Shikoku Day 1

We spent the long weekend on a road trip to Shikoku.  It is one of the five main islands of Japan and the fourth one I've been to.  We got lucky on the drive there and had no traffic.  It was nine hours not counting stops.  Even though it is an island we were able to drive to it by one very long bridge.  

Once we got to the island we went to an onsen before finding our airbnb.  It had been a while since we took the kids to one, and so I really wanted to go.  Scarlett and Tucker were the only two that didn't want to go, but they both came around.  They honestly didn't have much choice.  We mostly all had a good time.  I'm not sure how it went for the boys but we tried all the different baths including the outside ones and the freezing cold ones.  Scarlett and Penelope seemed a little uncomfortable, especially Scarlett, but they made it though.  Calista and Beatrix really help to ease the tension.  Them running around the place naked without a care in the world lightened the mood.  The Japanese women, children and elderly alike, loved them.  They even made a friend.  

After the onsen we drove the hour to the airbnb.  It was on a historical street. 

All the homes were well maintained traditional Japanese homes.  It was beautiful.

The inside was traditional as well... meaning very cold.  They had updated it with heaters though so we were ok with those running.  The house isn't really insulated so the heaters needed to be going pretty much nonstop.  To get to the toilet we had to walk outside.  It was interesting.  The kitchen seemed to be an addition to the house, and I wondered if the toilet area was as well.

Of course the beds were traditional mats on the tatami floor.  Vacationing in Japan is like one giant sleepover.

We got up early the next day for more driving.  I saw one of the best lake reflections I've ever seen.  I had to pull over and take pictures.  The image in the water was so clear.

Next stop, scarecrow village.