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Shikoku

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Free Bike Rental in Kochi City

Cycling has become a popular way to pace yourself to travel around Japan, particularly in some suburb regions. Locating south of shikoku Japan, Kochi is the largest and considered the most remote prefecture in Shikoku region. It is well known for the mountains, rivers and the Pacific coastline. Cycling is one of the best way to explore the city and some suburban areas. 1) Shimanto River（四萬十） Stretching 196 km south of Kochi, the Shimanto River is the longest river in Shikoku region, and is considered the most crystal clear stream in Japan Surrounded by the serene and beautiful nature. The most intriguing feature of this river is the 22 chinkabashi (ubmersible bridges) designed without guardrail, allowing debris to flow through when the water level is high during rainy season. This fascinating feature is a major attraction to travellers. For the experienced cyclists, you may cycle from Ekawasaki Station (江川崎駅) to JR Nakamura Station （中村駅）or vice versa. If it is a day trip, please make sure you return your bike before the rental shop closes. For a easy ride half day…

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In Japan

Claude Monet’s Garden in Shikoku

Claude Monet's Garden 莫內庭園

If you like flowers and garden, the choices are abundant in Japan. In Shikoku, what you see the most would be the famous impressionist artist Claude Monet’s water lily ponds, large and small. Monet’s Garden Marmottan in Kitagawa Village The most impressive one is the Monet’s Garden Marmottan in Kitagawa Village in Kochi. It was a licensed replica of the Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France. The 30,000 square meters garden consists of three main themed gardens inspired by Monet’s paintings: Flower Garden, Water Garden and Light Garden. The Water Garden is the signature garden of all, featuring a Japanese taiko bridge arched over a pond which looks exactly like the one in France. There are wisteria, willow trees, bamboo and a selection of water lilies. You may see the iconic blue water lilies between July and October every year! It is a great place to spend half a day strolling around in the tranquil environment and enjoy a light meal in the French style cafe. Otsuka Museum of Art The second place where you can see a Claude Monet’s…

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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 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

Sanuki Udon Class

Nakano Udon School 中野烏冬學校

Sanuki udon is a popular type of udon originally from Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku Japan. Sanuki is an old name of Kagawa Prefecture. The udon is characterized by its thick, square shape and more tender texture. There are several ways of eating udon. The basic is to choose the temperature: cold or hot in soup. Then there are a lot of choices of toppings and side dishes: eggs, ginger, spring union, dipping sauce, beef, tempura, etc. There are around 700 udon shops in Kagawa prefecture. Many are family run small shops that only open for a few hours a day until lunch time and/or close on certain days. So if you want to have udon in Kagawa, lunch hour is probably the best. Besides, not all restaurants are served at the table. Many restaurants are self-served which means that you have to go pick your own toppings, side dish, then order udon at the cooking counter. Of course, you would have to clean up (turn tray) as well. In addition to buying and tasting, you may also try to make…

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In Japan

1 Character x 20 Train Stations

Gomen-Nahari Line 後免～奈半利線

Japan is one of the most developed countries with extensive railway networks throughout the country. While the bullet train Shinkansen and Japan Railway (JR) are about speed and efficiency, some of the local trains are interesting in a different way. In Kochi, the Tosa Kuroshio Tetsudo(Railway) Gomen-Nahari Line was characterized by 20 unique figures designed by Kochi-born artist Takashi Yanase, the creator of “Anpanman” Animate.

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In Chugoku Region

Seto Bridge Line Anpanman Train

Seto Bridge Line Anpanman Torokko Train 瀨戶大橋麵包超人列車

First of all, the feature photo of this article is a composed photo of Seto Bridge and the Anpanman Torokko Train for illustration purpose. Yet these two photos are original image of the Seto Bridge and the train. While the Yosan Anpanman Train 8000 Series look the coolest both outside and inside, this Seto Bridge Anpanman Train is probably the best route in terms of scenery. Seto Inland Sea is the largest inland sea in Japan, covering a wide area with stunning view and more than 3,000 small islands. This Seto Bridge line runs between Okayama in West Japan and Takamatsu/Kotohira in Shikoku Japan. Depending where you start and finish, the train ride can be within 1 hour, long enough to it a fun excursion for children yet short enough for the parents. Perfect! This Seto Bridge Line Anpanman Train only runs at the weekend between March and middle of July, and stops in the winter (December to February). But it will operate everyday between July 21 and August 31, 2018! Please check out the train schedule for details (Japanese…

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In Japan

Anpanman Train Promotion

Anpanman Train 麵包超人列車

If you are travelling around Shikoku with your children this summer, using JR train is a good option. A) You will save a lot of stress and hassle for driving long distance. B) There are a number of Anpanman trains that you can ride on as part of the family program to amuse your children. C) There is a stamp collection campaign till 30 September 2018: collect 4 different stamps to get a special gift. It is a special Anpanman handkerchief made in Imabari, the most famous place for producing high quality towels in Japan.

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In Japan

Shikoku JR Pass Promotion

Shikoku JR Pass 四國周遊券

Taking Japan Railway(JR) is one of the most efficient and easy ways to travel around Japan. There are various passes covering different parts of Japan. JR passes are designed for overseas tourists to help them travel around easily. The cost of a long ride over 2 hours can be very high. 【Where to Buy】 Depending on where you live, you may purchase from travel agencies overseas or order online. The costs of buying in overseas are usually cheaper, say around ¥500 (HK$40). 【Cheaper to buy onboard】 It is a pleasant surprise to see a better deal on my flight to Shikoku! The 7-day All Shikoku Pass costs ¥12,000 for purchase overseas. In my last trip, the exchange rate was 0.075. So it would cost around HK$900. It was only HK$831 on board! 【Beware of the Redemption Procedure】 When you make a purchase onboard using a credit card, you get a flimsy receipt with the airline’s stamp on the back for redemption. I thought: really? I went to the JR ticketing office in Takamatsu then they said I must redeem at…

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