Matsuyama

The next stop was Matsuyama. We decided while in Hakodate that we should try to visit the 4 major islands in Japan, so Matsuyama seemed an obvious choice for a location in Shikoku since it is the largest city on the island. We also found out that there was the oldest onsen in Japan in Dogo, a suburb of Matsuyama, so Leo was very excited to experience that.

For dinner on the first night we found a noddle place known for their 5 colored soba noodles. Although the noodles themselves tasted a bit like angel hair pasta, the sauce they were in and the fish served along with them were wonderful.

Both nights we were in Matsuyama, we went to ex-pat bars. We had expected them to be full of Brits or Australians (this is Jim, and yes he is British)
but they were filled with people from all over the place - Germany, China, Thailand, Israel. It really is a very interesting experience and we met some really great people.
We did make it to the onsen in Dogo. The building is beautiful and I'm told (since I haven't seen the movie yet) that this is the onsen which is in the movie "Spirited Away." In the bath, the walls are covered with white and blue painted tiles and the water pours out from a stone fountain. Even I was able to relax in such a nice place.