We arrived here yesterday around 3pm after catching a 9am train from Kyoto. Stopped at Himeji castle then another train and did ferry ride.

Our Hotel Miyajama Villa is opposite the ferry terminal.

It’s a modern Japanese style. I booked is 3 rooms with sea view. I could only get triples with futon. The mattress is on a high ish wooden platform. Quite comfortable.

The bathroom set up is different. The sink and vanity and separate toilet is outside the bath and shower room – which is exactly as it sounds. The whole room becomes the shower. Great idea!

We rested up and did washing when we arrived. Most hotels have a pay laundry. You need around 300-400 yen cash for a 30 minute wash and 100 yen for dryer.

Then we had a drink and dinner. The buffet is $99 pp but it worked well. It included all drinks – nice champagne, wine beer

The food selections were not too vast and were divided into a more western style and a Japanese cuisine. Some really nice things.

Oysters are the specialty of this island and we had to have some. They are big and delicious.

Walking around today we saw lots of oyster cafes – restaurants. They grill them here. It’s not the right season for fresh.

We’ll have some tonight with a glass of bubbles. We’re not staying in for the buffet. There are a few restaurants we’d like to try. Getting in with 6 is often the problem. The hotels will book something for us sometimes as it frustrating to just wander sound!

Today , Monday 20th we are doing our own thing. Elizabeth is training for a big walk up Mt Wellington in Hobart so wants to stretch the legs on the walk up the hill / Mt Misen. Steve wants you to go as well but will get the rope way up the half way and walk to the temple on the top.

Chris and Peter are taking it slowly. Jill and I want to explore the back streets ( and tourist street!)

The weather is great so we all set off and Jill and I had a lovely time going in and out of shops along the way.

A cake in the shape of a maple leaf is also popular here. So we watched them being mass made . But no photos allowed. The operation is very slick. Pastry dough is dropped into series of moulds. Moved along then filling is piped in. Then the case is closed. They are picked up and boxed.

There are lots of decorations and wooden practical items such as spoons and ladles in woods like cherry & chestnut. The ceramics are lovely and with the Japanese eye for simplicity they are beautiful.

I tried on a few dresses made of old kimono fabric but nothing suited.

There are lots of food stalls along the way and I wanted to try everything! Not possible. So selected 1. A lemon filled pastry on a stick. Small and delicious!

We got off the main tourist strip and went into the back streets. It’s so different one block back. Small crafty shops. A few cafes

Dinner tonight was terrific. We stayed at an oyster bar for a glass of bubbles and oysters gratin. they were big and beautiful.

Then we made our way into a back street and found the restaurant I’d read about. Okonomiyaki Kishibe. Run by 3 nonnas it is small. It only seats 12. We waited maybe 10 mins and they squeezed us in.

Such lovely ladies put in a real show for us.

We walked home through lateen lit streets feeling full and satisfied.

A slow day but a great one.

Tomorrow ready for Hiroshima.

Travel Hints:

Before you leave home downloaded the Suica app.

This card is used everywhere. Trains (Not fast one) Bus, ferry, all Lawsons, Family Mart ( these shops have everything inc good food on the go )

You do. Try cash out on it as well. Load it up with cash and away you go.

You need cash. Not so much in the bigger cities ( use you suica card) like Tokyo & Kyoto but for all temples, shrines, gardens, smaller shops, room tax in hotel, for paying your hotel to forward your luggage on. Have an easy zip purse for your cash. You get lots of coins.

Bring a decent overnight bag. Not too heavy My Foldie is great. We are forwarding luggage and it can be just a day /not same day but next day deliver. Have an air tag in it to follow its progress! Depending on the size of the case it will cost 300-400 yen. Well worth it.

Shoes : wear comfortable shoes – with side zips as you have to take them off a lot ….mine have been great with their zips.

Passport: if you buy things over a certain amount you need to show your passport to get the tax taken off.

Trains: the trains are great. If doing your own book when you get here. Have lost of what you want and go to a big station where they have an office with English speakers who help you book all current trains and print out the tickets.

Google Maps: become familiar with this app. Great for telling you exactly the times of the transport you heed. Train & Bus times etc. they tell you where on the platform to stand etc. so good.

That’s it for hints so far!!