Moopon

"The Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道, Shimanami Kaidō) is a 60 kilometer long toll road. It connects Japan's main island of Honshu(Hiroshima) to the island of Shikoku(Ehime), passing over six small islands on the Seto Inland Sea. There are two other land connections between Shikoku and Honshu, but the Shimanami Kaido is the only one traversable by foot or bicycle.

The Shimanami Kaido begins on Honshu in Onomichi City. It then leads across the six islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima, before terminating on Shikoku in Imabari City. The route was opened in 1999, so the bridges are modern and attractive. Along the way, travelers can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the islands' small towns and the Seto Inland Sea.

Cycling is a very popular means of experiencing the Shimanami Kaido. The bicycle route is well marked and maintained, and diverges from the expressway on the islands. The ramps leading up to the bridges were built at little inclines with cyclists in mind. At about 70 kilometers, the bike route is a bit longer than the toll road. Since there are no large inclines, it can be comfortably completed in a day by intermediate cyclists.
 

With waves rolling along the beautiful white sand, Kikugahama Beach in Hagi Town of Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is a popular place for locals and visitors. From barbecuing to breathtaking sunsets, in the summertime, visitors can view local fireworks from the beaches of Kikugahama.

Kikugahama Beach is located at the foot of the Hagi Castle Ruins. Also nearby is Mount Shizuki, a local mountain with a height of 143 meters.

Access Information:
From Higashi-Hagi Station (about 2 km)
**on foot: about 30 minutes
**by bicycle: about 10 minutes
**Also can be accessed via “Maru Bus”

At its peak, Iwami Ginzan was one of the top producing silver mines in the world. Its yearly output of 38 tons of silver made up approximately a third of the world's production.



Silver from the mine, known as "Soma Silver," was of very high quality, and control of the mine was fiercely contested by local clans until it was acquired by the Tokugawa Shogunate in the early 1600s. Since then it was directly controlled by the Tokugawa government, and several castles, guard stations, and fences were erected to maintain control of the region.



Today the majority of the buildings in the mining area are in ruins but a few attractions remain. The main one is the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft, a 273 meter long tunnel and the only shaft of over 600 that is open to the public. Also in the area are the Shimizudani Refinery Ruins and various temples and shrines.



Near the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft are two trails that lead to castle ruins and nearby port towns. The trail leading to Yunotsu and Okidomari is approximately 12 kilometers long, and the trail to Tomogaura is approximately 7 kilometers.

The mining area isn’t accessible by bus, but can only be reached on foot. The two kilometer walk from the closest bus stop, Omori bus stop, to the Ryugenji Mabu Mine Shaft takes about 30-45 minutes one way along an easy and pleasant walking trail.

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from late November to late March)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 410 yen

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (海の中道海浜公園, Uminonakamichi Kaihin Kōen), is a sprawling,
family oriented public park located on a narrow peninsula across the bay from central Fukuoka.
The park is made up of several different areas including flower gardens, playgrounds,
an amusement park with ferris wheel, sports fields, a water park, a zoo and large open spaces and lawns perfect for picnicking. 

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park measures nearly four kilometers from end to end, and many visitors will find it too expansive to cover on foot.
To make the park more easily explorable, there is a network of cycling trails, and bicycles can be rented at the entrance gates for 400 yen per three hours or 700 yen per day.
Alternatively, there is a train (on tires) that circles the park and costs 300 yen per ride or 500 yen for a 1-day pass. 

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is also a popular place for flower viewing, with millions of flowers planted around
the different areas of the park including narcissus, tulips, nemophila, roses, hydrangeas, sunflowers and cosmos among others.
The flowers are in bloom at different times of the year, but the general blooming season starts in mid March and lasts through early autumn. 

Visitors visiting Kochi City, located in Shikoku, are recommended to visit Katsurahama Beach.
Though swimming is prohibited here due to the strong current, there are cultural and historic points of interest located here.

A peacemaker between the Choshu and Satsuma clan and a key figure in ending Japan’s feudal period, Sakamoto Ryoma is Kochi’s favorite son.
Visitors can find the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum here at Katsurahama Beach, with displays of his life and his involvement in shaping modern Japan.

Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 500 yen (excluding special exhibitions)

The Tosa Dog Fighting Center is located here as well. A unique facility, the dogs here are dressed up to fight in a fighting ring.
Though the “matches” are not every day, visitors may wish to visit the museum located within the facility to learn more about this Koichi practice.

Tosa Dog Fighting Center
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 500 yen (museum), 1500 yen (fights)

In addition to the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum and Tosa Dog Fighting Center, visitors can visit a small aquarium on the beach and a shrine.
The restaurants nearby serve Kochi’s local delicacy, katsuo no tataki (bonito).

Access Information:
Via Kochiken Kotsu Bus:
**From Kochi Station, board the Kochiken Kotsu bus.
The one-way journey to Katsurahama should take about 35 minutes with a cost of 690 yen.
Via My Yu Bus
**My Yu Bus’s route is Kochi Station⇔Mount Godaisan⇔Katsurahama.
The one way journey from Kochi Station should take about 70 minutes.
The one day pass (valid only on the day of purchase) is 1000 yen.


 

Miyako Island (Miyakojima), located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island,
is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for diving and snorkeling in the coral reefs.
The subtropical climate provides mild weather all year around.

The Beaches of Miyako Island
There are picturesque sand beaches for swimming and relaxing.
While the beaches are open year round.
Best enjoyable months are from April to November when the air temperature consistently tops 25 degrees and the water is very warm.

Sunayama Beach 
With its beautiful white sand, clear blue waters and rock formations, Sunayama Beach is one of Miyako's most beautiful beaches.
It is reached in a short walk over a sand hill from the parking lot.
Its facilities include showers and toilets.

Access Information:
Miyako Island is a relatively small island, measuring about 25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west.
A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako.