Leg 8 is done, from Kobe (RJBE) to Takamatsu (RJOT). Lots to see today.
As usual, here’s the full gallery:
I take off from Kobe airport and immediately fly over the city’s relevant port and its tower, which is a well-known tourist attraction.
Another look at the super-long Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, that connects Kobe to Iwaya.
Before continuing west, I fly north for a few minutes to reach Himeji, flying over the famous Himeji Castle. It’s the largest, most beautiful, and most famous castle in Japan. The current castle was rebuilt by Ikeda Terumasa at the beginning of the 17th century.
Back over Japan’s inland sea, flying over the island of Shodoshima, which also gives the name to the largest town on the island.
I fly over Shikoku and reach Takamatsu, the capital city of Kagawa prefecture and one of the cities with photogrammetry added by the World Update. Here you can see the port, Takamatsu Symbol Tower (which is the tallest structure in the city), and the train station.
The city has a public golf course on an artificial island. Not joking.
Another view of Takamatsu with Takamatsu Keirin. As the name indicates, it’s a well-known bicycle racetrack. Nearby you can also see Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital and its super-visible helipad.
At the base of the hill named Shiudeyama you can find the beautiful Ritsurin Garden with its two ponds, traditional teahouse, and the Sanuki Folk Art Museum.
Behind the Symbol Tower we can see the gardens of Takamatsu Castle, built in 1590 by Ikoma Chikamasa. It’s one of the three castles built on waterfront in Japan. Unfortunately, the keep is gone, but the foundation has recently been rebuilt with the plan of restoring the whole thing. One of the towers also remains.
The eastern part of the city is dominated by the Yashima lava plateau. At the top is the Shingon temple Yashima-ji and the New Yashima Aquarium.
Approach and landing at Takamatsu Airport, a relatively small airport that receives mostly domestic flights and a few international ones from Korea, Taiwan, and China. Yes, if you’re wondering, Taiwan and China are different countries. 
