π Encountering the Seto Inland Sea π - Takamatsu & Okayama Chapter
π Introduction It's been nearly five years since my first visit to the Seto Inland Sea for island hopping, and the sea in my memory remains as vivid and lively as ever. I've always felt that the Seto Inland Sea is the ocean that best represents Japan. Although it's not as colorful and passionate as the seas of Southeast Asia, nor as romantic and varied as the Aegean Sea in Europe, the Seto Inland Sea has a more subdued, low-saturation hue, like an old photograph, indifferent yet artistic. People often complain about the age and decay in the area, but it's originally a fishing village revival, which naturally can't compare to the prosperity and convenience of a city. However, the history, culture, natural beauty, and artistic atmosphere here are still captivating. So, before I forget, I plan to record my journey through the Seto Inland Sea again. Currently, it's divided into chapters on Takamatsu & Okayama, Teshima, Naoshima, Megijima & Onishima, Shodoshima, and a side chapter on Onomichi. I plan to visit Hiroshima and Ehime's Shimanami Kaido in the fall and will add more laterο½ π Itinerary Planning The year 2019 coincided with the Setouchi Triennale, and we traveled in August for 7 days and 6 nights: D1 Arrival in Takamatsu, stayed in Takamatsu D2 Teshima, stayed in Takamatsu D3 Megijima & Onishima, stayed in Takamatsu D4 Shodoshima β Naoshima, stayed in Naoshima D5 Naoshima β Okayama, stayed in Okayama D6 Okayama, stayed in Okayama (typhoon, no going out) D7 Okayama, returned at night π How to Enjoy Takamatsu Many people choose Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture as their first stop when they come to the Seto Inland Sea. If planning island hopping, staying at Takamatsu Port is an excellent choice. During the day, you can explore various small islands, and in the evening, you can enjoy the sunset and afterglow at Takamatsu Port, which is very charming. For dinner, you can taste the most famous udon noodles in Kagawa Prefecture or choose the specialty of Kagawa, bone-attached chicken. I personally recommend "Oyattori," which has a rich and chewy texture. If you have half a day left, you can visit the nearby Ritsurin Garden. This beautiful Japanese-style garden has many koi fish ποΈ and is well worth a visit. π How to Enjoy Okayama If you have only one day, the must-see spots are the Kurashiki Bikan Area and Okayama Korakuen. Although I didn't have high expectations for Kurashiki, having seen many water towns in Jiangnan, I was still deeply captivated by the scenery of the water reflecting like a mirror in the evening. I highly recommend visiting Korakuen in the evening; throughout August, there are night viewing activities, which not only avoid the daytime heat but also allow you to experience a unique summer atmosphere. If you have more time, you can head to Kojima, known for its denim production, where you can see the of jeans hanging in the air, or go to Washiya Mountain to chase a sunset and admire the magnificent scenery of the sun sinking into the sea from the middle of a bridge. Finally, I strongly recommend a dessert shop called "Kurashiki Momo." Okayama is famous for its Harekaze grapes, and this shop's fruit parfait is excellent! I even made a detour to try their winter limited edition while traveling around the China region, and it's worth a try π #SetoInlandSea #Takamatsu #Okayama #SetouchiTriennale #IslandHoppingInTheSetoInlandSea