Morning, June 10: Matsuyama, the oldest tourist spot in Japan

Pictures from our trip to Matsuyama are not available, but I wanted to note that when we went to Naoshima, we we went to arguably the newest tourist spot in Japan.  The previous day, we had been in Matsuyama, whose "Dogo Onsen" is supposedly the oldest tourist spot in Japan.  What made Matsuyama fun was that it was famous for being the residence of the Japanese poet who broke open the haiku form.  No longer did it have to be about nature, but it was open to the experiences of the author, whatever that those experiences might be.  The city today has boxes where you can drop in your haikus and the best ones will be published by a committee that evaluates them.  Here are my rather silly ones.  I've become enamored with the idea of "Pocari Sweat".  I'm writing a story about it, I'll have to publish that at some point.

Harmony Kitty

rode the expecation wave,

unsure were she Lands.

Fifty yen towels

soak up more than sweaty brows

and physics allow.

My pet Pocari

sweats until he thirstilly

drinks unto himself.