Whirlpools - Mar 9

Today we first traveled by local bus to Naruto Straits. Here, due to the narrow straits between the island of Shikoku and the main island of Honshu, as well as the underwater geography of the sea beds, giant whirlpools are created by the tides. A bridge has been built across the strait, and constructed on the girders under the bridge is a walkway to observe the whirlpools, through windows in the floor (photo on right) and on the walls (photo on left) over the main area for whirlpools. The walkway out to the viewing area has wire mesh, so you can feel the sea breezes. On a cold, rainy day like today that really meant so that the floor will be wet and slippery and a cold, damp wind blows on you.
We had lunch in a very small restaurant by the whirlpools. Then we took the bus back to Naruto, where we caught the train to Takamatsu where we are staying tonight. We had to switch trains partway, at a station with one empty little waiting room and no railway employees at all - also no convenience stores or any other sign of life nearby (except for a few schoolgirls there to catch a train). Travelling on all the local modes of transportation is quite interesting. You get in a lot of people watching, and now we can personally attest to the greying of Japan. We can also pick out the old style school uniforms (very Prussian military) and the new style uniforms (more business suit inspired). You see all types of housing and commercial activity.
When we arrived in Takamatsu we met Mike, the owner of the Samuri tour company, who is joining us for the next few days, and will drive the van we will be travelling around in. Tonight the group of us went out for an udon noodle supper, as the area is famous for udon noodles. We also tried seared bonito, cooked the way ahi tuna is cooked.
Dave is now in his robe for the night. Our Japanese hotel in Tokyo provided white cotton Japanese styled pajamas, which Dave loved. The hotel in Osaka gave us an open robe and tie. The last two nights the hotel has given us a button front robe. The pajamas we brought with us are staying clean. Unfortunately most of the slipper provided aren't wide enough for our feet.