a big deal in Shikoku. Even some of the garbage and recycling bins had a Anpanman Theme.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Sanuki Udon or I Love Udon

If you didn't know, there surely would be enough indicators that sanuki udon is Shikoku's famous prized delicacy. It's probably sacrilege for those who truly love it; however, I was not able to notice a big difference. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention or didn't have enough udon experience. I was probably overwhelmed by the beautiful natural scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. Even if you don't have an opinion about the local udon, you've got to love the sticker that I found in my hotel's gift shop!

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf8.0, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf2.0, ISO 100, 1/25 sec.

Ferry from Takamatusu to Shodoshima

Several weekends ago, the family ventured into what many Japanese would call "tooi inaka" or "distant country". We went to the seldom traveled (at least by foreign tourists) island of Shikoku. It's the smallest of the main four islands (Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku) that make up Japan. Funny, thing is once we got to Takamatsu on Shikoku, we boarded a ferry to the even smaller neighboring island of Shodoshima. Anyway, here are the first what may be many posts from my Shikoku adventure.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf8.0, ISO 100, 1/500 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf8.0, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Takamatsu Nasu no Yoichi Manhole Covers

On our first morning in Shikoku, we actually decided to take a ferry to head to nearby Shodoshima. Near the redeveloped pier and train station at Sunport Takumatsu, I came across these interesting manhole covers. Both refer to a the famous samurai Nasu no Yoichi at the Battle of Yashima. The first depicts the samurai on his horse, his bow and arrow and a fleeing ship with a fan attached to the mast. The second manhole only depicts the fleeing ship with the fan attached to the mast. Nasu no Yoichi shot down the fan from the fleeing ship with a single shot. If you are interested in seeing more manholes from Japan, head over to S. Morita's flickr page.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf8.0, ISO 100, 1/640 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-Sf8.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.