Anybody in Japan Mar 1 - May 27 2020? Advice, tips wanted

[GreyBoy]

Doing a work-stay in Ehime (southeastern coast), and some travelling. Will be alone. My first Jknife is a Wat, since he's near Sakai I was thinking of visiting him and buying one more from him, if he'll have me.

Anyone near there? Maybe my host will be open to having a guest. I'll be there for almost three months. Travel advice MUCH appreciated. I love trains, hiking, beer, sailing, of course food, anime...
Will probably need to buy clothes, souvenirs.
Excited and nervous!

Gboy

Edit: Watanabe is far as heck from Sakai, but it's along my route of travel... (Doh!) Thanks for correction

 

[parbaked]

Watanabe is in Sanjo, so not near to Sakai or Ehime.
You might want to check out knife makers in Tosa, which is at least on the same island.

 

[GreyBoy]

Ahh, is that so? Yea, in Niigata prefecture? Maybe I read it wrong, but it looked like Sakai is directly on the way to Sanjō.... Like, from the south, going by train. A two-day trip from Ehime, at least that or longer.
Who should I check out in Tosa?

 

[GreyBoy]

Ah yes lol now that I zoom out, it's quite far, but definitely on the way