The smallest island of four main islands in Japan, includes Ehime, Kagawa, Tokushima and Kochi prefectures.

Gate of Shosanji temple
11/08/2024 / Last updated : 11/08/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Kamiyama, weeping cherry town　神山町

April 4th. 2024 Kamiyama Onsen michi no eki is very quiet during the night but comes alive early in the morning. Perhaps it is a meeting point for construction crews. We set off for Shosan-ji temple, number 12 on the Henro trail and the second highest (938m). On the way, we stop to take pictures of Shidare Sakura (weeping cherry) this is Kamiyama after all. Shosan-ji temple　焼山寺 The temple is reached by a tortuous, narrow lane necessitating the odd reverse to accommodate oncoming traffic. At the top, is a large car park from which you follow a track with a steep cliff face on one side and views over the […]
Gate of Ryozenji temple
29/07/2024 / Last updated : 29/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Henro Trail Ryozenji temple　霊山寺

April 3rd. 2024 The rain in the night at michi no eki Itano was of little consequence, stopping and starting in an opportune manner but the day ahead is a wet prospect. We set off to a coin laundry so as not to waste a fine day. Ryozenji temple After the laundry, we go to see temple number 1 of the Henro trail, Ryozenji. This temple is of some interest. It has a solid wooden gate not large but elegant and immediately inside a pond across which is a view of a hall topped with gold ornamentation. The pagoda is of particular interest having a rounded mid-section. I am sure […]
Shikoku Negoro-ji gate
29/07/2024 / Last updated : 29/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Negoroji (Henro 82) and Ritsurin Koen　根香寺、栗林公園

April 2nd. 2024 A second night at Takarada no Sato is uneventful but we linger and explore the shop when it opens. It has an impressive selection of local veg. The asparagus and shiitake being particularly tempting but useless to us. The bonsai were interesting, and we did buy bread from the bakery for tonight’s dinner. It has the seal of approval. Negoroji temple From the michi no eki we went to Negoroji Temple, Henro number 82. This was a well-maintained place with interesting and unusual features. Notably, a kind of rectangular corridor housing thousands of small figures dimly lit by ornate lanterns. I have never seen anything similar. There […]
view from Shiude-yama
25/07/2024 / Last updated : 25/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Shiude-yama cherry blossoms　紫雲出山

April 1st. 2024 Luckily, the thunder and rain eased well before mid-night so no frantic dash to the toilets in a downpour. Michi no eki Takarada no Soto is on the noisy side, a lot of traffic in and out and trucks running engines all night. Ichinomiya Park　一の宮公園 Now we have a day to kill as we have a reservation to drive up Shiude-yama to view the cherry blossom. We must be at the fishing port at the foot of the mountain around 4.30pm. First, we take a look at Ichinomiya Koen(park). This is an ordinary sort of park but with a swimming beach. There are people taking advantage of […]
Unpen-ji
22/07/2024 / Last updated : 22/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Iya-kei, the remote gorge beyond Kazura bashi, to Unpeiji temple　祖谷渓から雲辺寺

March 31st. 2024 Early on Sunday morning michi no eki Konoka becomes decidedly less quiet. Numerous people arrive to use the facilities, hikers, bikers, and families. The Radio Taiso (calisthenics) was also something of a shock. A good place that has, nevertheless, withstood the test of a second visit. Nikobuchi　にこ淵 As usual, we are the last of the overnighters to leave as we set off for Nikobuchi. This is a waterfall and blue pool. It has become more well known of late, but the parking is still haphazard at the top of the usual narrow, winding road. There is now a set of prefabricated steps to take you down to […]
Matsuyama castle
17/07/2024 / Last updated : 14/08/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Matsuyama Castle, an original castle tower. 松山城

March 30th. 2024 Michi no eki Nakayama is very busy from early morning. I can only ascribe this to the excellent facilities. The day is warm and hazy as we set off for Matsuyama Castle by way of Unozaki Toge (Pass) and Tobe town(PR53). The pass provides an interesting, narrow, winding drive with typical Shikoku steep mountainsides and narrow valleys. We were hoping for spectacular views from the top of the pass but were hemmed in by trees. Nevertheless, a good route to choose. Dropping down into Tobe town we were expecting a village, but it is quite a substantial place warranting a dual carriageway. The central meridian decorated with […]
Nagoro Scarecrow
17/05/2023 / Last updated : 21/05/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Oku-Iya, Ochiai Village and Nagoro Scarecrow Village　　奥祖谷

March 28th. Tuesday Very reasonable night at  Michi no eki Musasabi no sato. but very cold as we are at some elevation. The facilities are reasonable. Fresh flowers! It is busy in the morning and the parking is close to the road, but the road is quiet during the night. We leave and take the road towards the famous vine bridge in the Iya valley. This place is very popular with foreign tourists for some reason. We do not view the bridge but press on, on Route 439 towards Mt. Tsurugi. This narrow and tortuous road we follow basically all day. Ochiai Village Observatory　　落合集落展望所 First, we stop at michi no […]
Minokoshi coast
17/05/2023 / Last updated : 21/05/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Tatsukushi and Minokoshi Coast, weird rocks and coral sea.　　竜串

March 27th. Monday Ohtsuki michi no eki and Kashiwa Jima Michi no eki Ohtsuki comes alive in the morning. The market is opening, and people seem to be seeking information from the appropriate office. The facilities are small but functional. Leaving Ohtsuki, we make for Kashiwa Jima. This turns out to be a pleasant enough drive, but I noted nothing of particular interest in Kashiwa Jima itself. It is a spot popular with divers because of very clear water, (water so clear boats appear to be floating in the air), and variety of fish. There are clearly a number of dive tour boats in the harbour plus dive school B […]