Seisyun 18 ticket trip Matuse to Tokushima
It was raining in the morning of the 2nd day. If it had been sunny, I would have gone to Matue castle.
I came to Matuse station to take the train bound for Okayama in that morning.
The train departed 7:02am bound for Niimi, in Okayama.
I was able to see Mt. Daisen through clouds for a second.
The train ran along Hino river.
Howevwe, the regular train of Hakubi line was very slow. The limited express "Yakumo" frequently runs on Hakubi line because of the main route between Sanyo and San-in. We needed to wait approaching and overtaking Yakumo. Hakubi line is mostly single track railway.
It took 2hours and 16minutes from Yonago to Niimi, 78.8km. It's O.K, I was not in a hurry.
However there were very few people moving this route by the regular train apart from Seisyun 18 ticket geeks.
At 9:50 am, I arrived Niimi station and I changed to the train for Waki via Okayama.
Takahashi City
At 10:35am, there was a break in the rain, so I got off the train at Bittyu-Takahassi station.
If the rain had not stopped, I would skip Bittyu-Takahashi and go to Okayama to visit Okayama castle and Korakuen park. However, Bittyu-takahasi was original destination.
The castle was seen on the top of the mountain. It is situated at the highest place in all extant castles.
It takes 1 hour to reache the castle by foot from the station.
Takahasi city has many old buiddings.
Samurai houses still remains along the walking course.
Bittyu-Matsuyama Castle
Finally, I would climb the mountain. The sign said that the left was promenade, I stepped to the left. However it was not as easy as a promenade.
I walked into the dark forest. The distance to the castle was 1,500m.
These sticks were free to use. I borrowed it.
Unfortunately, it started to rain again, and with an umbrella in my left hand and a cane in my right hand, I took a breath and climbed a steep slope. The rain from last night made the fallen leaves on the ground wet and slippery.
There was a driveway to the 8th station, Fuigo Pass. But if you walk there, it will take time longer compare to mountain trail.
I came to Fuigo Pass. I see a parking lot. I thought most tourists except me used their own cars or taxis.
After climbing 15 minutes from Fuigo Pass, the stone wall appeared.
Looking back, the city of Takahashi was in the drizzling rain.
I climbed further. the stone wall could be seen, but the castle tower was hard to see.
How did an ancient people make such a huge stone wall on such a summit? Did they use the stones at the top of the mountain, or did they carry them from the foot?
This is the oldest stone wall in Bitchu Matsuyama Castle.
The castle tower finally appeared. It is foggy.
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is one of the existing castle towers with only 12 castles in Japan. These castle towers were built in the Edo period or before and have been preserved to this day.
Inside the castle
The inside tour was 500 yen, and I thought the fee was a cooperation for the maintenance cost of the castle, so I paid for it.
The inside was a two-layer structure and I climbed the stairs to the second floor. The wood used in this hut structure was the same as the one used at the time, so it must be an existing castle tower. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle had a large-scale repair in the Showa era, and the castle on the verge of collapse was made into the current beautiful shape.
Is the definition of extant castle tower O.K?
I wonder how food and water were procured on such a mountain. It is not suitable for living.
This double turret is also an important cultural property because it has been preserved from that time.
On my way to home, I walked down the driveway.
The wild monkyes scared me.
Crossing Seto-Ohashi to Shikoku
After visiting the castle, I headed for Shikoku.
I took on Marine-Liner rapid train at Okayama station and crossed Seto-Ohashi bridge.
At Sakaide, the first station of Shikoku, I transferred the train.
To Margame castle by rental bike
I came to Marugame city which has 90% production of Uchiwa in Japan.
※ uchiwa=a round fan
I found the rental bike service. It cost 200 yen for 6 hours. It was cheap enough for me to lend the bike. The deposit was 500 yen and I could receive 300 yen when I returned the bike. I needed to show my ID.
There was one of the 12 extant castle towers in Japan.
The castle tower was quite small.
The appearance has been beautifully restored, so it's hard to tell if the existing one or rebuilt. However, since it is still in existence, it is valuable. That's why it is designated as an important cultural property.
Marugame Castle was built on a small mountain called Kameyama with an altitude of 66 m, and you can enjoy a 360-degree view. Iinoyama called Sanuki Fuji can be seen on the east side.
I was able to see Seto-Ohashi bridge in the distance.
I was hungry, so I decided to eat something, and the one I entered was Udon prefecture's "Hanamaru udon". Udon shops, which are run by individuals in Udon prefecture, often close their shops at 2 or 3 pm in the afternoon.
※Udon prefecture=nickname of Kagawa prefecture
To Tokusima via Takamatsu
I came to Takamatsu from Marugame. It got completely dark.
I went to Tokushima by the regular train on Kotoku line.
After two and an hourf hours train ride, 10 pm 、I arrived at Tokushima station. There was a surprisingly large entertainment district as for a local city. It's a big difference from last night's Matsue city. Tokushima city has a population of 260,000, Matsue has 200,000, and they are similar, but I wonder if Tokushima residents love drinking and play at night.
Tokushima Ramen
I ate ramen at a Tokushima ramen shop on the edge of the entertainment district. It's name was Todai. The origin of the store name is because the owner wanted it to become Todai in the ramen world.
※Todai=Tokyo University
I bought the meal ticket by the vending machine.My choice was Kuro-Tonkotsu Todai ramen.
It was a small shop, it's capacity seemed to be 15 people.
If you order ramen, raw eggs with toppings can be added free of charge.
he picture shows one egg, but I ate three eggs in total. Raw eggs for ramen? I think it goes well with Todai's pork bone soy sauce soup. The clerk asked me if I would like to add garlic, so I asked for it.
Todai's soup was thick but not salty, so I was able to drink it all up.
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