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Japan

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:::::::::Shikoku Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The fourth largest, but least visited of Japan's main islands, Shikoku offers a far more rural character than that found in much of Honshu. Although renowned domestically for its 88-temple circuit (Hachiju-hakkasho), the island sees fewer foreign tourists than nearly any other region of Japan (apart from, perhaps, Tohoku). Shikoku's name stems from the four historic provinces of Sanuki, Tosa, Iyo and Awa, who have their modern inheritors in the prefectures of Kagawa, Kochi, Ehime and Tokushima respectively. The principal cities of the region are the prefectural capitals, Takamatsu, Kochi, Matsuyama and Tokushima, which also serve as convenient tourist centers. Other cities such as Marugame, Kotohira and Uwajima have their own attractions for visitors, but much of the island's charm lies in the mountainous countryside. For anyone seeking an extended stay, the 88-temple pilgrimage is probably the island's greatest attraction. Though naturally it is most properly pursued on foot (for which one should allow for one to two months), other, modern pilgrims often choose to go by bicycle or car. Those visitors not wishing to spend such an extensive time in the region may choose to base themselves in the cities, with the occasional jaunt to surrounding areas. Although train service runs to most cities, many of the island's rural attractions are best visited with private transportation. One such area is the Iya Valley, west of Tokushima, which is well-known for its traditional folk architecture and vine bridges. Despite its mountainous terrain, Shikoku is considered one of Japan's best areas for cycling. ___________Tours and Excursions Edit This We arrange a wide range of tours and visits to suit different needs and interests; we provide tours on Culture, Trekking, Textiles, Festivals, Flora & Fauna, Bird watching, Religious Tours, Mountain Biking, Photography tour and other adventures. Please contact us if you need any further information:tourbhutan@druknet.bt http://www.tourbhutantravel.com ::::::Hiwasa, Tokushima, Japan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see In Tokushima Prefecture, about two hours south of Tokushima City, is the small coastal town of Hiwasa. The train station rents bicycles (no children's sizes), but Hiwasa is small to explore comfortably on foot. The station area is not particularly remarkable, but there are some reasonable beaches within a 20-30-minutes' walk. In June, loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay eggs, so the beaches are then restricted. If you really enjoy turtles, there is also a Sea Turtle Museum with interesting displays, pictures, and videos, though most are in Japanese; since the museum hatches and releases turtles into the wild, there might be very small hatchlings swimming in the indoor tanks and larger turtles in the outdoor pools. Perhaps the biggest draw in Hiwasa is the outstanding Yakuouji Temple, #23 on the Shikoku temple circuit. The temple is built on two levels, both with good views down over Hiwasa and out over the ocean: the first has a small carp pond and a gong to strike for good health; the second has a distinctive orange column tower. Pay the small fee to walk down the stairs that lead into a pitch black tunnel; grope your way through it, as through the life it symbolizes, until you reach the lit (i.e., enlightened) room at the end with a very old illustrated scroll showing the stages of life from birth to death to graphic decay to dust again. There are seasonal attractions, including an Iron Man contest. A nod to the local fishing industry, there is also an Ise Ebi Lobster Festival. Those staying in Hiwasa might consider the Hiwasa Youth Hostel, although there is a large hotel near the museum and overlooking the ocean. :::::::Kochi Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The former castle town of historic Tosa province, Kochi is a modern city of some 320,000 on Shikoku's Pacific coast. The prefecture itself bears the brunt of many typhoons and sees heavy rain compared to the relatively dry Inland Sea coast of Shikoku. Historically considered an isolated and rugged region, Tosa was famous for its independent spirit and rough nature. Kochi prefecture, and even Kochi city proper to some extent, has retained some of that reputation. The star attraction of the city is Kochi-jo, a small, original castle perched atop a hill near the town center. Most of its buildings and fortifications were destroyed in the anti-feudal fits of the Meiji Restoration. From the intact donjon, visitors can get great views over Kochi. An original gate, Ote-mon, has been preserved at the foot of the hill. East of the center is the mountain park of Godai-san-koen. Chikurin-ji, founded in 724 and the 31st of Shikoku's famed 88-temple circuit, sits nearby. Around 13km south of Kochi is the beach area of Katsura-hama. The area is also home to an aquarium and the Kochi Prefectural Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, dedicated to a key player in the events of 1867. The nearby Tosa Token Centre offers an opportunity to witness some of the region's famous fighting dogs in action. Back in town, Otesuji-dori is home to a bustling Sunday market that's worth visiting. Kochi's Yosokoi Matsuri, held August 9th through the 12th, offers a more low-key version of Tokushima's popular Awa Odori. :::::::::Kotohira Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see A town in Kagawa prefecture to the southwest of Takamatsu, Kotohira's importance centers around its celebrated, hilltop shrine Kompira-san. The ascent to the shrine counts some 1368 steps - a fact much touted by Japanese. From the main hall at the top of the climb, visitors can catch a view out over the Inland Sea (at least on a clear day). Apart from the shrine, Kotohira also boasts Japan's oldest Kabuki playhouse, Kanamaru-za, built in 1835. If one is visiting in April, there is a chance of seeing a performance. :::::::::Marugame Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The first city of significance beyond the Seto-Ohashi in Kagawa prefecture, Marugame is principally known for its fan production (some 90% of Japan's uchiwa, or fans, are produced here!). Other than the Uchiwa-no-Minato Museum dedicated to this tradition, the city has retained one Shikoku's four original castles - Marugame-jo. Marugame is within 30 minutes of Takamatsu by train or less than 45 minutes south of Okayama across the Inland Sea. ::::::::::Matsuyama Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Shikoku's largest city is also arguably its most interesting. Home to one of Japan's finest original castles, Matsuyama is also contiguous with the relaxed and historic spa town of Dogo. Much of Japan's haiku poetry originated in this city, a lot courtesy of the famous poet Masaoka Shiki. The magnificent Matsuyama-jo should be at the top of any visitor's itinerary. Originally dating from the early 17th century, it has been rebuilt and/or renovated some five times since it's foundation. The present form dates from 1854 (the reconstruction took some 34 years!) after having been struck by lightning and burnt down in 1784. Both a cable car and chairlift are available for quick access to its mountain-top location, but it is possible to hike up as well. The Shinto shrine of Shinonome-jinja sits on the east side of the castle's hill, which hosts torch-lit Noh performances during April's Takagi festival. The tranquil gardens of the Ninomaru Shiseki Teien are found on the site of the former Ninomaru (outer palace), along the western slope of the hill. A Japanese sweet and powdered green tea are available for ¥300 from the gardens' teahouse. In the eastern suburbs of Matsuyama is the resort area of Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's most famous hot springs. Although home to some notably seedy nightlife (as in most Japanese onsen areas), it offers a pleasant and historic area to soak up the thermal waters and enjoy oneself. The old bathhouse of Dogo Onsen Honkan is the most rustically picturesque in the area and well worth a visit. Matsuyama also offers easy access to Mt. Ishizuchi, Shikoku's largest mountain, which is within an hour's bus ride. :::::::::::Tokushima Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The first major city beyond the Akashi Kaikyo-Ohashi bridge, Tokushima is a small, but modern metropolis with a quaint air. The city is best known for its annual Awa-Odori festival (considered by some to be "Japan's Mardi Gras"), which is held during the yearly Obon period in mid-August. This is a three-day festival during which the city's population explodes and finding hotel rooms can be difficult. During the festival days, the city is quiet, but once dusk comes, thousands of people are out drinking, watching dancing groups call ren, and generally enjoying themselves. Some local people claim the festival began with the completion of Tokushima Castle, which was later dismantled. All the men doing that construction work meant there was a market for female company, which is why the females' distinctive hats cover their faces yet the ladies also repeatedly show their ankles and lower legs while dancing. The major geographic feature of the city is its mountain of Bizan, accessible by a ropeway located south of the Yoshino River. From its summit, you can get a nice panoramic view of the area. Tokushima Pagoda, a stupa built as a memorial to Japanese soldiers killed in Burma, is the main feature of the mountain-top park, although there is also a monument to a visit from the Meiji Emperor. There is also wide area of flowers and small gardens that can be very pleasant in warm seasons. For those unable to visit during the festival, the Awa Odori Kaikan, at the base of Mt. Bizan, offers numerous exhibits relating to its trademark dance. The former castle of Tokushima is now only ruins, having been destroyed in 1896. Despite its absence, there are some remnants along with a formal garden (Shenshuku-teien) in Tokushima-chuo-koen, northeast of the station. The park also features a museum dedicated to the castle, providing examples of how it once looked. Further away, 4km north of Tokushima station is Awa Jurobe Yashiki, which features displays and performances of local Bunraku puppetry performed by local women. Beyond Tokushima to the north are the famous Naruto Whirlpools, formed by the changing of tides. Though sometimes difficult to plan for accurately, they are viewable by tour boat or by walking across the Uzu-no-Michi walkway. If you have access to a car, a drive along the Naruto Skyline Drive is very scenic, with some high bridges providing superb views of various inlets and fishing villages. This road is popular with motorcyclists and, once the sun goes down, people into drifting, skid-sliding cars through twists and turns of the road.