Matsuyama to just outside of Matsuyama! 18.3 km
A shorter day due to challenges finding accommodation in the next section. The listed places are invariably closed as there is a festival on this weekend – although it seems that there is a festival every weekend in October, so we having to be a bit creative on finding places to sleep without resorting to sleeping in the great outdoors!
Today, as a change to yesterday’s south to north traverse, we went east to west to visit Temples Taisanji (52) and Enmyoji (53). The traverse was about what you’d expect walking across a city, but the route soared us the worst of city traffic, and Temple 52 was a calming oasis on a hill (normal service has been resumed!)
After Temple 53 we headed towards the coast through a more industrial area – our first exposure to anything other than commercial or residential neighbourhoods. Fortunately it didn’t last long, but being another very hot abd sunny day we became well acquainted with a number of convenience stores along the way!
Due to the accommodation challenges we’re staying at a waterfront “resort” several kilometres short or an ideal end point for the day. The building seems to be recently renovated, but not all the original features are back to their prime: our room once boasted a sauna in the bathroom, and rooms on the floor below once had salt water hot tubs. It is the off season, so the place is not busy, and its restaurant, bar and pool area are all closed, but despite this, it’s the most luxurious accommodation so far on this trip, so we enjoyed the sunset from the balcony. Max and I went for a swim in the ocean, which shocked the woman at the reception, but the water was the perfect temperature for a swim.
The inevitable sunset photos:
