Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato Garden Koko-en
06/05/2026 / Last updated : 06/05/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Himeiji Castle Koko-en　姫路城西御屋敷跡庭園好古園

Nov. 6th. 2025 Michi no eki Yokawa Michi no eki Yokawa is a splendid place to stay. The parking is extensive and for the most part flat. It is also away from the road. The toilets at the far end of the parking are open on both sides and are very good. The onsen is very good too with a large outside bath. It even has a dog run. Today we are going to Shodoshima. It is the last few days of the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival. So we set off for Himeji and the ferry terminal. But first we visit the gardens adjacent to Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle Nishi-Oyashiki-ato […]
Takeno beach
10/07/2022 / Last updated : 18/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Genbudo Geopark　玄武洞公園

20th. April 2022, The slope at michi no eki Kumihama did not present any problem. There were perhaps 7 other overnight vehicles in this small michi no eki which, I realize in the morning, has a distant view of the sea and a constant chorus of frogs. Despite my initial reservations it is a good place to spend the night. Genbudo Geopark Our first destination for the day is Genbudo Geopark. Here there are some basalt cave formations we want to view. As luck would have it, there is major construction work in progress and one of the main features is closed. The first major basalt cave is a magnificent […]
Tamba Sasayama
03/06/2020 / Last updated : 13/05/2026 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Sasayama Castle and Okutsu Onsen　 篠山城 、奥津温泉

June 2019, Kyotanba Ajimu no Sato Kyotamba Ajimu no Sato is an excellent place for shachuhaku. It is one of those two faced affairs. One side is the  michi no eki and the other a SA on the highway. Being perched on a hill, there are good views of the sunset. After 8 pm there is only one, multi-purpose toilet. As we were the only people staying overnight, it was a personal bathroom. Once the michi no eki becomes popular, and it is very new, this could be a problem. The access to the  main restrooms on the SA side is open from 7 am so not a big deal. […]
Tsuda no matsubara
14/09/2019 / Last updated : 13/05/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Awajishima to Soni HIghlands　淡路島、曽爾高原

November 2018, We follow R.11 towards Tokushima to take the bridge to Awajishima. At Tsuda no Matsubara michi no eki we stop for lunch. This is a pleasant location, next to a shrine and a short walk to the beach. The michi no eki is nothing special and the facilities primitive. The beach is a good spot for a picnic with a view out over the Setonaikai. After lunch, we fill up with fuel as petrol is significantly cheaper in Tokushima-ken than Kagawa-ken. Don’t ask me why. Onaruto Bridge and Uzushio michi no eki Across Onaruto Bridge to Awaji, where we stop, on the off chance, at michi no eki […]
Himeji castle
08/05/2019 / Last updated : 13/05/2026 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Himeji, The White Heron Castle 姫路城

Days 87, 88 and 89,  December 2016, After 3 days in Kyoto visiting old friends and some of our favourite places – Kiyomizudera, Maruyama Park, Tetsugaku no michi and Manshuin to name a few – we headed out of Kyoto and followed R. 9 as the weather deteriorated. Finally we stopped at Yoka Tajima no kura michi no eki for a hot bath and to sleep for the night. We wake to weak sunshine, mist in the hollows and steam rising everywhere as we set off for Himeji. The views are wonderful with the mist rising and the sun trying to assert its supremacy; sumie scenes all around. Takeda Castle […]
01/03/2019 / Last updated : 12/05/2026 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Izushi – stork revival 出石

Summer 2018, Tajimarakuza, michi no eki, does not improve with familiarity. In mitigation, I should mention that the old building is undergoing refurbishment. So, it may be better in a few months, say Spring 2019. Izushi – stork revival From Tajimarakuza, we take a look around the nearby town of Izushi, famous for porcelain, sara-soba, an old clock tower ‘Shinkoro’ and storks. Here, some traditional buildings remain plus the foundations of the castle. These castle foundations are jumbled with an Inari (fox) shrine. Interesting enough. Izushi is only a half hour drive from the famous Kinosaki hot spring, and 2 hours from Himeji and its famous castle.   As we […]