I’m finally in Shikoku, the smallest of the major islands of Japan. It also the part of Japan I wanted to see the most because it is really traditional and full of amazing natural landscapes.
Shimanami Kaido
To go from Honshu island to Shikoku island, I could have taken the ferry but I decided to do it on a bike, of the breathtaking road of Shimanami Kaido.
It is a 70 km road with multiples bridges that connects small islands if the Seto Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku.
Shimanami Kaido map
I wanted to take my time and be able to really appreciate the journey so I took three days on a bike, to be able to explore alternatives roads and smaller islands.
The rare moments I wasn’t on a bike, I drew the huge bridges connecting the islands. In the mist coming from the sea, they felt like giants looming over the horizon.
One of the seven bridges to cross
Dogo onsen in Matsuyama
Matsuyama is the biggest city in the Ehime prefecture and contains a very old onsen, that is said to have inspired Miyazaki for the movie Spirited Away.
As someone deeply touched by this animation movie, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to paint it ( I even practiced painting scenes of this movie in gouache!).
Part of the building was under repair so I focused only in the front.
It was pretty complex to keep the perspective coherent through all the layers of roofs.
Dogo Onsen
Kabuki theater in Uchiko
Kabuki is a form of Japanese theater. I will see a play later in my trip and talk more about it but for now, I visited an ancient theater, still in activity.
It was fascinating to see the stage and its multiples mechanisms to rotate decors, and make actors appears magically.
The building was beautiful but enclaved in a narrow alley.
Urban sketching can be frustrating sometimes when you don’t find the perfect spot, with the right view. It is usually the best time to focus on a smaller detail or only a part of the architecture.
Kabuki theater
Shopping arcades
Shopping arcades are pretty commons in big cities. It is usually pretty long, and with summer coming, it is more relaxing to walk protected from the sun than on the streets.
Shopping arcade in Matsuyama
It is almost the end of my journey in Japan but before leaving, I will finally do a part of the Henro Pilgrimage. I wanted to see this road for such a long time!
Indeed this pilgrimage allows you to walk all around Shikoku to visit 88 temples, through forests, sea shores and small villages. I’ll probably paint less, and walk more!
See you next week
Postcards of the week: Golden and Silver Pavillons in Kyoto