At the first port of Takamatsu, I walked through a beautiful zen garden called Ritsurin Koen. This garden is cared for by 16 full time gardeners and includes a tea house and 6 water ponds throughout the 185 acres. Many of the pine tree limbs are carefully twisted, shaped and groomed. They looked like giant bonsai trees. I stayed there almost 2 hours, imagining what it was like back in the 17th century and living among the ruling clans, feudal lords and shoguns. Foodies of Japanese noodle soups should make a point to eat udon in Takamatsu. A special type of noodle called Sanuki udon is popular in this city.
A visit to Miyashima island is a must if you ever get to Hiroshima. Accessible only by ferry, they are known for the Torii Gate, fresh oysters, a vegetable pancake called okonomiyaki, deep fried fish cake and maple leaf pastry. Oysters are grown in large containers in the ocean and harvested by cranes lifting the crates out of the water. The tide was high and the Torii Gate looked like it was floating on the water. Many shrines here and you can prayerfully ask the gods for blessings. The protocol: wash hands (and mouth, optional) to purify, throw your money in the offering box, bow twice, clap twice, pray/ask for blessings, then bow once more. The city of Hiroshima has been entirely rebuilt since it was destroyed in 1945 by an atomic bomb. Today it’s a bustling, thriving city with 1.3Mil inhabitants.
About 30 minute drive out of the Busan (Pusan), Korea port is a hot spring area. The sign on the wall stated in gold lettering “Welcome to Hurshimchung the best spa in the world”. Inside, there were several large mineral baths aptly named longevity, cave, outdoor, waterfall, celadon, beer, sitz, cold. Water temperature is between 40-42 degrees C, and combines the hot spring water with medicinal elements and seasonal herbs. You could soak in one, or all of them. I paid extra for an exfoliation treatment and got scrubbed down, slapped on, pulled and contorted in awkward poses, slathered with a cold cucumber facial mask, flipped over, massaged with piercing elbows, and had a vigorous hair wash from a petite yet very strong beautician dressed in a panty and bra. Was it the best spa in the world? I’m not well-traveled enough to answer that, but I’d say it was one of the best Korean spas I’ve been to. If you’re shy about walking around in the buff, don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. But do learn the etiquette concerning Korean spas, such as removing footwear, washing thoroughly before entering the pools, using the appropriate towel, and no splashing! (Sorry no photos for obvious reasons).
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Looks amazing, I proud of you being so adventurous.