Pat's Blog

Quite a few years ago and old acquaintance and keen yachtsman took me cruising a few times around the Inland Sea in the Takamatsu area. This is the world’s busiest waterway and relatively shallow (average depth 37.3 meters).



But the sheer volume of sea traffic in unseen to the human eyes, runs through designated lanes. These traffic routes or shipping lanes, are supervised around the clock by radar, powerful binoculars and positioned cameras all over the highest points in the Inland Sea. Japan Coast Guard’s traffic control center staff high up on Aoyama in the town of Utazu are the overseers. So for yachtsmen it means there’s not much time to forget about vigilance.



Well over 800 very big, large and largish vessels pass under the Great Seto Bridge in a single day. Fishermen have rights to fish in any areas they see fit, so the coast guard must prioritize the position of fishing boats over large vessels. No easy task.



I have often snorkeled with friends in these waters and recall many happy memories of eating fresh abalone and drinking a few cold beers.




My good pal and fellow blogger Cathy Hirano wrote an excellent piece in her blog about the company Foucault. The site is in Japanese only, but they’re working on and English version to be posted soon.

http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp

http://www.foucault.co.jp/

https://www.facebook.com/foucault.setouchi

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I was also asked to experience a cruise with Foucault on one of their catamarans to write this piece. Life can be difficult .. Foucault is open to any ideas for cruising and will make a plan for you with what I think are reasonable fees. The Sunset Cruises are popular, the onboard staff very friendly and the experience unforgettable. Foucault will take you to any of over 100 deserted islands where you can swim, snorkel and have a BBQ. They can of course suggest a plan if you don’t have one. This company has my personal recommendation.

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Upcoming events in Kagawa!!

Kagawa Waterfront Festival;

July 19-August 8. Will include 15-minute hologram shows on a giant water screen in the sea. Come and enjoy art, dynamic historical storytelling, and entertainment. Shows are at 19:40, 20:30 and 21:20 at Sunport. For more details (in Japanese) see: http://www.pref.kagawa.jp/seto80/event/waterfront.html

Sensory Dining in Tamamo Park;

Gourmet cuisine together with works by top artists here in Kagawa and local craftspeople. This will be a special dining experience. Details are not up yet but last year this special event ran from August 10 through 18. Information will be posted on their website soon: http://www.takumikumo.com/shiro-cafe/

For more info on Takamatsu:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Takamatsu

http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/

http://tia-takamatsu.jp/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/eg/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/special/visitor/kanko/index.htm

http://www.i-pal.or.jp/profile/topics/kagawas-welcome-card.html

Other bloggers in Takamatsu of interest:

http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp

http://ogijima.com

http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~tmath/home/
  

Takamatsu’s waterfront area is world class. One of the best, and to commemorate the Inland Sea’s becoming the first national park 80 years ago, there will be some special events starting July 19th and running through until August 8th


There will be a hologram projected somehow on to a screen of water mist pumped in to the air with the theme of “Genpei Gasen” or the Genpei Wars, an historical battle between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan. A time of political turbulence and fierce clan rivalry for the Japanese throne.

I went to the Sunport area and watched the crew working on an anchored on a barge off the shoreline and testing this display. It looked pretty good but the photos I took didn’t, so I took these from the official promotion’s materials.


People watching will be able to interact with the hologram using smartphones with the link for the event. Fishing for fish created by the hologram, or catching hologram generated monsters created by the events creaters; TeamLab.

http://www.team-lab.net/en

As you can see from TeamLab’s English site, they’re a very creative group so this should be a wonderful event!

Along with the hologram displays, there will be a wide variety of other performances, street artists, jugglers, food stalls, music by a Self Defense Force big band in the white tent structure in Sunport etc.

Times: The events will start from 17:00 to 21:00, 3 times every night. The hologram display will be held 3 times per evening at the following times.

1st 19:40

2nd 20:30

3rd 21:20

This event will be popular and although free, due to limited numbers, you’ll need a ticket. You can get an advanced ticket (recommended) using Ticketpia at any Lawsons or 7/11 convenience store.

Alternatively, on the day starting at 5:00 at the ticket booth near the Mikayla restaurant on the foreshore and this is very easy to find. Mikayla has two sweeping white arches on either side and a large lit sign in English.

Other events and news!

An enjoyable collaboration of Japanese & Italian food and table wear created by artists. Together with jazz piano songs (available only with meal bookings)

7/19th ( Sat.) ~ 27th.(Sun) 23th off.

Link. http://www.takumikumo.com

place : Hiunkaku in Tamamo Park

time ; 17:45 ~ 19:45 20;00 ~ 22:00

charge 8,500 yen (including tax , not including drinks)

contact [mail] info@takumikumo.com

[tell] 087-881-2933 ( 10:00 ~ 17:00 ) weekdays only.

Other bloggers in Takamatsu of interest:

http://cathy.ashita-sanuki.jp

http://ogijima.com

http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~tmath/home/


Where we are:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Takamatsu

http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/english/

http://www.my-kagawa.jp/special/visitor/kanko/index.htm

http://www.i-pal.or.jp/profile/topics/kagawas-welcome-card.html