Modelling for human tissue testing

Gasp! A non-Japan related post.

The Open University announces a partnership to test human tissue models that could lead to an end to animal testing. (This is relevant to my OU interests...)

Coffee and cake time

I found the wonderful Giaman glass museum - small but with some fascinating exhibits and very well lit. If you go, don't forget to go out through the doors at the end of the gallery and check out the pool!

The cafe upstairs is also worth a visit, with an absolutely gorgeous garden and flowing water pool. Not to mention the Marriage Freres Earl Grey roll cake!

Break time

I stopped for lunch a little early - not because I was hungry, but because I was about to drop from the combined heat and humidity. I ducked into a stylish cafe in the covered arcade and had a delicious fried rice with tiny fish and plum, miso soup with mushrooms, and salad, all followed by coffee. I think I'll find the glass museum and then head back to the guesthouse to write some cards and figure out the best time to head to Hiroshima tomorrow.

All gone

The cafe's weekly special coffee was amazing too. Now, temples!

Good morning

Today's breakfast at a charming cafe housed in an old machiya building in the covered arcade leading to Dogo Onsen.

There is a resemblance!

This one's for David

The chance to play to the Dogo Onsen-Sen to Chihiro link was too good to resist!

Ferris wheel!

I got my ferris wheel ride for this trip, on the roof of the Iyotetsu Takashimaya department store at Matsuyama-shi station.

I'm pleased to report that people in Matsuyama are just as helpful and friendly as the ones in Takamatsu. Two people stopped to offer me directions on the way to the guesthouse, which was most appreciated as I had managed to turn up a road full of what appeared to be establishments of ill repute. Mind you, the hustlers outside seemed more confused by me than I was bemused by them.

Matsuyama castle

It's gone all overcast and breezy. YES!

Matsuyama!

I fell asleep on the train. Completely asleep. I woke up with a start when the conductor announced we were arriving a minute before we pulled in at Matsuyama. I found a big locker for my case, got a (fairly vague) map from the tourist office and stopped into a cafe in front of the station to try to get my bearings and wake up.

It's supposed to be cooler today - meaning 25 degrees instead of 28 - but it doesn't feel like it. Two women in the cafe are complaining about how hot and humid it is and how they get tired quickly.

Anyway, I've nearly finished by very nice iced coffee so let's see what I can make of the day.

On the move again

On the limited express Ichizuchi from Takamatsu to Matsuyama. This morning went smoothly - up, packed and out on time and my reserved seat is in the front row of the first car! I intend to enjoy the scenery, but wouldn't be surprised if I sleep for a bit...

;_;

I pay about 650 yen for these in Zurich.

So what's it all about?

Why do people climb all the way up here? You can buy charms for happiness. I suppose nothing less would do.

I can't see any sign of a bus, and I rested frequently on the way up so I should make it down without incapacitating myself.

The second half is tougher than the first

Still resting

Lunch at the Shiseido Parlour restaurant just over halfway up to the main hall. Smoked chicken croissant sandwich and iced cafe au lait.

Correction

It's only 1,368 steps.
No, I'm still not going all the way. Maybe in the winter. I don't care about all the old people passing me by. Japanese old people are indestructible.

Halfway

I stopped halfway up for water and a sit down. The man at the stall cheerfully tells everyone who passes that they're halfway up and have 420-odd steps to go before the main hall.

I don't think I'll make it all the way to the top. It was cloudy this morning but the sun is out now and it's boiling. I saw signs for an infrequent bus service from the main hall at the station, and I may go for that. Even if I was fit, the heat is too much.

You can get carried up in a palanquin, for a fee!

This one's for you, Mom

Guess what Kotohira is famous for?

Stairs. Over 1,600 of them. Enjoy the photos, and let's not and say we did.

Slow down

I missed the train I wanted to get this morning - I got side-tracked by clearing up my hotel room as I'd done lots of washing the night before and had covered pretty much every available surface with the contents of my suitcase. So, instead of taking an express and changing, I'm on a direct local train to the temple complex of Kotohira-gu (Konpira-san to the locals), staring out the window at the amazing mountain scenery and enjoying the air conditioning.

I saw a man outside the travel agent in Takamatsu Station vaccuming the street outside, something I've only ever seen in Zurich before. There are definitely similarities.

Sanuki udon! Sort of.

My hunt for the area's famous noodles last night wasn't very succesful. There are an awful lot of ramen restaurants, and I normally avoid places with ticket machines outside the door (although I did go to a delicious one in Fukuoka). After passing by some that were empty and didn't look very appetising, and one that only did cold udon and was quite expensive, I was hungry and tired to go for a branch of a well-known Sanuki udon chain when I found it - I'd eaten at another branch in Tottori with Mr Ishii and knew it was quite nice. Udon in hot dashi soup with a soft-boiled egg, with some inari sushi, kara-age (fried chicken), tempura shrimp and fried veg on the side.