This week is my last week on Honshu, the main island of Japan. I continued following the coast, enjoying breathtaking views of the sea.
Kurashiki
Kurashiki is a small town near Okayama. It’s a touristic place with its old city center, build around a canal.
It feels strangely European thanks to its architecture, and classic brick hotels overwhelmed by ivy.
I went to the city museum that shows some western artists arts, but I mostly enjoyed seeing art from Japanese artists like Torajirō Kojima that painted in a occidental style. It was a refreshing take on this style.
Shop in Kurashiki
Ancient toys museum
Kurashiki is also the home of an ancient toys museum.
Half nightmare fuel and half endless source of inspiration, I loved seeing theses olds toys and the difference between the many regions of Japan.
They were kites, darumas, spinning top, papier mâché and wooden dolls.
Darumas
Seto Inland Sea
The Seto Inland sea is the sea between Shikoku and Honshu islands and it is a beautiful landscape!
It’s full of small islands, very green. A mist coming from the sea adds to the eerie feeling.
Plenty of ferries make it easy to go from one island to another.
I visited several of them and I was never tired of this incredible view.
View of Tomonoura pier
Okunoshima
This small island on the Seto Inland sea was a poison factory during the 2nd world war.
But it is not the reason most people come to visit this island.
Indeed, rabbits were introduced in this environment and without predators, they multiplied a lot and now roamed freely on the island. They are really curious and don’t hesitate to go in your bag to see if you have food!
A curious rabbit
It was magical to walk in this almost deserted island and see countless rabbits playing around.
Finally it is time to leave Honshu and go to Shikoku. On a bike!
I’m going to follow the Shimanami Kaido, a long road connecting several islands, from Honshu to Shikoku by huge bridges. Lots of cycling lanes have been created so I’ll take the time to travel more slowly to really enjoy the scenery.