12 Jun 2023

The Hidden Pearls of Uwajima

The weather prediction was for rain, and even thunder, so it was not a surprise when Heritage Adventurer arrived at Uwajima to a heavy shower. But the rain turned to drizzle along the way and soon stopped altogether. Whichever one of us in charge of the weather deserves a raise.

Our first item on today's agenda was at the Doi Pearl Farm to watch experienced hands shuck a few oysters and carefully pry out pearls. Inside the shed the workers were busy with the other end of the process, the seeding of the oyster to produce this lustrous gem. Of course, this gave plenty of reasons not to go away empty handed- shopping bags were seen in many hands with smiling faces.

The next stop was also for local produce, albeit much more humble. The steeply terraced potato fields at Yusumizugaura were almost unbelievable. The tour up the track gave only the barest taste of the work to create these growing patches, and the toil to farm them. These must have been (and still are) stout-hearted people. Back at the restaurant at the bottom, they provided the product of their labour with boiled new potatoes - a tasty mid-morning snack.

The afternoon excursion started with a climb to the top of the hill to reach Uwajima Castle. This is a rather different castle - much more compact and homey - and one of only twelve remaining in their original condition in all of Japan. The Tenshaen Garden nearby was lovely, carefully tended, and the pond full of voracious carp gave gentle reflections. A final treat was the Nishimoto Sake Brewery for a nice family welcome, a tour of their facilities, and a sample of their award-winning products - delicious!

Images (c) by: S.Tranmer