Back on it….so…we arrived in Fukuoka unscathed. We stayed at our good friend’s, (Kenta) place-Khaosan Fukuoka. He also took us to an awesome Izakaya where we dined on sashimi, seafood, baked tuna and tons of Shochu-really was a blast. Khaosan Fukuoka is a really established and successful guesthouse also, so it’s good for us to learn a bit from a pro!!
Near the end of my trip at Sen, we took the short trip to Kashima Island. It is only a short train ride from Matsuyama, and Matt and Nori had been meaning to check it out. While we had no expectations, it became one of the highlights of my time on Shikoku. A brief walk from the train is a ferry station serviced by a small boat topped with a fiberglass deer, introducing us to island’s claim to fame. We even saw an O-Henro disembarking as we waited for our turn to board the ferry.
About 2 weeks ago, the lady and I decided it was time to close up shop for 5 days, and embark on a bit of pilgrimage; her to do another leg of O-henro with her bud Yumi; me to walk the Kumano Kodo. I was well excited to camp for 3 nights in the beautiful mountains and forests of the Kii peninsula-I’ve heard such wonderful things about it while living in Osaka, and to pay my respects at the various shrines and oji I encountered along my pilgrimage.
