24 Eyes –  April 10, 2025 

  • Location:  Shodo-shima Island – Day 1
  • Walk:  24 Eyes Movie Set
  • Weather:  55-65°/ chance of rain 5-10 mph 

Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village is an island attraction for cult film aficionados. A nice buzz about the village with equal number of period dwellings and trinkets shops. 

Street scene on movie set.
Retro movie theater admission counter.
Classroom set.
Canadian Ania helped pass the hours on the bus rides. We both had contemplated getting about the island more independently. She on a bike and me by foot. We realized what folly that was once we encountered the traffic.

Bus Schedule –  April 10, 2025 

  • Location:  Shodo-shima Island – Day 1
  • Walk:  24 Eyes Movie Set
  • Weather:  55-65°/ chance of rain 5-10 mph 

A true test of my travel skills was deciphering the Japanese island bus schedule. Perhaps the real test of my travel skills was riding the local bus 1 hour for 8 miles. 

Come fly with me. Ferry ride.
Only option if you don’t have a ferry ticket.
Lady in kimono paying bus fare
Namiyo turns the “dough” in the bowl and Saburo hammers it with similar mallet. This dish is annually prepared around New Year’s Day.

Kirashiki Streets –  April 9, 2025 

  • Location:  Okayama – Day 2
  • Walk:  Kirashiki
  • Weather:  50-70°/ partly cloudy, wind 15-25 mph

OVERVIEW

WALK: 10m from Hotel Best Grande Okayama to Okayama Station 

TRAIN: 30m from Okayama Station to Kirashiki 

WALK: 10m from Kirashiki Station to Historic Kirashiki District

TRAIN: 30m from Kirashiki Station to Okayama Station

WALK: 10m from Kirashiki Station to Hotel Best Grande Okayama 

Thirty minutes by train from Okayama is Kirashiki, a historic district that flourished from rice trade from 1600-1850’s. Canals were constructed between large warehouses to float rice to the port. Today the warehouses have become shops and eateries with a small peppering of period residents. 

Kirashiki.
View from a Kirashiki’s period residence.
Today’s lady in kimono.
Swarming tourists with phone or food in hand.

Korahuen Garden –  April 8, 2025

  • Location:  Okayama – Day 1
  • Walk:  Okayama 
  • Weather:  45-75°/ partly cloudy, wind 15-25 mph HOLD ONTO YOUR HAT.

OVERVIEW

WALK: 5m from Hotel Miyjima Villa to Miyajima Port 

FERRY: 15m from Miyajima Port on JR Ferry to Miyajimaguchi Port 

WALK: 5m from Miyajimaguchi Port to Miyajimaguy Station 

TRAIN:  45m @ 11:03pm from Miyajimaguchi Station on Tokaifo*San-yo Line to Hiroshima Station @11:31pm

TRAIN: 1h 30m @ 11:38pm from Hiroshima Station on Kodaka 850 Line CAR 5 SEAT 12-A to Okayama Station @12:55pm 

WALK: 15m from Okayama Station to Hotel Best Grande Okayama

Korahuen Garden one of the three best gardens in Japan. It powerfully showcases all for seasons. 

Korahuen Garden.
Stepping Stones.
Japanese Maple Trees.
Japanese maple trees in the spring.

By Night –  April 7, 2025 

  • Location:  Itsukushima Island – Day 2
  • Walk:  Miyajima
  • Weather:  55-65°/ sunny, wind 10-15 mph 

Miyajima by night. Sushi splurge at a Michelin awarded restaurant. The sushi chef is an artist. The sushi was so delicious, light, distinct in flavor, and the presentation a work of art. The evening was further enhanced by chatting with the neighboring couple at the bar. How will I ever go back to Kansas?

Sushi Chef.
Couple had lived in LA at the time of the Twin Towers Explosion. Their daughter lives in NYC. I supported the mother’s plans to visit her daughter monthly. A daughter needs her mother.
Humble entrance. Dinner by reservation only.
Torii gate at dusk.