Slept right through to my alarm at 7 am this morning and snoozed until 7:30 before getting up to get ready.   The water pressure in this shower is amazing!

Went down to the included breakfast buffet and had some udon soup with tempura and various pickle dishes.   This is the same chain I stayed at around Hokkaido and their breakfast buffets include local specialities.

Was a great day to head to the Ritsurin Garden – sunny and 23 C.  After breakfast we walked to the garden, which was about 10 minutes from the hotel by foot. 

Spent about 3.5 hours walking around the garden,  stopping for a drink.

The park is large and a national site.   Not a lot of flowers but was very scenic and not crazy busy.   A few tour groups including some Americans on a cruise stop.

Saw a lot of koi and some turtles.   A few little shops and cafes inside the park to stop at and there’s a little boat that goes around one of the ponds.

After the garden,  we stopped at a very local izakaya on the way back to the hotel.   You grabbed some little items and could order udon or rice separately.   No English or photos but I managed to order the rice and beer without issue 😆.  The lady asked us where we were from and I was able to tell her so she seemed very impressed that I could speak some Japanese.   Had a little lunch and a beer before heading back towards the hotel. 

Stopped at the Family Mart across from the hotel and grabbed some drinks and snacks.

Went to the hotel onsen on the 11th floor for a soak and steam sauna while we put some laundry in to wash.   This hotel has the laundry conveniently located in the onsen area.   Enjoyed a soda flavored popsicle afterwards.

After a bit of a break we headed out to explore a bit before grabbing dinner.   Took the bus down towards the water and then walked past the castle as the sun was setting.

Decided to try a local place for dinner that served the local special bone-in chicken.   Definitely very local oriented as there was a customer smoking at the table next to us that seemed like he goes there a lot.  Ordered the young chicken set, which came with oden to start followed by the chicken with cabbage.

The chicken was very flavourful and tender and the beer and cabbage helped cut through the fat.  The elderly lady cooking gave us each a lollipop on our way out!

Caught an Uber back to the hotel to relax and have an early night.   Picking up the rental car tomorrow to head to Iya Valley.