Uchiko

We went to this great place called Uchiko in Aichi-prefecture while we were staying at my grandma's house. It's very famous, because a lot of old buildings survive there and it also still continues it's candle making heritage.

It took us a while to get there on the train (we set out at some ungodly hour) but once there, we were surprised at the size, or should I say lack of, of Uchiko. It's the tiniest place with the only attraction in the area being said street of old buildings and history of candle making, as well as a big steam locomotive in front of the station. I don't know why the locomotive was there...

We wanted to post our parcel, so we asked at the station where the post office was. They told us go down this street and to your right and you'll find it. It'll take you five minutes to get there. So we walk and after a while we're a bit confused, because there is no post office in sight. So I see this old lady in a shop and after scaring her to death at being able to speak japanese, she tells me the way to the post office. Down this street and over the bridge and to your left. It'll take you five minutes. Thank you!

So we walk. Still no post office. So I find a man in a liquor shop and I ask him the way. Yes, you guessed it, it takes five minutes down his way too.

We did make it in the end. Once we got there, we thought it was shut at which point I was looking for something to kick, but they were open. We just had to find this tiny hatch and then ring a special bell and wait for someone to open the hatch and then explain what we want to do. Apart from that, it was easy! After we got out, we ate a sandwich on the steps of the post office, we were that exhausted!!

Anyway, on to the old street and to the candlemakers! We found them too and it was lovely. This old man sits on the floor and he's got a massive bowl with melted hot wax in it. In one hand he holds about six long sticks covered with silk and straw and he would dip his other hand into the hot wax and then roll the sticks over his hand, thus coating them and slowly making candles. It reallyw as amazing and the candles are beautiful. It's just very painful to watch... but he's used to it and he's not wearing gloves or anything - yowwwwz!

We also learned a lot about the candle making process and the history of it and it was all very interesting. Some of the houses are so old and people still live in them normally, day to day. It's kind of strange but very nice at the same time.

After browsing and getting cultured, we made our way back to the train station to wait for our train back to Matsuyama, because we were going to Dogo Onsen. Ooooh, almost forgot, we saw the cutest cat at the station. Had to mention it - will include picture if possible.

Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama is the oldest and most famous natural hot spring in Japan. There has been a bath house there since forever and the emperor used to go there too and take a bath as the water is meant to be so good for you and have lots of healing properties. That's all great, but you see, in a japanese spa, people just get naked with each other.

I'd been before, albeit a long time ago, but I knew what to expect. I think Phil was feeling slightly more hesitant about the whole thing though, especially as he had already been tutored by my cousins on how to behave in the bath and what to do, as you have to wash first and do stuff like that befor actually getting into the bath.

But guess what, it was brilliant! I went off to the ladies and he went off to the mens and we met up after looking like a pair of lobsters. I saw some funny stuff and I bet Phil did too. But the water was great and it was very relaxing. Afterwards, we went for a stroll and watched the Dogo Onsen clock strike 17.00 after an elderly man made a speech about the clock and sang several songs. I didn't really understand a word he said...

After that, we grabbed some munchies and went home. What a day!