Travelmomo
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Kate Wu

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In Japan

Off-the-beaten-track in Tokushima

Iya-Obuke Region 祖谷-大步危

Locating between Honshu (the main island of Japan) and Kyushu, Shikoku is an island famous for udon, the whirlpool and the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage route. Recently, with more direct flights to Shikoku, it has become a more popular travel destination. Shikoku is filled with wonderful nature The beautiful Seto Inlsand Sea, art islands, nice beaches, spectacular mountains, and clean river. One of the off-the-beaten tracks is the amazing mountainous valley called Iya-Obuke in Tokushima. History Legend has it that a defeated Heike Clan retreated there during a civil war in the 12th Century. The deep valley and mountainous deep forest area made it a great hide-away. The ancient vine bridges have become iconic tourist attraction of the area. Scenic Spots in Iya-Obuke There are several scenic spots around the mountain area, including a Michelin 2-Star Green scenic spot U-shape gorge, the peeing boy statue, vine bridges, the scarecrows village and the 400-year-old Ochiai Village built on a hillside. Depending on your schedule, a day trip will not be able to cover the entire area, particular if you also want to…

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In China

Shenzhen Safari Park

Set up in 1993, Shenzhen Safari Park was a national run zoo until end of 2007. It is now a subsidiary of Shenzhen Travel Holdings Limited. Over the past 10 years, the zoo had undergone lots of changes and improvements, adding aquariums and kangaroo gardens. The park is really spacious even if you don’t know how big 600,000 square meter is. There are lots of animals and the living conditions for each types of animal are good. Most of them look healthy which is a good indication. Tigers, lions, leopards, bears, wolfs, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, deer, yak, oryx, hippos, rhinoceros, giant pandas, penguins, flamingo, pelicans and more. There are several feeding and riding experience at extra costs. Shenzhen Safari Park was the first zoo in China with uncaged animals. The walking observation path of lions, tigers and bears was great but it wasn’t feature in the video (I already ran out off camera battery by the time I got there). Next time. With the availability of High Speed Railway connecting Hong Kong and China, the Shenzhen Safari Park is conveniently…

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In Japan

The Best Sunset Spots in Shikoku

Sunset in Shikoku 四國人氣日落

The two most popular destinations for sunset are Shimonada Station in Ehime Prefecture and Chichibugahama in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku Japan. Well, the reason is obvious: beautiful and unique. 1. Chichibugahama 父母之濱 in Kagawa Prefecture Stretching 1km long along the coast in Mitoyo City, west of Kagawa Prefecture, Chichibugahama Beach is renown for the amazing mirror images similar to the salt flat Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, attracting many locals and tourists to just come for some breath-taking shots without having to fly across the planet. Thanks to the “parents”, the local communities to initiate cleaning up the beach since 1995 so that we can now all enjoy a clean beach and take great photos. However, the mirror images are only possible under certain condition: nice clear day and low tide. Not the low tide of the day, but the low tide of the month. Please check out the tidal schedule before you head over. Transportation: In addition to driving, you may take a bus/taxi from JR Takuma Station. Buses only run from Monday to Saturday and it is not very…

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In Japan

Trending: Shikoku Travel Guide

Shikoku Travel Guide Book 四國旅遊指南

With increased direct flight from Hong Kong (one more between Hong Kong and Tokushima from now till March 2019), Shikoku Japan has become more popular among the experienced independent travellers who love to explore new places. Where is Shikoku? It’s the smallest island (other than Okinawa) of the four main islands in Japan, locating between Honshu (the main island) and Kyushu. There are 4 prefectures on the island, namely Kagawa, Tokushima, Kochi and Ehima. Accessing Shikoku As the smallest island in Japan, Shikoku is relatively less travelled by tourist. For hundreds of years, boat is the only way to get to the island until 3 bridges connecting Honshu were built in the 80s. So there than flying directly to Takamatsu in Kagawa, Tokushima and Matsuyama in Ehime (from Taiwan only), you may also fly to the neighboring cities (Kansai, Okayama or Hiroshima airports) then take a bus or train to Shikoku. It is not as inaccessible as you think. Travelling Around Shikoku Travelling around Shikoku has been a major challenge for many travellers who do not drive. That’s also why…

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In Hong Kong

Introducing MOMO Baby

Jayden is a 3-year-old boy who loves music. While many babies/young children reacts to music and tend to dance along, Jayden is different. He only likes instruments, in particular drumming. His favorite thing to do is to go to Disney Hong Kong to watch band shows, drumming, and the magic moment which is also short live band performance at the entrance or along the American main street. He has taught himself to toss and catch the drumsticks and now master the skills. This video is a snapshot of his usual toss and catch of a drawing pen in a coffee shop for kids. At home, he is able to toss a drumstick (or a make-shift one) up to the ceiling and catch it with one hand.

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In Japan

Ryozenji Temple in Tokushima Japan

Ryozenji Temple 靈山寺

The 88 temple pilgrimage around Shikoku Japan has been a popular routes for Shingon Buddhism pilgrims for hundreds to over a thousand years, and recently a travel theme for Shikoku Japan. The history began in the early 8th century (804) when a Buddhist monk named Kūkai (空海) travelled to China (now Xian) to acquire teachings of Escoteric Bhuddhism from Huiguo, one of two Buddhist masters who was a favorite student of the legendary Amoghavajra from India. Kūkai (空海) returned to Japan and started to practice Escoteric Buddhism. He was favored by Emperor Junna, the 53rd Emperor Japan, at the time and the term Shingon-Shū (真言宗 Mantra School) was officially coined. In 816, Kūkai established his first monastery, Kongobu-ji in Mount Kōya (高野山), which is part of the UNESCO Pilgrimage Route in Japan. In 823, To-ji in Kyoto was presented to Kukai and was declared an Esoteric temple that would perform official rites for the state. Shingon Buddhism (真言宗) became very popular for the next several hundred years. Kūkai or Kōbō-Daishi (弘法大師) was born in Kagawa prefecture Japan. When he was young, he travelled around Shikoku, practicing in caves, mountains and forests.…

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In Japan

The Naruto Whirlpools

The Naruto Whirlpools 鳴門の渦潮

Locating in the northeast of Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Japan, Naruto was one of prosperous cities close to Kobe and Osaka since the ancient time before the bridges across the Seto Inland Sea were built in the 80s. It is famous for the whirlpools formed in the Naruto strait, red seabreams, sweet potatoes, and as an entry point to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage route.

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In Japan

Flower hot spring, open-air private onsen, foot bath & more.

After hiking up several hundred to 1,368 steps one way to Konpirasan, you would want a nice break. Onsen (hot spring), foot bath, massage, good dinner would be nice. At the bottom of the Konpirasan, there are a few options. One of the more popular and established onsen hotel is Koubaitai. In addition to a variety of hotel rooms from including regular Japanese tatami rooms to luxury suites and those which a private onsen in the room, the hotel offers several choices of hot spring. The basement floor features large public bath for men and women. There are both indoor and open-air hot tubs. For the ladies, there is a flower bath, a fruit bath and a sauna room, taking hot spring to a new level. If you want more privacy with your loved one, private onsen is available for rent.

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In Japan

Koubaitei Onsen Hotel in Kotohira

Koubaitei 紅梅亭

Visiting the famous Konpirasan (also known as Kotohira-gu, Konpira shrine in English) in Kagawa prefecture, Japan, you may want a good rest, food massage and an onsen after the long hike of at least 780 steps round trip to the main shrine. There are in fact a few good options in the neighborhood. Koubaitei is one of the more established hotel just down the hill and 10 minutes walk to the JR Kotohira Station.

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In Japan

Konpirasan Pilgrimage

Kompirasan shrine 金刀比羅宮

Locating in the middle of Mount Zozu, Konpirasan Shrine (formerly known as Kotohira-gu Shrine) has been a well know and popular shrine for protection of shipping and fishing businesses since the ancient time (1336-1573) and is still considered one of the shrines that Japanese would visit at least once in a lifetime. Its importance is only second to Ise Shrine. Konpriasan at Kagawa is the head shrine of all Konpira shrines in Japan. The shrine is one of the toughest to reach (1,368 steps) yet it doesn’t deter the pilgrims. The shrine is a large complex on the mountain slope, featuring many historic buildings, ancient hexagonal lamps and Important Cultural Assets. Souvenir shops and tea houses line up from the bottom to over 300 steps to keep you busy looking and stopping as you go up. It is not as tough as you think (well, to the main shrine).

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