Fukuyama

Today has been truly amazing. After travelling west to Kobe, first stop was a visit to the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery (with compulsory tasting). The traditional style of sake making has been preserved in a museum style display which explained the process. We then continued to the town of Kurashiki and visited the Bikan Historical Quarter. It has scenic canals with historic merchant buildings, giving us an authentic taste of old Edo-period Japan. We were delighted to discover an Owl Cafe, with real owls on show. Yes, believe me these are for real. Our hotel for the next 2 nights is in Fukuyama.