Takaya Shrine or Shrine in Heaven in Kagawa Pref.

The shrine is now becoming known and attracting the attention among Japanese. The inner shrine or Hongu is on top of the hill (404 meters above sea level); whereas Geku is at the bottom; and Chugu is in-between.
It takes about 50 minutes on foot from the bottom to the top. But there's a secret way by car. The roads are mostly narrow and winding but reachable on the weekdays when few cars go up the hill at the same time. But not on the weekend. Along with a nearby beach named chichibugahama, the shrine will be the one that has not yet been explored much. Having said that however, English articles about the shrine has already been uploaded like this one. It was a beautiful day, a break in the middle of the rainy season in Japan, when I was there.

Stairs you will come up if you hike from the bottom

a view of the Seto Inland Sea from behind the shrine

the gate in heaven; the shrine hall stands here

the gate at the bottom, through which you pray to the shrine hall on the hill

substancial meal after a temple visit

Try Sanuki Udon noodle in Kagawa - once called Sanuki - after a temple visit. Join the locals eating there!

Chichu Garden plants

Along the approach to the entrance to the Chichu Art Museum, many plants, carefully selected by studying those in Monet' garden in  Giverny, grow. Even in the middle of winter in January, small little flowers are in bloom and greenery is beautiful. Here are a some of those.

Leo Villareal: chasing Rainbow, 2004

At Lounge and Archives, Honmura, Naoshima.

Sit on the sofa, chill, and see this for the time being. 

Artwork by Leo Villareal: chasing Rainbow, 2004

Naoshima February snaps

Some days in February may not be suitable for touring but it applies to any other month. So I still think February is a good month to explore the island of naoshima: with less visitors and less loss time, you appreciate more. Now a big hall for the townspeople is being constructed. It's almost complete. Locals say it's too grand but let's wait and see how the hall functions. This hall was designed by SANBUICHI Hiroshi who did the renovation of a former copper refinery on the island of inujima. Inujima, teshima and naoshima forms a trio of Benesse islands. 

Taking an early ferry from Miyanoura Port

Beautiful morning in the Seto Inland Sea area.

Fukita Pavilion designed by NISHIZAWA Ryue

It's on the island of Shodoshima. It takes time to go there but I decided to go any way as a treat to myself. A happy surprise was the pleasure of the travel to the island itself. Loved the ferry ride. The pavilion was as I expected and did not insist on its existence. Very subtle. 

Sanuki UDON: best for lunch!

This Udon noodle eatery was so good. All the udon places in Takamatsu and the vicinities serve good udon but this udon restaurant was the very best. They make the noodle themselves and food is served in the help-yourself style. You even warm up your noodle by putting it in a strainer ready for use by the customers and dipping it in hot water in the container. While the chilled type comes in a bowl with a bit of chilled thick soup or on a plate made of thin bamboo bars knitted together for drainage with a cup of chilled dipping. You can choose toppings - mostly tempura of many kinds. Condiments like grated ginger, green onion, and fried dough crumbs are available. The store kindly let the travelers see the backstage. It's a unique udon noodle cafeteria you have to try!

Takamatsu and Kinashi make a good day tour

Udon diner in Takamatsu

Here's what my guests and I recently did:

Start the tour from Okayama Station;
Take a JR train to Takamatsu;

Ritsurin Garden black pines

Take a taxi to Kagawa Prefectural Gov. building designed by TANGE Kenzo who also did the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum & Park;
Look at the details of the building;
Walk to one of the most popular Udon noodle shops and have Udon for lunch;
Walk to Ritsurin Garden - spacious and grand, one of the most famed Daimyo feudal lord gardens dating from the Edo period (1603-1868);
Fully appreciate the garden and the cottage standing by one of the ponds in the garden;
Take a taxi to Kinashi and visit two Bonsai places that I contacted in advance;
Walk to JR Kinashi Station, take a local train, transfer at Sakaide, and go back to Okayama Station;
End of tour.

This makes a very fun full day tour. It was a fantastic day focusing on Japanese gardening, local cuisine, and Bonsai techniques. 

Tending a black pine in Kinashi

Kagawa Prefectural Gov. building

TESHIMA, cycle of life

 A few weeks ago, I finally climbed BIG BAMBU, an artwork which nestled up the bamboo grove. Now I feel urged climbing it once again. This artwork is only available until September 23, 2014. It was installed for the SETOUCHI International Art Festival last year. Probably because it was popular, the artwork is still open but it has to be gone due to expenses and safety. Totally fantastic to climb the artwork and stand on the edge of the BAMBOO SHIP. 

I am also working on analyzing the YOKO-O KAN, a newest addition to TESHIMA. It's a museum showing the works of YOKO-O TADANORI. His paintings need investigation. It's much better to know their backgrounds and YOKO-O's personal history. A glance at the museum will be already thought-provoking but you can get to think more by knowing more. So, I'm trying to know more and think. Below are some of the recent photos from TESHIMA. It's a satisfying experience to rent a bike and ride it around in Teshima the whole day. I might be riding a bike again in Teshima soon.

 A friend of mine, other climbers and a staffer

 I'm a skipper!

 Climbing down

 Bamboos tied together

 A scene from biking

 Water is abundant in Teshima 

 This artwork is always kind to Teshima scenery

 

Each island seems to have their way of stacking stones

 You are allowed to take pictures of this artwork.

Beautiful colors but my neck hurt looking up at it for a few minutes.

 Going back to Uno Port

Teshima Museum after a shower

The Teshima Museum after a shower was completely mesmerizing with tiny raindrops scattered on the gently and slightly undulating floor. I always wanted to go there on a rainy day and this time it just so happened on a tour day when I took my guest. We said we came on the very special day. It was magical. Everybody in the museum was enchanted, sitting there quietly or leisurely walking around. My guest was so good at seeing the THREADS in the air. After I showed one of them to her, she was sensitive enough to find the other two as was so destined. A gold, silver, and red threads. 

    The surface was silverier than usual after a rainfall.

The Archives of the Heartbeats is not really my cup of tea because it's too heavy on me, but many enjoy having their heartbeat recorded on the spot. It only takes ten minutes and if you ask, you can right away hear your heartbeat in the HEART ROOM. 

 Approach to the Archives 

I first went to see the DISTANT MEMORY on one ordinary weekday when the entrance was loosely chained, and it was easy to go beyond the chain and reach the artwork and walk around. This time on Monday during the summer vacation, a lady was there. 

 It became sunny when we were there.

Big Bambu looks fun and genius. The phot was taken from a road in a distance. Too far away, so below is the web site you can see a large pic.

http://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/artwork/a030

 In a bamboo grove the artwork is assembled. 

Yokoo House is relatively new and a good contrast of the Teshima Museum. The House is in charge of the death realm but life and death are not so apart. 

There are artistic dining or cafe-like places where you can chill particularly if your visit falls on the weekend. Take time in Teshima though Teshima and Inujima can be cleverly combined and done in a day. For that you need a guide as your strategist, though.

Enjoy the photos and dream of your day in Teshima. Remember the art facilities are closed on Tuesday.

Ocean view from naoshima

one winter afternoon

This pic was taken from Chichu Cafe, Chichu Museum where I can't resist taking photos every time I go. 

Ritsurin Garden from the boat on the pond

Sengi rock formation in the pond

a bit of the boat is seen at the bottom of the pic

The pics were taken from an occasion of boat riding on the waters of Ritsurin Garden. This boat ride needs reservation and seats are limited. Quite popular.

Full moon rises above this stretching pine tree

one day in winter @ naoshima

Isn't this an artistic piece of cloud in the sky??

Seen on the hill are the oval wing of Benesse House (higher) and Chichu Museum (closer to the clouds). The gate keeper's office designed by ANDO is also seen.