Our ride
Our car for the week was a white Yaris. Photo shoot before we checked out.
The coast road
South out of Matsuyama, along the coast road by the Seto Inland Sea.
At Futami there’s a beach and a big stone monument with a hole in it, a sunset spot.
Then the long drive south, with the sea on our right.
Tendon at Tenyoshi
Lunch in Uwajima at Tenyoshi, a tendon shop off the arcade. ¥2,300 for two.
Uwajima Castle
Then up to Uwajima Castle, another of the twelve original keeps. It’s a steep walk through the trees.
And there it is: small, white and very pretty.
Entry to the keep was ¥400 for two. Inside there’s armour, screens, and a card for the 12 original keeps series.
The Date Museum and Tenshaen
Uwajima was ruled by the Date family, and the Date Museum has their armour and treasures. A combined ticket with the Tenshaen garden was ¥1,400 for two.
Tenshaen is the Date family’s old garden, a short walk away.
Quon chocolate
A Quon chocolate drink and a bar for the road (¥1,048).
To Shimanto
Then two hours south through the mountains into Kōchi, to Hotel Sunriver Shimanto in Nakamura, as the sun went down.
Hakkenden
Dinner at Hakkenden, a yakitori izakaya: skewers, kimchi nabe and gyoza. ¥3,823.
Onward to the Shimanto River!
Information About Uwajima Castle
One of the twelve original castle keeps, a small white three-storey keep on a wooded hill above Uwajima. A steep 15-minute walk up from the gate. Entry to the keep is ¥200.