Moopon

Japan’s southern islands, Okinawa, is a favorite vacation spot for both Japanese and non-Japanese visitors.
 With its beautiful beaches, abundant natural beauty, an array of water sports and wildlife observation,
there are many things to be experienced here.
Among the Okinawa islands, Iriomote Island (西表島), Okinawa's second largest island is quite popular.
With nearly 90% of the island consisting of jungle and mangrove forest, visitors will have a chance to see natural beauty at its rawest stage.
 Visitors who are exceptionally lucky may be able to witness the Iriomote Yamaneko, an endangered species, which are only found on this island.
It is thought only about 100 of this nocturnal “wildcat” are still in existence. 

Iriomote has many beautiful beaches with the appropriate beach related water sports such as swimming,
snorkeling and diving.
Among these fabulous beaches, Hoshizuna no Hama is exceptionally special.
The name Hoshizuna consists of hoshi meaning star and zuna meaning sand.
 This beach has grains of sand shaped like tiny stars. In reality, the “star sand” grains are skeletons of small one-celled organisms that reside within the ocean’s plants.

Hoshizuna no Hama Beach is great for swimming and snorkeling.
With the water being shallow during low tide, it is easy to see the tropical fish swimming in and out of the coral.
 There are no public facilities at the beach other than a free parking lot.  Admission is also free.

Japan’s southernmost vacation paradise of Okinawa offers its visitors an array of different activities to make the most of the “Okinawa experience”.
One of the more touristy but fun experiences visitors can partake in is the Yubujima Suigyu Cart Ride.

Yubujima is a small island near Iriomote Island. A popular way to enter Yubujima is via water buffalo carts.
The cart rides are quite fun with the drivers explaining the island’s history and sharing interesting local gossip.
Some drivers will play the sanshin (Okinawa’s stringed instrument) to entertain the occupants of their carts.

Yubujima Suigyu Cart Ride 
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: No closing days 
Fee:  adults (over 12 years old) 1400 yen includes entry to the island’s subtropical garden
     children (over 6 years old) 700 yen includes entry to the island’s subtropical garden
     children under 6 are free

Yubujima is a small subtropical garden island.  Within the garden, visitors can view many tropical flowers such as 30
varieties of the hibiscus in addition to fruit trees such as guava and papaya.
 Of course these plants and more can be viewed throughout the year!

Within Japan’s tropical paradise of Okinawa, visitors can enjoy water sports,
nature and wildlife that can only be observed here.
Within the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa is the 90% jungle/mangrove island of Iriomote.
And here, visitors may be able to see the endangered species of the Iriomote Yamaneko,
a type of “wild cat” which resides only on this island.

It is thought only 100 Yamaneko remain on the island. As such,
the Yamaneko Museum or Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center is both a wildlife/eco museum as well as a refugee center for Iriomote
Yamaneko that have been rescued after being injured in a traffic accident. 

Visitors to the museum are able to learn about the ecology of the animals found on the island,including the Iriomote Yamaneko.
Explanations are provided in English throughout the museum.
As far as the rescued Iriomote Yamaneko, they can only be viewed via a live video feed.

Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Okinawa served an important role in Okinawa’s history.
Though presently a district of Naha, Shuri was the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom.  
Until Okinawa became a Japanese Prefecture in 1879, Shuri Castle was both the administrative center
as well as residence for the Ryukyu kings for several centuries.

The castle was originally constructed in the late 1300s.  
Destroyed many times through war and fires, the current buildings are a result of the reconstruction efforts from 1992.
To approach the castle, located on the top of hill, visitors need to pass through many gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate.

The castle’s main hall, the Seiden was the former venue for many governmental events. A landmark of Okinawa, the Seiden’s flamboyant decoration,
architecture and vermillion color shows the difference in castle style between Okinawa and mainland Japan. 

Visitors will find the Una Plaza in front of the Seiden.
Here many ceremonies were held. The Una Plaza is enclosed by the Hokuden (North Hall), Nanden (South Hall) and the Hoshinmon (Hoshin Gate).
The Hokuden and Nanden were administrative buildings which were also used as venues to welcome visitors from China and mainland Japan.

Visitors are welcomed to view the interior of these historic halls.
 The interiors of the Hokuden and Nanden are like modern museums with informative displays about Ryukyu Kingdom as well as
the Okinawa’s history with the Japanese mainland and China. Visitors can also view local historic artifact as well as cultural replicas received during foreign trade.

The Seiden has been reconstructed in its original style.
The richness and fine furnishing the Ryukyu kings were accustomed to are displayed in the Seiden.
Visitors can even view a replica of the king's throne and crown are among the exhibits.

Facility Information:
Hours: 8:30 to 19:00 (until 18:00 from December to March, until 20:00 from July to September) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: First Wednesday and Thursday of July
Admission: 820 yen
Level of English: Good

Shikinaen, located in Okinawa, was the second residence of the Ryukyu kings.
It was constructed in the 18th century.
The building were relatively simple, wooden palace buildings incorporating the Chinese red tile roofs
with a spacious Japanese garden and its a central pond.
The garden is meant to be viewed as visitors stroll around.
With both the Chinese and Japanese influence, visitors can appreciate Shikinaen’s truly unique Okinawa style.

Shikinaen was completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa of 1945.
However, a 20 year restoration plan began in 1975.
 In 2000, it was among the sited registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title Gusuku Sites
and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

From the forest, visitors walk along a stone-paved road, made from Ryukyu limestones to the main entrance.
From here, visitors will stroll along a 300 meter circular path to view the garden.
There are many interesting parts of the garden, not limited to…
**Ikutokusen—the spring filled with clear water.
 It is designated as a national monument as it is the birthplace of the red alga
**Stone Bridge: There are two stone bridges which connect to the palace as well a small islet in the middle of the water.
**Udun Palace:  built in the 17th century, before the garden and pond, this spacious palace has 15 rooms
**Rokkaku-do: a Chinese-style hexagonal pavilion located on a nearby island

Facility Information:
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:30 from October to March) 
**Last Entry is 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Wednesdays (or following day if Wednesday is a national holiday or falls on June 23) 
Admission: 400 yen

Kompirasan, officially known as Kotohiragu, is the main shrine of multiple Kompira shrines found around Japan that are dedicated to sailors and seafaring. It is located on the wooded slope of Mount Zozu in Kotohira and the approach to Kompirasan is a laborious series of 1,368 stone steps.

Over many centuries, Kompirasan had been revered as a mixture between Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine, until it was officially declared a shrine in the beginning of the Meiji Period during government efforts to separate the two religions. Nevertheless, the previous symbiosis is still visible in Kompirasan's architecture which displays both Shinto and Buddhist elements.                                                              

Kompirasan is a highly popular site visited by pilgrims from across the country despite being one of the most difficult shrine approaches in Japan. The approach begins amongst a touristy shopping arcade filled with souvenir shops and Sanuki Udon restaurants, from where it is a 785- step climb (about 45 minutes) past a number of auxiliary shrine buildings and museums to the main hall of the shrine.

Next to the main hall is a viewpoint overlooking Kotohira Town, and the Ema Hall which exhibits plates and pictures of ships, battleships and even space rockets whose crews sought the protection of the shrine. A real mini submarine is also displayed.
For the tourists have enough energy it is an additional 583 steps (an additional 45 minutes) along a paved, forested path to the inner shrine (Okusha) of the complex.
Most visitors only make it up to the main hall; however, Those unable (or unwilling) to make the climb, can hire a palanquin (5300 yen one way or 6500 yen round trip) up to the main hall or take a bus (see details below).  

Access info
The start of the long approach to Kompirasan is a 10 to 15 minute walk from JR Kotohira and Kotoden Kotohira Stations.

The Kankakei Gorge located at the center of Shodoshima Island, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku, is one Japan's three most beautiful gorges. It is said the gorge was formed over a time period of over 2 million years. The rocks in the gorge have been shaped by the wind and rain. A must-visit site for hikers and naturists, the gorge attracts many visitors, especially in autumn with its array of fall colors.  

Visitors visiting Kankakei Gorge can approach the peak via ropeway, car or on foot.  The ropeway provides beautiful views of the gorge as the cable car ascends to the top. From the observation located near the upper ropeway station, visitors are greeted with views of the gorge, Seto Inland Sea, and Shodoshima Island, itself.
Kankakei Ropeway
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (during the fall foliage season, the first ropeway ride begins at 8:00; in the winter, the last ride is at 16:30) 
Departures every 12 minutes
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 750 yen (one way), 1350 yen (round trip) 
A 10 percent discount coupon is available online

There is a road connecting the ropeway stations. With both stations having parking lots, approaching the peak via car is an easy option.  And for more energetic visitors, there are two easy but steep trails leading to the top.

The western trail is about 2 kilometers in length.  The uphill climb takes about an hour and it is 30 to 45 minutes descending. The eastern trail is about 3 kilometers long.  Both trails are through the forest.

Access Information:
Via bus
From Kusakabe Port, there are 4 buses daily to the lower ropeway station. 
The buses operate daily during the spring holidays, Golden Week, summer holidays and foliage season.
The buses operate on the weekends, national holidays from mid March to early December.  
There are no buses during the winter.
The cost is 360 yen (one way) and the journey takes about 15 minutes. 

Via car 
From Kusakabe Port to the lower ropeway station, it is a 15 minute drive.
From Tonsho Port to the upper ropeway station, it is a40 minute drive.
From Obe Port to the upper ropeway station, it is a 20 minute drive.
From Fukuda Port to the upper ropeway station, it is a 30 minute drive.

Located off the coast of Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku is the small fisherman island Ibukijima Island (伊吹島).
Visitors may be surprised to learn that this island, only 1 square kilometer in size is the nation’s largest producers for sardines and anchovies.
Visitors interested in the capture and processing of these tiny sea creatures should visit the island from June to August. 

Ibukijima’s roadways are the old-fashioned maze of narrow alleys which makes wandering around this island on foot the best means to explore.
Visitors will find temples and shrines, including the Ibuki Hachimangu Shrine on the island. There are stores and restaurants on the island as well.
 

However, Ibukijima is suffering from depopulation.
Though the island has the top position in sardine/anchovy production, each year the number of residents is declining.
Schools are being closed, due to lack of students and there are several vacant houses on this beautiful island. 

Ibukijima is one of the venues for Setochi Triennale, a modern art festival with multiple exhibit locations among the islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
Ibukijima and the other islands hope to rebrand themselves as contemporary art friendly islands to increase economic and population growth.
One of the pieces from the 2013 show, the House of Toilet, has a permanent home on the island for visitors to appreciate.
 

Access Information
1.  To Kanonji Train Station (nearest train station to Ibukijima)
**From Marugame Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji.
　　The one way journey will take 20-45 minutes with a cost of 550 to 1820 yen.
**From Takamatsu Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji.
　　The one way journey will take 50-75 minutes with a cost of 1090 to 2790 yen.
**From Okayama Station, board a local or limited express JR Train to Kanonji.
　　The one way journey will take 60-110 minutes with a cost of 1530 to 3230 yen.

2.  From Kanonji Train Station to Kanonji Port
**Via Bus: Board the local bus to the port.
　　The one-way journey is 10 minutes with a cost of 100 yen.
　　 There is 1 bus every 2 hours.
**Via Taxi: The taxi should take about 10 minutes with a cost of about 800 yen.
**On Foot: about 20minute walk from the station to the port

3. From Kanonji Port to Ibukijima
**Board the ferry to Ibukijima.  
　The one-way journey is 25 minutes with a cost of 510 yen.
　There are 4 ferries per day.  


 

Kochi City(高知), the capital of Kochi Prefecture, located in Shikoku has both the convenience of city lifewith tram transportation available in the downtown area as well
as an abundance of nature where the simple pleasures in life can still be experienced. 

There are numerous places to visit in Kochi.  
One of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Chikurenji Temple is located on Mount Godaisan.
The Kochi Castle, one of the 12 original Japanese castles, is located in the downtown area.
An original castle is a castle which remained intact after the feudal period.
One of the key figures of the Meiji Restoration, Sakamoto Ryoma is from Kochi.
The Sakamoto Ryoma Museum is located at Katsurahama Beach.

In addition to just looking, visitors may wish to partake in the local seafood which is fresh and delicious.
The local delicacy, slightly broiled bonito is particularly popular among the locals and visitors.
The Hirame Market is large food court type building where inexpensive but fresh seafood can be purchased and consumed.
In addition to eating, the city holds the Yosakai Festival in the summer, which is fun for all!


 

Seafood lovers must visit Koichi, the southernmost prefecture of Shikoku, and try their specialty katsuo no tataki (鰹のタタキ).  
Katsuo is the fish bonito with katsuo no tataki to mean the bonito out layer has been lightly broiled.
 Traditionally, this is done over a straw fire.
Katsuo no tataki is served with finely chopped green onions, ginger and garlic.
 Visitors can dip the piece of fish into salt or soy sauce with vinegar before consuming.

There is no “katsuo no tataki” specialty store.
However, visitors can visit any seafood restaurant or izakaya in Kochi to try this fresh, super delicious seafood. 

Bonito flakes are used for seasoning in many foods.
It is also used for the stock in miso soup.
Kochi’s katsuo-bushi (bonito flakes) are among the best in Japan.
Visitors will find many store in Kochi selling katsuo (bonito) related souvenirs.


 

Naruto, part of Tokushima Prefecture, is the northeastern most city on Shikoku Island.
The city is known for its swirling whirlpools.
You can see them in the Strait of Naruto underneath the Onaruto Bridge which connects Tokushima to Awaji Island. 
Naruto is also the starting point of the Shikoku Pilgrimage or Henro, which is a religious pilgrimage where one goes around visiting the 88 holy temples on Shikoku.

Ryozenji Temple (Ryōzenji) is the first temple along the Shikoku Pilgrimage, that are associated with Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
The pilgrimage, which takes about two months by walk, completely circumnavigates Shikoku, traversing all four prefectures on the Shikoku.

Many pilgrims begin and end their journey outside of Shikoku with a visit to Koyasan.
It is home to an active monastic center founded twelve centuries ago by the priest Kukai for the study and practice of Esoteric Buddhism and also the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism
Among the pilgrimage's 88 temples, Ryozenji sits closest to Koyasan, and therefore serves as the start and end point on Shikoku.
Pilgrim costumes like white robes, woven hats, walking sticks and other supplies that pilgrims may require are sold.

Hours: 7:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Free

Access Infomation
Via train
From Naruto Station, board the JR train for Ikenotani Station and transfer to another train to Bando Station.
The entire one way trip takes between 30 and 45 minutes with a cost of 260 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass).
There is about one connection per hour.
From Bando Station, a ten minute walk will brings you to the temple.

Naruto, part of Tokushima Prefecture, is the northeastern most city on Shikoku Island. The city is known for its swirling whirlpools.
You can see them in the Strait of Naruto underneath the Onaruto Bridge which connects Tokushima to Awaji Island. 
Naruto is also the starting point of the Shikoku Pilgrimage or Henro,
which is a religious pilgrimage where one goes around visiting the 88 holy temples on Shikoku.

Naruto German House
During World War I, Japan participated on the side of the Entente Powers or Allies, seizing some of Germany's Asian and Pacific colonial territories,
as well as prisoners of war.
Around one thousand German soldiers were held at Bando Camp outside central Naruto.
They were allowed to live considerably freely while working within and developing friendships with the local Japanese community there.
After the war ended, they continued the friendships, eventually resulting in a sister city relationship between Naruto and the German city of Lueneburg.
The German House (Doitsukan) was built as a gesture of goodwill, and houses an excellent museum on the lives of the Bando Camp prisoners.
A variety of photographs and models are on display with explanations in Japanese, German and English.

A ten minute walk south of the German House lies the German Village Park (Doitsu Mura Kōen), a small,
somewhat calm park with a memorial that lists the names of the German prisoners died during their imprisonment.

German House
Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Closed: Fourth Monday of every month (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday)
December 28th to 31st.
Admission: 400 yen

Access Information
Via train
From Naruto Station, bord theJR train for Ikenotani Station and transfer to another train for Bando Station.
The one-way journey takes about 40 minutes with a cost of 260 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
There is about one connection per hour.
From Bando Station, it is about 1.5 kilometers to Doitsu Mura Koen (about 20 minutes by walk) and an additional ten minute walk to the German House.                

Via local bus
Buses between Naruto Station and Itano Station (Oasa Line) stop at Doitsu Mura Koen along the way.
Some of the buses also stop at the German House, which is placed a ten minute walk north of Doitsu Mura Koen.
Othe one- way journey takes about 30 with a cost of 350 yen. Buses operate only once every two hours.

Via highway bus

Within downtown Kochi in Shikoku lies Mount Godaisan, famous for its beautiful views of the city.
A group of visiting Chinese priests named Mount Godaisan after a mountain in China.

And on Mount Godaisan lies Chikurinji Temple, number 31 on the Shikoku Pilgrim Map.
Visitors interested in cultural as well as scholastic Buddhist training should visit Chikurinji Temple.
This temple was founded by the same group of visiting Chinese priests who named the mountain. 

Within the temple grounds, visitors will come across various beautiful halls and structures.  
The 5-story pagoda on the temple grounds is breathtaking.
 In addition, for a small fee, visitors can enter the treasure hall as well as the hondo (main hall).
Within the treasure hall, Buddhist statues as well of precious Buddhist scrolls are displayed.  
From the hondo, visitors can view the temple’s well maintained garden.

Chikurinji Temple
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: Free (grounds), 400 yen (treasure hall and hondo)

Visitors may wish to visit the Makino Botanical Garden near Chikurinji.
Named after Dr Makino Tomitaro, visitors can enjoy the outdoors park, greenhouse, and walkways, this garden holds.  
There are several museum halls on the property where visitors can learn about Dr Makino and his research.

Makino Botanical Garden
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: December 27th to January 1st 
Admission: 720 yen

Access Information:
Via Bus:
From the JR Kochi Station, board the My Yu Bus.  
The one-way journey takes about 25 minutes.  
The following day pass options are available:
*600 yen for unlimited journeys between Kochi Station and Godaisan 
*1000 yen for unlimited journeys between Kochi Station, Godaisan and Katsurahama Beach.
NOTE: Day passes are only valid for the day they have been purchased.
Via Taxi:
From the JR Kochi Station to the summit of Godaisan, the one-way journey will take about 20 minutes with a cost of 1500 yen.