Onarutokyo
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 : 30/10/2021 d.d Shikoku - Nara Road Trip '19

Befu gorge べふ峡

October 31st. 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 […]
Japanese Umbrella
07/09/2019 / Last updated : 24/10/2021 d.d Shikoku and Kii peninsula 2018

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

November 6th. 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 […]
Cape Muroto
04/09/2019 / Last updated : 25/10/2021 d.d Shikoku and Kii peninsula 2018

Kochi Sunday Market, Cape Muroto and Awa no Dochu　高知日曜市、室戸岬,　阿波の土柱

November 4th. Leaving the michi-no-eki we drive into Kochi city and park in the castle car park. We want to explore the Sunday Market. This, D. informs me, is the largest in Japan with a history of more than 300 years. Kochi Sunday Market The stalls run down one side of the street but, Kochi has wide streets and a lot of open space. This means there is room for a double row of stalls and the punters to stroll down the middle. On display are antiques and junk, mostly junk. A large number of stalls are offering all manner of knives, saws, hatchets and scissors, any kind of sharp […]