Kagawa

2008-08-14T13:29:05Z

Sanuki Udon Noodle @ Tanigawa beikokuten shop

Click here to read more about "Sanuki Udon Noodle."

Our travelers have made a small mistake by calling udon "buckwheat noodles." Soba noodles are made of buckwheat, but udon is made with plain wheat flour.

Sanuki Udon Noodle @ Yamagoe Udon shop

Click here to read more about "Sanuki Udon Noodle."

Ritsurin Park

Click here to read more about "Ritsurin Park."

Yokogawa Station

2008-08-13T13:13:22Z

We scratched our heads, shook hands, and with a nudge and a wink were off in different directions. As i returned to my flat, i reached into my bag and felt a long wooden staff with bells, i smiled and thought, yes!, i will be returning again, sometime soon.

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And as if by magic.....

2008-08-13T12:38:42Z

...the wizard of Japan Quest Central Command, Morita-chan, appeared at the entrance of Hiroshima station, "Welcome back boys and thankyou!, sorry i must rush, i'm going to Tokushima!!", ....had it all been a dream!?....

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Pre-booked.....

2008-08-13T11:05:40Z

During the~Obon~holiday period in Japan, when departed spirits return home, travel is so busy . Reserve your seats in advance if you want to sit next to your friends...
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Finale

2008-08-13T07:43:19Z

~...and now the end is near..-
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The Inland Sea

2008-08-13T07:37:13Z

From Takamatsu to Okayama, island hopping over the beautiful ~Seto Nakai~ is the ~Seto Ohashi~. Meaning 'big bridge', it's a whopper!!. At 12.3 km long!, including six bridges and four viaducts, two train tracks and a four lane motorway, it is an incredible feat of engineering and architectural wonder. I have in fact mistakenly tried to cycle across before, but you won't get very far as it's all motorway!!. I suggest catching a local train, one stop, then back. The view, especially at sunset is simply breathtaking. The Inland Sea has thousands upon thousands of islands, pristine and secluded, most too small to be inhabited...a huge natural zen garden!.
Anyway next stop, (as i dab my eyes), is Okayama and then the end of our Quest, boo! hoo!.
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Ritsurin-koen.

2008-08-13T06:45:32Z

Takamatsu's Ritsurin park is a classic example of ~daimyo style~ Edo era beauty. One of Japan's top three together with ~Korakuen~ in Okayama and ~Kenrokoen~ in Kannazawa. It's like an oasis of tranquility and calm, a classical and spacious example of 400 year old botanical brains. As you escape the summer heat and just simply switch off from the outside world, a peaceful presence radiates through your body and permeates you head. The pond wildlife so abundant, a cool breeze brushing your face, the rustle of leaves and movement of the lily's, the ciccada's so chirpy,
You feel totally refreshed and slip into a natural meditative state. You can clearly imagine a Samurai pushing his boat out with his female companion or giggling noble ladies picnicing in the shade. The tall pines ~takai matsu~ hold a regal and saintly status as you stare up and sip cool green tea ~Omatcha~..

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A rare lily! oh really!

2008-08-13T04:44:04Z

We have now arrived in Takamatsu on Shikoku's north coast.
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Family business

2008-08-13T04:02:28Z

With hundreds hungry patiently in line, the open Udon kitchen is a frenzy of activity. Ghostly white flour covered dough kneaders, rollers, slicers, boilers, servers and slurpers.

ding ding! Round 2...

2008-08-13T03:20:07Z

...and he has beaten me again!!. At our first stop at the riverside restaurant~Tanikawa~ we had plain Udon with spicy green chilli sauce, the taste really lip lingering. Our second stop ~sowewhere over the mountain~ at ~Yamagoe~, we ate ~kamatama~ Udon, believe it or not, yummy raw egg!.. Originating here, this flavour is now famous throughout Japan, highly recommended.
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NO WHERE

2008-08-13T03:15:44Z

YAMAGOE Udon is in the middle of no where its worth the time and effort]]>

Ittadakimasu!!

2008-08-13T02:53:03Z

" ...and remember boys to traditionally slurp and burp?!! to show enjoyment and appreciation!`. Wow! it's so delicious! Ray has already finished!!....buurpp! Toyko has 12,000,000 people and 900 McDonalds, Kagawa has 1,000,000 inhabitants (in the whole prefecture) and 900 Udon restaurants!!. Although it took me three attempts to pass my G.C.S.E maths, i can easily see that that Kagawans simply love their traditional reputable dish. Udon here is mouthwateringly delicious, without any exaggeration, you will never taste better. Japanese from all corners, make a slurp and burp pilgrimage to satisify their savoury senses. In otherwise quiet and remote rural areas, you find long drooling queues and packed car parks. As you Udon hop from restaurant to restaurant, valley to valley, bowl to bowel, there is an exciting animated atmosphere bumping into the same people. Groups of bikers, cyclists, students, grandmothers and families, singing and smiling in the summer sun, make it all great fun.
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Mouth waterers

2008-08-13T02:33:19Z

Even arriving 90 minutes before opening time, we were not the first in line. We spoke to fellow queuers who had travelled far and wide, Awa O Dori last night and Udon touring and tasting today.
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Udon mania

2008-08-13T02:27:03Z

Kagawa is famed for it's freshest of the fresh, buckwheat noodles. People make a pilgrimage from all corners of the land to sink their teeth and slurp.
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Get in line

2008-08-13T02:15:00Z

We arrived at the Udon shop in the mountains thats in the middle of no where at 9:45 to eat 1 of the best japanese dishes at 1 of the most famous places I was like what is so spcial and now I know why its the noddles]]>

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