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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

07/09/2020 / Last updated : 01/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Onaruto Bridge to Horyuji　大鳴門橋、法隆寺

November 2019, Hina no Sato Katsuura michi no eki A very quiet night at Hina no Sato Katsuura michi no eki. Ours was the only vehicle in a very large car park and the road, after the evening rush, was largely devoid of traffic. The facilities are reasonable but during the morning busy period prove to be rather too small. This is because the adjoining JA vegetable market is very popular. This area of Shikoku we have explored on previous trips, so after filling up with fuel, (for some reason I cannot fathom, Tokushima-ken has significantly cheaper fuel than most other places) we head out on the highway across Awaji-shima […]

30/08/2020 / Last updated : 01/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Befu gorge べふ峡

October 2019, Yasu michi no eki Yasu michi no eki is a little noisy, due to the piped music, until around 9 pm and the local youth use it as a gathering spot, but it calms down after 10. It is then quiet enough until the farmers start delivering produce around 6. Behind the michi no eki building is a beach with playgrounds for kids. There are also restaurants, so for shachuhaku it has up and downsides. In summer it must be far too busy. We start our day with a walk along the beach on a wooden boardwalk and realize this must be quite a popular place for families […]

07/09/2019 / Last updated : 02/02/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Oboke, Iya and Mima in Tokushima　大歩危、祖谷、美馬

November 2018, Oboke Valley 　大歩危 Our plan for the morning is to climb Mt. Tsurugi but, the forecast is cloud and we can see the mist hanging over the peaks in the distance. So, we postpone the climb for a day. As an alternative, we decide to drive the Oboke valley. This is a disappointment, as the valley is difficult to appreciate from the road and the only access points appear to be boat tour stations. Boat tours are popular, perhaps, the only way to view this valley. Iya no Kazurabashi We continue on to visit the famous vine bridge at Iya no Kazurabashi. On arrival, we decide we don’t […]