Golden Week Road Trip: Foodies Read.

Golden Week is a set of three Holidays that fall close together in Japan and -- depending how they fall -- often give close to a week off from work to everyone in the country. It's also the most expensive, traffic filled, and gas price raised 20 cents time of the year. To avoid this, my friend Bryce, his girlfriend Kasumi and I drove down to Kochi-ken on Shikoku, one of the Southern islands of Japan. There were gorgeous beaches, surfing (I wanted to take a lesson but didn't get a chance), but we also had the good fortune of staying with Kasumi's aunt and uncle. Her uncle is a dentist by day, a devoted fisherman on weekends.

Two of the fish caught and eaten that day.
The cousins and myself scoping out the spread.

Below are photos of the beaches, castles, but most importantly, the feast of fresh sashimi, stews and other stuff we ate our first night. Without a doubt, the BEST meal I have eaten in Japan.

The whole meal. Some items pictured like the soup are just one serving for one person.

Three kinds of sashimi, two fish one lobster. Huge clams baked with spices, miso(maybe?) and mushrooms. Seared Bonito marinating in Yuzu Ponzo, Yuzu and onion. Taki stew. Asparagus Tempura. Fried River shrimp. Lobster Miso soup. And that's not even all of it.

Lobster Sashimi served in the shell with two other fish sashimi on either side.
Bryce lifting the fish to reveal the expertly sliced sashimi hidden inside.
Japan is a land of beautiful presentation in food.

Foodies enjoy. In my opinion, this is about as good as a Japanese meal gets.

Looking out from the castle's walls.
The view from the southernmost point of Shikoku.