December Trip to Japan 2008 (Shikoku Part)

From Okinawa, we will fly into Matsuyama, Ehime prefecture in Shikoku. Shikoku is one of 4 main islands of Japan and connected with Honshu (the main island) by bridges. Matsuyama has a castle from the feudal period and a hot spring (Dogo Onsen). Famous Meiji writer, Natsume Soseki ("I am a cat" and "Kokoro" etc.) was from there. We will travel to Uwajima which is another castle town as well as Uwajima-bay where the best Pearl has been cultured. Some may know Mikimoto-brand from Japan and available at most department stores here. Uwajima-pearl is better than Mikimoto in its quality. What don't you buy one for even yourself and for your significant other? Uchiko area keeps feudal period's townsman housings and structures as well as one of the oldest Kabuki theaters which is still in use today. Tobe area in Ehime is famous for its ceramic pottery industry and many tallented artists in the area actually studied about pottery making in Kyoto!! Students can paint their own design on plates and cups which must be the best souvenir for themselves! GTS's long time Senpai assists me to build the Shikoku program with great hospitality and GTS owes him (GTS calls him SHACHO!) a lot. No international travel package to Japan includes these areas as you can imagine.