Woke up around 7:45 today to a rainy day. Got ready and went for a quick breakfast of miso soup, rice with bonito flakes and some pickles and some chicken and potatoes (I think).
Relaxed a bit after breakfast before checking out just before 11. Managed to fill up the car and head to a stop for lunch on the way to Matsuyama. Some light, periodic rain but not too bad as half the time we were in tunnels. Stopped at a small Michi no Eki that mainly had only bathrooms and vending machines. Looks like a farmer market may be there at times. There was also an onsen on the other side of the road that may be the reason people stop there.
Carried on to our lunch stop, which proved slightly challenging to get to as the car GPS didn’t seem to have the stop so we pulled into a gas station but this one was full serve so the people ran out to guide us to a spot and we topped up the tank. Got the destination into my phone Google maps and we made it to the stop. Was a road service area right off the expressway with bathrooms, a gas station, a little market and a restaurant area. I ordered the “special set” which had some chicken, salad, rice and miso soup. We then got an ice cream cone for dessert. Very creamy soft serve here – definitely better than DQ!
Used the washrooms, which had an electronic board to tell you which stalls are free! Bathrooms everywhere are very clean. You can see how many times a day they check them. The family bathroom had a small toilet and urinal for kids.
We considered checking out the Towel Museum a bit to the north as my Google maps said it was 22 min away in the restaurant but in the car it said 45 min so we decided that would be a bit tight as we had to return the car by 5. Apparently the area is known for its high quality towels.
It seemed getting on the expressway for the road station was not as easy as one would think as we seemed to have to drive 15-20 km back the way we came, exit the expressway, pull a u-turn and get back on. Managed to get going the right way and carried on to Matsuyama. Quite a bit of various road works – trimming greenery, changing light bulbs in tunnels and some repaving but you only slightly slow down and there were no delays.
The road to the rental return at the Matsuyama airport proved equally odd as you seemed to have to drive in circles. We made it to the Toyota Rent a Car and they were super efficient. They had gas on site so you stop in front of the pump and they fill it and give you a ticket with the cost. Then you pull up where they take the toll card and keys and you wait inside. The lady at the counter calls you and has the gas receipt and a print out of the toll charges. Charges and gas were about $115 so not too bad.
We took the rental car shuttle bus to the airport and caught a taxi to the hotel in town. Our hotel is centrally located, right in a covered shopping arcade.
Checked in to the hotel and put some wash in and then checked out the outdoor onsen while waiting for our wash.
After the onsen relaxed in the room waiting for the wash to dry. The TV has information on the ‘laundry situation’ to let you know the time elapsed.
Bought a peach alcoholic drink from the hotel vending machine to enjoy while waiting for the wash.
After our wash was done we walked across from the hotel to an izakaya that looked good and had private rooms. You placed your order from your phone and the food and drinks appeared shortly after. There was a large group of workers across the hall from our room that seemed to be having a rowdy celebration of some kind. Had a couple of beers and a number of dishes. They give you a salad as a ‘cover charge’.
Food and service was good and was nice to go somewhere close. Arcade was still pretty lively.
Headed back to the hotel to relax and update my blog. We’ll have a day of sightseeing around Matsuyama tomorrow.