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 […]

10/05/2023 / Last updated : 16/05/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Yusumizugaura and Sotodomari, stone wall scenery in Ehime　遊子水荷浦、外泊

2023 spring trip. March 25th. & 26th. Houyo Strait　　豊予海峡 From Saganoseki, Kyushu to Misaki Port, Shikoku by Kokudo Kyushi ferry. This is a 70-minute, drive on/drive off, trip across the Houyo Strait. This strait is famous for its strong current and the resulting delicious fish. The current I can vouch for, the changes in the surface of the sea are very apparent. The fish, not so much. Once in Shikoku, we head for Tsushima Yasuragi no Sato for the night. This michi no eki is good on this very wet night, being flat and with a covered walkway to approach the facilities. But the bath and the restaurant have closed […]

06/08/2020 / Last updated : 12/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Uchiko and Shikoku Karst 内子、四国カルスト

October 2019, Tenku no sato Sansan and Uchiko Fresh Park Karari michi no eki Tenku no sato Sansan michi no eki is a good place to stay. It is not the first time for us to stay here so it holds up on a second visit. This, despite the torrential rain all night that remains solid in the morning. There is extremely heavy, low cloud all around. Absolutely no chance of climbing Mt. Ishizuchi today, though the weather is forecast to clear by the afternoon. We set off for Uchiko, a town with a preserved historical district. On arrival, we park at Uchiko Fresh Park Karari michi no eki. This […]

30/07/2020 / Last updated : 03/05/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

The UFO Line-scenic drivecourse　　UFOライン

October 2019, Beppu-wan SA Woke in Beppu-wan SA (Oita-do highway) after a cold and very windy night, and a drive from Fukuoka. This service area is on the top of the hill overlooking Beppu near the APU campus. I once met an APU student, from Singapore, whose first words in Japanese were “Kaze ga tsuyoi desu ne” The wind is strong, isn’t it? If you spend time around APU you will understand this. Nevertheless, from a shachuhaku point of view Beppu-wan SA is a good place to stay,. It is busy early on a Sunday night but ultimately quiet. There is a viewing mound, or grassy knoll, with a view […]

02/09/2019 / Last updated : 01/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Climbing Mt. Ishizuchi　石鎚山

November 1st. 2018, Tenku no sato San san michi-no-eki. Tenku no sato San san is a good michi-no-eki to spend the night. It is quiet, and the toilet is ok. There is a village loud speaker announcement at 6.30 am but we were up early anyway to set off for Ishizuchisan. We pick up onigiri for lunch at the Lawson across the road and follow Route 12 to the Ishizuchi skyline. Tsuchigoya　土小屋 There are a few climbing routes to Mt.Ishizuchi. One of route (Omotesando) requires a Ropeway and Lift to reach the starting point at 1280m. Tsuchigoya route’s starting point is at 1492m and probably an hour shorter walk than […]

31/08/2019 / Last updated : 11/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Omogo Gorge and Iwaya-ji 面河渓、岩屋寺

October 2018, & November 2025 Imabari Yunoura Onsen michi no eki Imabari Yunoura onsen michi no eki is noisy, being on the main road, but I sleep well regardless. In the morning, I discover it doesn’t have an onsen, but it does have a Fog Machine. This is a dome of large, rough stones that intermittently puffs out steam. To invoke the spirit of an onsen, perhaps? Omogo Gorge 面河渓 Today our plan is to visit Iwaya-ji, a Henro Trail temple (no.45), but first we drive to Omogo-kei or Omogo Gorge. The gorge is very fine and it is an access point for climbing mountains. Consequently, it provides a walk […]

29/08/2019 / Last updated : 12/05/2026 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Tokoro Museum and Kirosan Observatory on Shimanami Kaido　しまなみ海道

October 2018, A very quiet night. Shimanami no eki Mishima is fine for an overnight stay. The toilet is basic and none too clean, but it is ok. Oyamazumi Shrine 　大山祇神社 We start the day with a wander around Oyamazumi shrine on Omishima island. This is next door to Shimanami no eki Mishima. The shrine is quite large with a fine Kusunoki (Camphor) tree. Some of the buildings are new, but these are in traditional style. A good example of a better than average shrine. Worth a visit. Tokoro Museum After a tour around Omishima island, we visit the Tokoro Museum. This is a small art museum, built as a […]

27/08/2019 / Last updated : 12/05/2026 d.d Hiking / Walking

Takehara to Shimanami Kaido　竹原、しまなみ海道

October 2018, A little rain in the night at Mito SA. The morning is aglow with misty sunshine that rapidly becomes more shine than mist. The cleaners are abroad in the car park with their yellow balloons attached to their helmets. We follow the Chugoku Expressway but, sadly, only as far as Ogori where we pick up the Sanyo Expressway. This is not such a good road as far as I am concerned, more traffic, more tunnels, less undulation and fewer curves. Takehara – Taketsuru Masataka Coming off the Sanyo, we take Route 185 to Takehara. This town has an area of Meiji era houses; just one street really, overlooked […]