Exploring Shikoku Day 8
We’re back! Finally, I was able to get back to Japan. This trip was planned out prior to COVID-19 and was put on a back burner until travel was available. At last, we were able to book our travel and make our way over to Shikoku.
Waking up at 8:30, we went and got a nice traditional breakfast from the hotel. After eating we packed our luggage and checked out. Leaving the luggage in our car, we started the Yusuhara City Walk.
From the Kumo no Ueno Hotel Annex [雲の上のホテル 別館・マルシェユスハラ] we walked over to the Yusuhara Town Office [梼原町役場] to check out the design of the office, theater [ゆすはら座] and tourism office [ゆすはら雲の上観光協会]. From there we took a short walk to the library [雲の上の図書館] and integrated welfare center [複合福祉施設YURURIゆすはら].
The library is really the only other building that we walked into, and it’s amazing! The design and look are genius. All the places for people to read and learn are so well thought out. After the library, we walked over to our final Yusuhara walking tour item, the Yusuhara Bridge [梼原橋].
Hopping into our car, we drove a little whiles outside of town to learn a little more about Kengo Kuma at his museum [隈研吾の小さなミュージアム] right at the city limits. It was a neatly designed building/bridge, and we were able to learn quite a bit about him from a movie that plays about Kuma’s history.
Finishing up the museum, we then had a long drive to the Shikoku Karst [四国カルスト]. This was a crazy place and reminded me of Lord of the Rings. There were just rocks, stones and boulders littered throughout the grassy mountain top.
From the top of the mountain, we then headed down into the valley. This was one of the craziest drives that we took on roads that should have been designated for bicycles. Our goal was to get to the Hakuryu Lake [白龍湖].
This lake is a private little watering hole that was made to display the areas natural beauty. It’s just a little way outside of Tsuno City, and was totally worth a trip to go see. I absolutely love the multi-tiered bridges that went over the water to give amazing views.
We were starting to get hungry as the time passed, and we had the idea to eat famous Unagi from a Roadside Station. Unfortunately, by the time we got to Roadside Station Shimanto-Taisho [道の駅 四万十大正], the kitchen was closed and the best we could do was some maple ice cream.
Off to the last thing for the day, and we were racing sunset. We were able to make it to the Imanari (Sada) Submersible Bridge [今成橋（佐田沈下橋）] just in time! Driving over the flat bridge was exciting, and I was able to get the drone up for some great shots!
Finally, we headed back to the hotel, and after checking in we went for dinner at Marugen Ramen [丸源ラーメン 四万十店], a local Ramen chain. That’s it for today’s adventure, and we’ll see you tomorrow when we continue going southwards.
Follow me on IG/X: @charleechay