Takamatsu (高松市) and Megijima (女木島)

Takamatsu (高松市) is a small city on Shikoku Island, Japan. I attempted to hitchhike there from Kobe City but in the heat and after hiking down from Mount Maya I ended up giving up after a few hours of trying to find a good spot and failing. I met with my very very patient couchsurfing host at a convenience store just near Ritsurin Garden. From there we visited a restaurant her friend had just opened. It was in a lovely traditional Japanese house that they had restored. The old wood looked really nice and it had a very cozy and friendly atmosphere.

I rented a bike from near Ritsurin Garden Station and biked/walked along the shopping street to Takamatsu Castle Ruin, Historic Site (玉藻公園). I just walked around the castle area, which had a scenic view of the moat and some watchtowers. My goal was actually to visit Megijima so I didn't stop in. 

Takamatsu (高松市)

Takamatsu Castle Ruin, Historic Site (玉藻公園)

Takamatsu Castle Ruin, Historic Site (玉藻公園)

Takamatsu Castle Ruin, Historic Site (玉藻公園)

 The port area of Takamatsu is decorated with art exhibitions and is very open and hot but is still lovely to walk around.

Takamatsu (高松市)

Takamatsu (高松市)

Takamatsu (高松市)

Takamatsu (高松市)

Megijima (女木島) is an island just off the coast of Takamatsu in the Seto Inland Sea between Shikoku and the mainland. Two small villages occur here while the majority of the island is taken up by two forested  (but small) mountains. The island has man-made beaches and beach houses close to the ferry port. The port has a fair number of birds at it although these are restricted to Gulls, Black-eared Kites, Cormorants and Swallows. 

Takamatsu (高松市) ferry to Megijima (女木島)

Black-eared Kite

Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris)

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

 Sights on the island to visit include a lighthouse, campground, a few shrines and an Onigashima Cave. I walked up from the beaches through the town. There is a large stone wall to block the town from wind and the town has many traditional style wood houses with narrow lanes. The town is a bit rundown and many houses appear to be abandoned with their dirt and grass insulation falling out through the walls or their roofs caving in. I imagine that many small towns on the inner sea islands are in a similar state with the current generations wanting to live in larger cities. Despite that there are still a few guesthouses and bead and breakfasts (Minshuku) in the village and you can get food at one of the beachhouses.

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

 The road through town takes you up to Sumiyoshidai Shrine (住吉大神宮). There were many Black-eared Kites flying above on the thermals and in the heat cicadas were deafening. 

Megijima (女木島)

Sumiyoshidai Shrine (住吉大神宮)

 At the top of the mountain there is a lookout with a small sakura garden (not in season currently but would be a very scenic spot during the spring. The lookout has a spectacular 360 degrees view of the surrounding area seen through the typical Japanese haze.

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

Megijima (女木島)

The Onigashima Cave (鬼ヶ島大洞窟) is also on this peak, which is the highest on the island. The cave is quite altered and has many statues in it and at the entrances. This is because Megijima is the Ogre Island from the popular Momotaro legend in which a small boy visited the island in order to fight its resident ogres. The cave is said to have once served as the ogres' fortress. Inside the cave there are a series of interconnected chambers, which display large cartoon ogre statues depicting scenes from the Momotaro story. 

Onigashima Cave (鬼ヶ島大洞窟)

Onigashima Cave (鬼ヶ島大洞窟)

Onigashima Cave (鬼ヶ島大洞窟)

Coming back to the port for sunset is lovely. The sky lights up over the ocean and fades behind the mountains in the distance. There are many places to sit and relax while the sun goes down. I didn't get to see the full sunset because I would have been late for dinner plans but I plan to find an excuse to visit again just to see it fully.

Sunset from Takamatsu (高松市)

Sunset from Takamatsu (高松市)

Sunset from Takamatsu (高松市)

Sunset from Takamatsu (高松市)