Wineshark Japan Trip - Kagawa 2023 (Day 1)

For this trip I have picked Kagawa 香川県 as destination. Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan, located in the northern part of Shikoku 四国, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. Even though there is direct flight by HK Express to Takamatsu 高松市, the largest city in Kagawa, we still opt to travel on Cathay Pacific, using the Vantage Pass we purchased earlier in the year. It is a special deal for two sets of business-class tickets at discount, with this leg costing $9,300 per person only. The drawback is the limit of maximum 7 travel days in each leg, plus we will be landing at Osaka, meaning a longer drive before reaching Kagawa.

Taking CX596 on the day, we arrive at HK International Airport early morning. It is not crowded and after a smooth check-in, we go to The Wings for breakfast. I have Dan Dan Noodles, Siu Mai and BBQ Pork Bun, while Ivy chooses Wonton Noodles. Both are decent.

After a short rest we proceed to the gate, and found the flight is delayed. While the boarding time is only 15 minutes late, there are further delays on pushback. The journey is uneventful, but the meal is not appealing. Seeing how Typhoon No. 6 has been ravaging Okinawa 沖縄, I am worried it will affect this trip as the typhoon is heading towards Kyushu 九州 in the next few days. The pilot has managed to catch up some time enroute, but we are still almost 45 minutes behind schedule on arrival.

At immigration, it dawns on me that even though I have registered and used Visit Japan Web previously, I forgot to add this trip. We end up having to complete the paper form on the spot in a scramble. Fortunately, there are very few people in the hall, and we manage to complete the process, get our luggage, and pass through customs speedily.

We then proceed to Aeroplaza to pick up the rental car from TOYOTA Rent a Car. I have always used their service as the cars are very new and in good condition. The registration at the counter is completed efficiently. I booked a C3 Class Corolla Hybrid, including ETC card rental and liability exclusion coverage. The total cost is 77,330 yen for 6 days of rental.

As it will be a bit late if driving all the way to Kagawa, I have planned to stay in Sumoto Onsen 洲本温泉 in Awaji-shima 淡路島 for the first night, on route also making a stop at Awaji SA to freshen up. This large highway service area is a popular stop-over, with a 65-metre Ferris wheel and an observation deck looking out to Akashi Kaikyo Bridge 明石海峡大橋, the second longest suspension bridge in the world, connecting Kobe 神戸市 and Awaji-shima.

Besides having some snacks, I also visit the Starbucks store there. Having the gorgeous view of the bridge in background, we enjoy the seasonal Momo Frappuccino to cool down from the soaring heat. We both like the beverage a lot as it got a lot of peach puree, authentic and premium.

Soon we arrive at Sumoto Onsen, on the eastern seaside of Awaji. Our hotel for the night is Nagisa no Shou Hanagoyomi 渚の荘 花季, part of the Hotel New Awaji Group.

After registration we pick our preferred yukata at the Iro Yukata 彩浴衣 Boutique.

The staff brings us to Room 503. We have booked Haruka 波瑠香 Type A, a Japanese-Western Room with terrace and open-air bath. The Western half has twin beds, while the Japanese half is of 8 mats in size, with a total area about 60 sq. m. It can accommodate a total of 5 people maximum. The cost per night was 88,000 yen (including dinner and breakfast for two).

The open terrace looks out to Seto Inland Sea 瀬戸内海, with a wave breaker in the bay and a small pier where some people are fishing. A very tranquil and peaceful view.  

The room has a private open-air onsen bath. Its water comes from Sumoto Onsen, a Simple Springs 単純温泉, with its water quality mild and soothing. The hotel also has scenic garden public baths 風の音 / 波の音, and for those who want to explore can also visit the baths of nearby hotels under the group, including Hotel New Awaji and Awaji Yumensenkei 淡路夢泉景.

Dinner is served at Akura 安坐, and we are provided a semi-private space with the table facing out the window, overlooking the beautiful harbour and sea view to accompany our dinner. I order a bottle of 花の大吟醸 (4,235 yen) from Awaji local brewery 千年一酒造.

The appetizer is Seasonal Colourful Appetizers 旬惠彩り八寸.

Next is Steamed Egg Custard 茶碗蒸し.

The third course is Summer Sashimi 夏のお造り.

The fourth course is Seven Seasonal Delicacies in Earthen Pot 七福宝楽焼, a local specialty, with sea bream, turban shells, shrimp and other ingredients including vegetables placed in an unglazed pot, on top of kombu above some red-hot stones, so the food are steam-roasted, retaining the original delicious taste of the seasonal delicacies to the full extent. A must try in my opinion.

The fifth course is Awaji Beef Shabu Shabu 淡路牛のしゃぶしゃぶ, featuring Awaji’s prized and specialty ‘Awaji Beef’, which had its roots in Tajima Beef 但馬牛. The beef is flavourful and I also like them not too fatty. Truly delicious.

The sixth course is Awaji White Rice 淡路米の白ご飯, Pickles お漬物 and Miso Soup of Seafood Broth 魚介出汁たっぶり味噌汁.

Final course is Today’s Dessert 本日のデザート, which has Pear and Strawberry on top of Raspberry Jelly Panna Cotta.

Retiring to the room after a full meal, sitting at the terrace looking out to the sea, with the bright full moon casting a silver line on the sea surface, is comfortable, relaxing, and peaceful.