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In the event you’re on the lookout for a singular journey expertise in Japan, then Shikoku needs to be excessive in your bucket record! Because the smallest of Japan’s principal islands, Shikoku is thought for its wild landscapes, historic temples, and charming historic cities. One of many area’s principal sights is the Shikoku Henro (四国遍路), a round pilgrimage of 88 temples related to the Buddhist monk and Shingon founder Kukai. Relaxation assured, you don’t must stroll the whole 1,200 km of the trail to take advantage of out of your journey within the area! The northern coast of Shikoku alone, which spans the 2 prefectures of Kagawa and Ehime, has a lot to supply each to the informal vacationer and the tireless trekker. Let’s see among the finest locations so as to add to your northern Shikoku itinerary!
Exploring Kagawa Prefecture
Though Kagawa (香川県) is Japan’s smallest prefecture, you shouldn’t cross up on this little gem of a area. Situated within the northeastern a part of Shikoku, Kagawa isn’t solely it’s blessed with beautiful pure sceneries, however additionally it is dwelling to a wealth of historic websites and cultural sights.
Ritsurin Backyard: A Enjoyable Go to to the Three Most Lovely Gardens of Japan
When touring in Japan, one factor is for certain: an awesome itinerary wouldn’t be full and not using a go to to certainly one of its magnificent gardens. Takamatsu, on the northern coast of Kagawa Prefecture, is dwelling to the Ritsurin Backyard (栗林公園), one of many largest and most lovely gardens in Japan. With a historical past relationship again to the sixteenth century, this backyard was awarded three stars within the Michelin Inexperienced Information Japan, and it’s acknowledged as an necessary cultural property.
Kagawa boasts a robust bonsai tradition, and this backyard bears witness to it: throughout your enjoyable stroll by way of the backyard’s greenery, you’ll be surrounded by over a thousand bonsai pine timber pruned to perfectionーa spectacle to behold in each season. Wander by way of the backyard’s many paths and uncover its ponds, streams, and landscaped hills, all set towards the inexperienced backdrop of Mt. Shiun. If you wish to see the backyard from a distinct perspective, we advocate a Wasen boat journey round Nanko Pond. Throughout the 30-minute journey, you’ll have the chance to study in regards to the historical past of the backyard from one of many backyard’s boat guides. In the event you’re feeling parched after your stroll, make a cease at Kikugetsutei, an Edo-era teahouse overlooking Nanko Pond.
Spring is a good season to go to, with about 320 cherry timber blooming all through the park, however autumn isn’t any much less spectacular with the Momiji maple timber turning all shades of yellow and purple.
| Admission charge: 410 yen for adults, 170 yen for youngsters |
| Hours: The backyard is at all times open from 7 am to five pm, however the hours range relying on the season. |
| Instructions: The backyard is a 3 minutes stroll from JR Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station and a ten minutes stroll from Kotoden Ritsurin Koen Station. |
Konpirasan: Go on a Brief Pilgrimage for a Style of the Pilgrim’s Life
Situated within the western a part of Kagawa Prefecture, Kotohira-gu Shrine (金刀比羅宮), also called Konpirasan, is likely one of the most necessary Shinto shrines in Japan. As is usually the case, the shrine complicated comprises components of each Shinto and Buddhism, the latter primarily within the type of statues and work that are actually stored within the shrine’s museum.
What units Konpirasan other than different shrines is the climb: in actual fact, you’ll must ascend a difficult 1,368 steps to succeed in the innermost shrine, which is situated at 521 meters, midway to the highest of Mt. Zozu. However don’t let that discourage you, as this uphill pilgrimage from Kotohira Station shouldn’t take way more than half an hour and comes with its fair proportion of sights.
A couple of quarter of the best way up, you’ll discover the majestic Omon Gate (大門), which marks the doorway to the shrine and opens up a path the place you’ll cross sweet outlets, statues, the Kami Tsubaki cafe the place you’ll be able to cease for a cup of tea or espresso, and so many different attention-grabbing sights that you just’ll be on the high earlier than you already know it.
The surroundings from up high makes all of it value it! The view of Kotohira City is beautiful, even on wet days. This little pilgrimage is an ideal alternative for vacationers to expertise a very particular aspect of Japan. If you wish to study extra in regards to the journey as much as the Konpirasan, make sure that to learn our detailed reportage on the Konpirasan Pilgrimage!
| Admission charge: Free |
| Hours: The shrine grounds are at all times open. Some buildings together with the artwork museum open from 8:30 am to five pm. |
| Instructions: From Tokyo, you’ll be able to take the in a single day Kotobus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal (about an 11-hour bus journey). From Takamatsu, take the JR Dosan Line to Kotohira (about 35 minutes by restricted categorical, and about 50 minutes by speedy prepare). |
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Exploring Ehime Prefecture
Ehime (愛媛県) is situated within the northwestern a part of Shikoku. The area is legendary for its beautiful shoreline, wealthy pure landscapes, and previous townscapes, all of that are dwelling to a plethora of sightseeing spots, making it an awesome unconventional vacation spot for all sorts of vacationers.
Uchiko: Go to Edo-era Townhouses and Service provider Homes of Ehime
Uchiko (内子町) is an enthralling small city in southwestern Ehime Prefecture. As soon as a thriving wax manufacturing heart, the city nonetheless retains its conventional Edo-era townhouses and service provider mansions within the Yokaichi-Gokoku district (八日市・護国町並保存センタ). As you stroll alongside the 600-meter-long road full of historic buildings, museums, outlets, and cafes, it’ll really feel such as you’re touring again in time; take pleasure in exploring at your personal tempo to get a way of how the town used to look again then.
One other must-see in Uchiko is the Uchiko-za Kabuki Theater (内子座). This magnificent construction, nonetheless totally operational, has been superbly preserved and nonetheless rivals the grandeur of the extra well-known Kabuki theaters in Tokyo and Osaka. Guests might discover the theater from the within and observe its distinctive structure, and a wide range of reveals are nonetheless held all year long.
| Instructions: Take the JR Yosan Line from Matsuyama Station to Uchiko Station (25 minutes by restricted categorical prepare and 55 minutes by native prepare). |
Ozu: A Picturesque Citadel City and Elegant Japanese Villa in Ehime
Ozu (大洲) is a small fortress city in western Ehime Prefecture. The city’s principal attraction, it goes with out saying, is Ozu Citadel (大洲城), which stands on a hill overlooking the Hijikawa River and dates again to the 14th century. Over the ages, it has been destroyed and rebuilt, and to this present day solely 4 of the unique 18 watchtowers stay. Immediately, you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the fortress and its exhibition on the complicated’s historical past and renovation. On high of that, from the fortress’s high stage, you’ll get an exquisite view of the town, the river, and the encompassing mountains.
One other spotlight of Ozu is Garyu Sanso (臥龍山荘), a standard Japanese-style villa perched on a cliff overlooking the Hijikawa River. A sublime instance of Japanese structure, the constructing is gorgeous in and out: after a go to to the inside, the place you’ll have an opportunity to understand the ingenious workmanship that went into its areas. We advocate heading out to the backyard to soak up the view of the timber and mountains within the distance. The backyard additionally homes a tea home the place you’ll be able to take a well-deserved break whereas sipping on some scrumptious infusions.
On the best way from the villa to downtown, you’ll cross some extra conventional buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, letting you get a style of genuine Japan.
| Instructions: Take the JR Yosan Line from Matsuyama Station to Iyo-Ozu Station (about 40 minutes by restricted categorical prepare and 90-110 minutes by native prepare). |
How you can Get to Northern Shikoku
Northern Shikoku gives easy accessibility to main cities by air, rail, and highway. The area has a number of home airports, with Matsuyama Airport serving Ehime Prefecture and Takamatsu Airport serving Kagawa Prefecture.
It’s additionally nicely linked to the principle island of Honshu by JR trains: you’ll be able to even use your JR cross to take the Shinkansen bullet prepare to Okayama Station, then switch to one of many many trains to Shikoku. If you wish to get off the crushed monitor and go to smaller cities, be part of the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage, or hike in distant areas, renting a automobile is by far probably the most handy choice.
Northern Shikoku is a superb various for folks looking for to expertise nature’s serene magnificence whereas additionally getting a style of genuine Japan. As a result of this area isn’t on many individuals’s bucket lists but (and wrongfully so), Ehime and Kagawa prefectures are certain to supply the peaceable retreat that may make your journey to Japan much more particular. So, we hope you tackle the 1,200km Shikoku Henro or go metropolis hopping to see the discover the very best of every city’s sights!
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