Tokushima

We went to Tokushima in early April 2017.

Tokushima has a population of 260,000.

We landed at Narito Airport, stayed overnight in Shinagawa, then flew from Haneda airport to Tokushima the next morning.


A word about Shinagawa Railway Station. The signage there for this dill is not as clear as it could be. And, there are two different companies using the station, using different entry gates. It is a good place to argue whilst blocking the crowd:  "we should go this way",   "no, I told you it is that way",  "you've got the wrong ticket" , "well get it yourself".  There is no direct train connection  between Haneda and Narito.   ( found out two years later that there is indeed a train connection via Keisei Railway)
Leave yourself plenty of time when travelling to the airports  !


On the road to our hotel in Tokushima, such a beautiful tree.

A house front near the hotel.

Don't forget to get a numbered ticket whilst entering via the central door of a bus.

Cherry blossom was in full bloom at the Castle Gardens.

The statues on the post boxes in Tokushima.

Flowers at the bus terminal.

Looking at the railway station.

OTSUKA INTERNATIONAL ART GALLERY

Although you can catch a train part of the way from Tokushima, it is probably easier to go the whole distance by bus. The trip is seventy minutes long.

I don't know if the Otsuka family has a sense of humour or not.  They made their wealth is ceramics and pharmaceuticals. The family came from eastern Shikoku, and that is where they decided to build this massive art gallery.  Funny ?  Not yet ~~~~.  The word "otsuka" translates as large mound.  The museum is built in a hill (large mound ? ) !  ~~~  Oh well, I thought it was clever ~~~~~

Such a large escalator:

It goes on and on and on... and has ceramic copies of all the famous art works including Blue Poles !

HIWASA

Hiwasa is about an hour by train from Tokushima in a Limited Express, or about eighty minutes in an all stops train.

For train lovers, Japan not only has the super fast bullet trains, it also has interurban trains where you can stand near the driver and look out of the front window !  Tunnels too ! Such joy for big kids !

Our 'slow' trip to Hiwasa was wonderful.  Whilst stopping at a station, the train driver at times would leave his cabin, and indicate we should go onto the platform and take a photo.  He would get out of the train and point, then smile and wait while we snapped away. 

Hiwasa has a castle, a wonderful turtle museum, and big temple with lots of stairs. The volunteer at the Tourist Information Bureau offered to drive us around the town.  As we needed a hat for the sun, we kindly accepted. He closed the bureau and took us to the hardware store first, where we bought the hat !

ANAN

Whilst in Anan looking at the cherry blossoms in the park at the old castle ruins, a young couple came to have their wedding photos taken.

IWAWAKI PARK

Iwawaki Park was three train stops before Anan. I would recommend going there during cherry blossom. The park itself is small, but the nearby avenue is a kilometre long, lined with blossoming trees.

Another tourist asked if we could have a photo together.

THE 88 TEMPLE PIGRAMAGE

Tokushima is the start point for pilgrims who wish to go to the 88 temples of Shikoku.

I looked at the list in the tourist brochure, checked on the internet, and went to those easy to get to, that were also pretty (shallow me).

Links:

The difference between Shrines and Temples

More on Shrines and Temples



And finally, where else but Japan ?  I was walking around looking for the supermarket.  Outside a convenience store, I asked a man where is was. "Umm, supa ? ~~~ (vague look on my face) ". He indicated that I should get in his car, and he drove me to it !

It is a wonder, is Japan.