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VOL.19
Bringing the best of Japan to around the world 2016 Summer issue VOL.20
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Bridge To Timeless Elegance
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Sweets & Snacks Japan Matcha Boom, Fruits Mania, Depachika, and more! TOKYO ISLAND A Short Trip from Tokyo Harbor
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暦 Koyomi 1st Januar y
こよみを楽しむ
IN HARMONY WITH THE SEASONS
Hatsumode
初詣
text & coordination/ Rieko Ido, photo/ Hajime Watanabe 文とスタイリング:井戸理恵子、写真:渡辺肇
The Japanese New Year starts with the tolling of the temple bells known as Joyanokane. Temples throughout Japan start ringing their bells on December 31st a few minutes before midnight to help usher in the New Year. According to Buddhist beliefs, the solemn sound of the bell rids people from evil desires, anger and obsession, and purifies their soul for the upcoming year. On the morning of New Year’s Day, the head of the family used to get water from a well or tap and offer it to the Shinto altar in the house as a way to pay respect to the god of the year. This particular water is called Wakamizu, the first water of the year, and is believed to give rejuvenating power
to people. Later the water would be shared among family members so as to drink in the holy power of Wakamizu. These old traditions are the origins of a modern custom called Hatsumode, the first visit to a shrine or temple. As times change, there are fewer families who own Shinto altars in their houses. So instead, they would go to nearby shrines and temples, or go to famous ones to welcome the New Year. Many people assume Hatsumode is a centuries-old tradition, but it was only relatively recently that people started visiting sacred places on New Year’s Day. Though customs have changed, the intrinsic nature of welcoming a new year by facing a lucky direction and praying to
the gods remains the same. After all, as they say in Japan the “New Year’s Day is the key to having a good year.” At temples, visitors walk to the main hall, ring the bell, make offerings and pray. Some of them write their wishes on wooden plaques and hang them up, try a fortune slip or purchase a decorative arrow that wards off evil. Hatsumode is now one of the most practiced New Year customs among Japanese people. What better way to ring in the new year.
Rieko Ido A graduate of Kokugakuin University, researcher of ancient Japanese customs and knowledge, conducting technical analysis on findings to apply them to modern lifestyles. Currently teaches at Tama Art University.
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5
IKOKU Made in SH
四 国
6 D 5 N r o a d trip in
SH IKOKU
By car/walk Other transportation Places we went! KIV for next time.
Island hopp
Takamatsu Airport
ing
Kagawa
香川
Tokushima Awaodori Airport Matsuyama Airport
愛媛
Ehime
徳島
Tokushima Kõchi
Ad v e n
t ur e T
im e ! !
高知
Car Rental Renting a car in Japan is as easy as ABC! There are a number of car rental companies to choose from, including Times Car Rental, Toyota Rent a Car, Nissan Rent a Car and ORIX Rent a Car. We used ToCoo! Travel , an online reservation website in English , to compare rates among all the companies and eventually settled with Nissan as it came highly recommended by a colleague. One great thing about using this website is that they ensure that our GPS is fully in English too.
Finally arrived in Kagawa Prefecture (香川県) and kicked off our Shikoku adventure! True to its name of “four countries“, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures. This time, our intention was to go on a self-drive tour and discover a side of Japan that we never knew before! While this was my first trip to Shikoku Prefecture and the first time driving on the roads of Japan, two of my companions had traveled to Shikoku before and could safely guide us on our adventure. With a comprehensive itinerary planned out, we were all looking forward to relaxing and having fun while enjoying the food and sceneries of this laidback region.
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As there are no direct flights between Singapore and Shikoku, we flew to Tokyo and transferred to Takamatsu Airport in Kagawa Prefecture.
An alternative way to get there is riding a limousine bus which links Kansai Airport in Osaka to Takamatsu Station, which takes slightly over 3 hours.
Car rental rates start from S$100 per day for a compact car, and can go up to S$180 for 8-seaters excluding fuel. REMINDER! Apply for international driving licenses.
6
Getting there!
～ Here we go!~ 行くぞ
Kagawa & Island hopping
1
Takamatsu City
Ehime
Kochi
Driving related information
Tokushima
L oving’ it!
DAY 1
Kotohira-gû Shrine 金刀比羅宮 This Shinto shrine is found halfway to the top of Mt. Zôzu and is more commonly known as Konpira-san (こんぴらさん). We climbed 785 steps to the main shrine, and another 583 steps to get to the inner shrine. (Yan was too tired so he hired a palanquin to bring him up to the main hall.) Direction: 28km drive from Takamatsu Airport.
For future travel needs: Noticing a logo for Idemitsu Engine Oil at the car rental company, Teppei got really excited. According to our resident car fanatic, this is one of the best lubricants that reduces fuel consumption so hopefully that saves costs for us throughout our trip!
One with nature Kotohiragu Shrine 892-1 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado District
#LivingLife #iminheaven
Gas station we stopped at. KIV for next time.
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Imabari city Missing Post Office
1 2 Kotohira Kotohira-gû
Takamatsu Airport
Shikoku Henro, #88
Kagawa
Postal co de pa n symbol in Ja
Driving 101 Search for local addresse s using postal codes instead of entering the entire street name; it is convenient and more accurate!
Takamatsu City
Shikoku Henro 四国遍路 Also known as the Shikoku pilgrimage route, it covers the 88 official temples and shrines where the famous Japanese Buddhist monk KÚkai did his training during the 9th century. Completing the pilgrimage is said to provide individuals with the chance to reflect on one's life and improve.
Folklore According to many of the locals, traveling
Mitoyo City
Missing Post Office 漂流郵便局 Created by artist Saya Kubota as part of the Setouchi Art Festival, this old post office displays art pieces related to mail. Anyone can anonymously submit messages or letters to the post office, which can then be read by visitors. This mysterious post office sits in the middle of Awashima Island, so it was too far for us to visit this time.
from Temple #88 (大 to Temple 窪寺, Okuboji) #1 (霊山寺, Ryozenji)
will give the pilgrim more luck, so we might try that out someday!
香 川
XOXO, with love.
Missing Post Office 1317-2 Takumachō Awashima Opening hours Open on the 2nd and 4 th Sat of every month from 1pm – 4pm missing-post-office.com
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Sanuki Udon 讃岐うどん Shikoku is an udon kingdom, and Kagawa is said to have over 700 udon restaurants. It is Wellknown as the place of origin of Sanuki udon, a type of wheatflour noodles that has a smooth texture and strong flavour that sets it apart from the other udon types in Japan. Local Tips Remind friends to slurp! Unlike most cultures where slurping noodles is
Kagawa Udon
considered rude, Japanese chefs find slurping to be a form of compliment. So there was no time to be shy, we slurped up our yummy udon to show how much we were enjoying the meal!
# Oishi #S lurp
香 川
Missing Post Office
1 2 Kotohira Kotohira-gû
2
Loca l Tips
Udon Tour うどんツアー
Keep a lookout for where the locals are queuei ng to find the best udon restaurant!
We began our own udon tour in Kotohira (琴平町), which has a row of udon restaurants. Starting with the most basic udon - a kelp-based soup seasoned with light soy sauce, we then customised our own udon with a variety of toppings including leeks, ginger, eggs and sesame seeds. Adding seafood or vegetable tempura is also a popular choice amongst locals. It was extremely enjoyable hopping from store to store to discover the subtle differences in the broth and try out new combinations of toppings! Each bowl of udon typically costs around 300 to 400, so despite eating 5 bowls I Direction: 3.7km drive from spent less than $25! Kotohiragu Shrine
Udon Bus うどんバス
T he wheels the busogno ro un d and ro un d !
The udon culture is so strong in Kagawa that there's even a local tour bus bringing visitors around to sample different udon. Kotosan Bus operates half-day and full-day tours bringing visitors to the best udon restaurants. Next time I'm definitely signing up! Weekdays: 1,000/adult 500/child (Half-day), 1,600/adult 800/child (Full-day)
Sat, Sun & National Holidays: 1,500/adult 750/child (Full-day) More details here: kotosan.co.jp/sp/
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Ehime
Kochi
Seto Inland Sea 瀬戸内海 The beautiful Seto Inland Sea separates Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu and is home to almost 3,000 islands. As numerous islands are connected to Kagawa by ferry services, we decided to take the opportunity to drop by some of the major ones such as ShÔdo Island (小豆島), Naoshima Islands (直島) and Teshima (豊島). These islands are also actively involved in the Setouchi Triennale, or Setouchi International Art Festival. 4
5
Naoshima
3
Driving related information
Tokushima
3
2016 Setouchi Triennale 瀬戸内国際芸術祭2016 Featuring an array of contemporary art pieces displayed on a dozen islands surrounding Kagawa's capital of Takamatsu (高松), the festival only began in 2010 and held once every three years, so we definitely picked the right year to visit! In addition to the artworks in existence on the many museums on the islands, an estimated 100 new artworks by upcoming artists from Japan and overseas are exhibited on the twelve islands and around the ports of Takamatsu in Kagawa and Uno in Honshu.
Angel Road
2016 Setouchi Triennale
Island Hopping
Can I t?ake a b of this
ite
Getting there! Takamatsu Airport
High speed boats operate between Takamatsu Port and the various islands. Ferry services are also
Shikoku Henro, #88
available between islands, but we had to be sure to check the timetables carefully to avoid being stranded on one of them.
Driving 101
While we only spent one day touring the islands this time, we will definitely get the 3-Day Triennale Ferry Pass if we come back in three years' time. The pass is the most value-for-money way to explore all 12 islands during the art festival, as it provides the holder with unlimited traveling between eight different ferry routes. The Triennale Passport is also the best way to visit multiple museums and spots at a discounted rate of 5,000 per person!
Always look for parking near tourist attractions or national parks as they charge a flat fee for whole day parking.
5
Angel Road エンジェルロード One of the most romantic spots during our island journey, this sandbar connects three smaller islands to ShÔdo Island, which is safe to cross twice a day when the tide is low. It is said that couples who walk across Angel Road hand in hand will find happiness together!
4
Naoshima 直島
This tiny tranquil island existed as a sleepy fishing town before it was transformed into an island of art. We paid a visit to the Benesse House, ChichÚ Art Museum and Lee Ufan Museum, which displayed impressive art by big names such as Claude Monet, Andy Warhol and Hiroshi Sugimoto. The most well-known sight of all was the giant yellow pumpkin, which has become Naoshima's icon. Found at the end of a pier sticking out into the Inland Sea, this massive piece by Kusama Yayoi is an amazing backdrop for wefies.
#soromantic!
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Tokushima
6
Anan City
Atarashiya あたらしや This lovely Bed and Breakfast (民宿, minshuku) is run by none other than Haruka's mother! We had the privilege of staying at this beautifully kept lodge, and all meals for the guests are prepared and made with care by the okami-san (おかみさん). The seafood served was extremely fresh, and after dinner, we headed to a hidden onsen nearby where there was a superb view of the ocean and countryside.
DAY 2
Atarashiya Kamouda-154 Tsubakichō Tel: 090-6880-7643
Direction: 120km drive from Takamatsu City to Atarashiya
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Tokushima City
Mt. Bizan 眉山 The symbol of Tokushima City, this mountain stands at 290 metres and resembles eyebrows, which is where it derives its name. We took the ropeway up to the 5th storey and slowly made our way to the top, where we were greeted with a panoramic view of the city and Awaji Island. Mt. Bizan Ropeway Shinmachibashi 2-chome Opening hours 9am – 5.30pm
#sogo od
Direction: 53km drive from Atarashiya to Mt. Bizan
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Loca l Tips Temperature s can drop after mid-November, especially at higher elevations, so remem ber to pack warm jacket s!
Tokushima City
Awa Odori Kaikan 阿波おどり会館
Awa Odori Kaikan 2-20 Shinmachibashi Opening hours 9am - 9pm awaodori-kaikan.jp
Although we missed the chance to catch the largest traditional dance festival in Japan, we were able to visit the Awa Odori museum located at the foot of Mt. Bizan. The place showcases costumes and musical instruments used in the dance, and even features a group who performs both olden and modern day dances live for visitors!
9
Tokushima City
Tokushima Ramen 徳島ラーメン
Ita no ni 4 Chome-25 Nishidaikumachi Opening hours 10.30am - 5pm uma-e.net/ramen/store/302/
Unlike most ramen which comes with a soft-boiled egg, Tokushima's famous noodle dish is served in a brownish Tonkotsu broth base with dark soy sauce and topped with a raw egg. We tried this slightly sweet and savoury ramen at a small restaurant not far from Mt. Bizan and absolutely loved the soft thin noodles. Other variations of the dish is made with chicken or vegetable soup and is yellow in colour instead. Direction: 0.6km walk from Awa Odori Kaikan
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Ehime
Kochi
Driving related information
10 Miyoshi City
Iya Valley 祖谷渓
DAY 3
This secluded mountainous valley which lies along the Iya River is commonly divided into two areas - West Iya is more developed and accessible, while Inner Iya is difficult to reach without private transport. Making use of our rental car, we drove in to the inner valley and found a restored Samurai House displaying armour and daily tools, as well as the Oku-Iya Kazurabashi Bridges, also known as husband and wife bridges.
Reminder! Ensure that you have Japanese yen before enough heading into Iya Valley, as there are banks in the area, and only three no ATMs or money changers.
OM G! So pretty !!
Shikoku Henro, #01
Driving 101 Michi no eki (道の駅) aka Rest Stops: Mark out all the Roadside Stations on the roads! These are government-designated rest areas that sell local food and has 24-hour parking, restrooms and even facilities for sharing tourism information.
13 Koboke
12
10 Iya Valley 11
Oboke Michi no Eki Nishi Iya
Mt. Bizen
徳島
9
8
Awa Odori
Tokushima Atarashiya
Local slang Pron ounc ed as "Ma-keh Ma-keh"
7
Tokushima Ramen
Make Make Don
6
So chio!
まけまけ丼
ああ
ing alty is the local slang mean This name of this area's speci of , it refer s to the large piece "so much that it overflows" e led with sweet tonkatsu sauc fried minced pork cutlet drizz stea ming rice. Yum! of bowl a of top on lays that
By the way
あ～
11
Michi no Eki Nishi Iya
道の駅にしいや
Stopped at this rest station after visiting Oboke Valley in order to stock up on food and snacks. There is even a hot spring facility next to the station so we could take a hot bath and feel refreshed before hitting the road again. Michi no eki Nishi Iya 348-2 Nishiiyayamamura Oinouchi Opening hours 9am - 5pm
Direction:7.5km drive from Iya Valley
12 13 Miyoshi City
Oboke ◉ Koboke 大歩危・小歩危
We paid a visit to see the spectacular views at Oboke and Koboke, the two valleys found upstream of the Yoshino River, the largest river in Shikoku that flows through three prefectures. The most unforgettable view of the entire valley can be seen from Route 32, the Direction: 10km drive from national highway connecting Michi no Eki Nishi Iya Takamatsu and KÔchi.
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Kochi
Tokushima
Driving 101 Highlight prominent gas stations along your driving routes, and note the different gasoline types hai-oku (ハイオク) has octane levels of 98 to 100,
14 Hirome Ichiba
while regular (レギュラー) refers to normal unleaded petrol. Use満満 満(mantan) to ask for a full tank!
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18
Katsurahama
Kõchi高 知
Niyodo River
17 16
Shimanto River
Daruma Sunset
14 Kochi DAY 4
Hirome Ichiba ひろめ市場
! Kan pai
Packed with over 60 stores which sell everything from fresh fish to local souvenirs and clothes, this market is fondly known to locals as Hirome and was brimming with life no matter where we turned. There were a number of wooden tables and benches set up in a food court style, so we could buy snacks and beer from different stores and enjoy them without shifting from place to place. We also heard from the locals that many community celebrations are held here, including Halloween and New Year's Eve Countdown! Hirome Market 2 Chome-3-1 Obiyamachi Direction: 65.5km drive Opening hours from Miyoshi City 8am – 11pm
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Niyodo River 仁淀川 Also known to locals as Niyodo Blue (仁淀ブルー), this mysterious pool of clear blue water is supposedly the most beautiful in the whole of Japan. This secret spot is less well known compared to Shimanto River but is no less scenic. We spent a pleasant hour here trekking along the river to see the stunning Nikofuchi Waterfall (にこ淵). Direction: 23km drive from Hirome Ichiba
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Daruma Sunset ダルマ夕日 This famous natural phenomenon can only be seen approximately twenty times between mid-November Direction: 118km drive and mid-February so we were not able to catch the from Niyodo River rare sight this time. Recognized as one of the hundred most beautiful sunsets in Japan, this occurs due to the Michi no eki Sukumo Sunny Side Park temperature difference between the cold winter air and 1023−44, Sukumo, Sakanoshita the warm surface of the ocean, creating a sort of mirage.
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Ehime
17
Driving related information
Shimanto City
Shimanto River 四万十川 Experience a night away from the hustle and bustle of city life by camping along the Shimanto River instead of staying at a hotel. The Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawarakko is situated on the banks of the river and offers 26 campsites overlooking it. We booked ourselves a night here and were not disappointed. Toilets and shower facilities were available alongside hundreds of canoes, tents and other camp goods. Even as a beginner, I could navigate the gentle currents of the Shimanto River easily on my canoe!
Our first stop in Kochi was the gorgeous Shimanto River. Renowned for being Japan's last pristine river, the 2270 km2 catchment area is home to more than 90 species of wild fish. Some local fishermen we met also volunteered to show us how to fish for ayu (鮎, sweet fish) and river prawns. We then had the chance to grill the ayu, which tasted fresh and had the faint aroma of watermelon. We noticed that the bridges spanning the river had no rail guards, and later found out that this helps to prevent them from being washed away during times of flood. Direction: 27km drive from Michi no eki Sukumo Sunny Side Park
DAY 5
Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawarakko 24 Tadenokawa, Shimanto City Opening hours 8am – 6pm
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Katsurahama 桂浜 Arriving here, we were surprised to find out that this beach area prohibits swimming due to strong currents. Instead of hanging out by the beach, we visited the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, dedicated to one of the men instrumental in ending Japan's feudal age in 1868. We ended up taking a photo of his statue on the beach too! After that, we got to try Kochi's most famous dish - katsuo no tataki (鰹のタタキ), made using sliced skipjack tuna lightly grilled on the outside and served with spring onions, ginger, Direction: 124km drive garlic and soya sauce with vinegar and citrus. from Shimanto River Autumn is the best time for this dish as the fish are fatter and thus richer in taste compared to spring. Katsurahama Beach Katsurahama Urado, Kochi
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Ehime
Tokushima
愛 Ehime 媛 20
21 22
Matsuyama Castle
Kochi
Driving 101
Imabari Towel Museum
Be prepared to pay tolls! Just like Singapore's ERP, Japan charges fees starting from満 2,000 when you use highways and cross
Dogo Onsen & 10-Factory
bridges, and even cyclists are not exempt from paying.
19 Mt. Ishizuchi
DAY 6
19
Mt. Ishizuchi 石鎚山 Eager to check out the highest mountain in western Japan, we drove to the lower station of the Ishizuchi Tozan ropeway early in the morning. Being amateur hikers, we decided to take the ropeway up and start our climb at 1,300 metres, more than halfway to the peak of 1,982 metres. Along the way, we saw some pilgrims hiking in white robes, and all the while, we were admiring the wonderful autumn colours and inhaling the crisp air. The entire climb to the summit took us almost three hours but the sense of accomplishment and view from the top was definitely worth it. Direction: 116km drive from Katsurahama Beach
Ehime is known as the cycling par in Japan, and for good reason adise climate is mild, and there are ! The courses that vary in distance multiple so is something for every cyclist. there are also dedicated bicycle laneThere s on the Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道 60 kilometre toll road that con ), a Honshu to Shi koku. Bicycles cannects rented and dropped off at ter be on either end of the route andminals even along the way if cyclists get too tired and want to switch to riding the bus for the rest of the journey.
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Matsuyama Castle 松山城 One of Japan's twelve castles that survived the post-feudal era since 1868, this majestic building stands on Mt. Katsuyama and took us less than 10 minutes to ascend to the main keep using the ropeway. We strolled about the inner circle of defense, known as Ninomaru, which used to serve as the lord's office and residence, and has since been turned into a park with lots of flora and fauna. Direction: 73.6km drive from Mt. Ishizuchi
Matsuyama Castle Keep 1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama City Opening hours 9am – 4.30pm
Driving related information
21
Dogo Onsen 道後温泉 I was extremely thrilled to stop at Dogo Onsen Honkan, a wooden public bathhouse which dates back to 1894, said to be the inspiration for my favourite Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away. The charismatic building houses two old-fashioned indoor baths and other bath house facilities. Feeling fatigued, we chose Plan 2 on the menu, which included rental yukata and access to the public tatami room, as well as tea and crackers, all for 840 yen each.
Dogo Onsen Honkan Yunomachi-5 Dōgoyunomachi Opening hours 6am – 11pm dogokan.co.jp/gl/
Direction: 73.6km drive from Matsuyama Castle
#much yum! 22
10-Factory Ehime is the top producer of citrus fruits in the whole of Japan, providing the nation with varieties such as Iyokan oranges (伊予 柑) and mandarin oranges. In order to taste the best of these yummy fruits, we made a pit-stop at 10-Factory, a café and store specialising in mikan (みかん) products. We loved the hipster vibes and delicate packaging of all their products, and especially enjoyed the refreshing citrus sherbet and juice. Unable to decide what souvenirs to buy, I bought a bit of everything, from jam to dried mikan and even mikan coffee!
Eat! ! d!! Eat Food!! Foo
Tai Meshi, 鯛めし This traditional local dish is served differently in the eastern and southern area of Ehime. We tried the eastern version, made with sea bream sashimi dipped in seasoning on steaming rice!
Direction: 0.2km walk from Dogo Onsen Honkan
10 FACTORY 12-34 Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen Opening hours 10am - 7pm 10-mikan.com
Driving 101
Reminder! Imabari Towels, 今治タオル Pick up some of these soft and super absorbent towels as a practical souvenir for friends and family! These towels uses specially selected cotton which are bleached and dyed using soft water from the Takanawa and Ishizuchi mountains, creating a fabric that absorbs water in just five seconds! There is even a museum dedicated to this famous product showing the towel-making process and selling a large variety of towels and related goods. We each bought a towel Towel Museum Ichihiro and are going to 2930 Asakurakami, Imabari City its test out Opening hours 9.30am - 6pm absorbency tonight! asakura_museum.html
Ensure that the car has a full tank of gas before returning it to the car rental company. Some car rental services have agreements with certain gas stations that offer value prices to customers refueling, so ask for a list of those!
Heading Back Ended our whirlwind tour of Shikoku on a high note and dropped off our car at a station in Ehime Prefecture. This way, we could save time and cut costs by flying back to Tokyo from Matsuyam a Airport before leaving for Singapore .
towelmuseum-group.com/english/
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15
Awesome Side Trips from Tokyo
Oku-Nikko Oku-Nikko
Tobu Nikko Station is about 2 hours away by Tobu Railway
Tobu Nikko Station
Ibaraki Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
Tokyo
Packed with World Heritage sites, Nikko has already cemented its status as a popular tourists’ destination. But there is a lot more to Nikko than just national treasures. An abundance of breathtaking nature and fun activities await the intrepid traveller. The NIKKO All AREA PASS allows you to be both adventurous and savvy, as you can ride trains and buses in Nikko for four days, exploring all the destinations you like. Dare to go off and beyond the beaten track and discover your favourite “new” Nikko spots!
Kinugawa Onsen Station
Shimo-imaichi Station
TOKYO SKYTREE Station
Asakusa Station Kanagawa Prefecture
Haneda Airport Chiba Prefecture
Narita Airport
Fall
Take a breath of nature discover lakes, waterfalls and highlands
Tochigi Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
Spring
1
Not to be is M sed Secret Locations
Nature’s Wonder
Kegon Waterfall
Kegon Waterfall, with an impressive drop of 97 metres, is the most famous falls amongst the many in Nikko. Known as one of Japan’s three greatest falls, Kegon is surrounded by scenery that will leave you in awe. For a close-up encounter with a view of the dynamic water cascade, take the elevator down to the viewing observatory.
3
A Splash of Beauty
Ryuzu Waterfall
Ryuzu, translated as “Dragon’s Head” in Japanese, is a powerful waterfall upstream of Mount Nantai. In the summer, lush green leaves and pink azaleas decorate the falls and in autumn, brilliant foliage paints the background in striking red hues.
ste Palate Enjoyment for Your Ta
Ryuzu Chaya Take a front row seat and watch the water flowing down the vertical drop at full power from this nostalgic tea house. Ozoni, a soup containing fried mochi, and dango, a Japanese dessert made from mochi rice, are popular menu choices. The coffee shop next door also offers traditional sweets and matcha set.
2 Bio-Paradise
Senjogahara
This four square kilometre marshland in the highlands of Nikko National Park is home to 350 species of animals and plants. Regularly maintained hiking trails connect many of the attractions. June to August is the best time to visit as everywhere you look, flowers of all shapes, colours and sizes are in full abundance.
Hours: 9am - 5pm (hours differ by season) Address: 2485 Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Ozoni (Japanese soup with rice cakes)is very popular at Ryuzu Chaya.
Flowers Oku-Nikko’s Blooming
16
Azalea
Japanese Thistle
Tiger Lily
Azaleas around Mount Nantai and Chuzenji bloom in May and June. These flowering shrubs come in pink shades that add softness to the atmosphere.
Gorgeous violet thistles often appear in July around Odashirogahara, an area west of Senjogahara.
A symbol of summer, it derives its name from its resemblance to lily and the fact that the flower lasts only one day. The best viewing season is from late June to early July.
| WAttention Malaysia
A PASS NIKKO ALL ARE inerary 3-day/2-night it Day 1
Asakusa Station
TOKYO SKYTREE Station
Tobu Railway Limited Express SPACIA
Tobu Railway Limited Express SPACIA
Shimo-imaichi Station Tobu Railway
Tobu Nikko Station is only 2 hours away from Asakusa Station by Limited Express SPACIA
Tobu Nikko Station
37 minutes by Tobu bus to Akechidaira bus stop. Akechidaira observatory is 5 minutes away by ropeway.
Akechidaira Observatory
5 minutes by Tobu bus to Chuzenji Onsen bus stop. Walk for 5 minutes.
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Panoramic Beauty
Fare: ¥1,250 (adults), ¥630 (children) Hours: 9am - 5pm Address: 2478-21 Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Stop for 2-3 hours
Senjogahara
6 minutes by Tobu bus from Akanuma bus stop to Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
Lake Chuzenji Boat Tour Lake Chuzenji, located in Nikko National Park, is a scenic wonder. To appreciate its full beauty, visitors are urged to take the 60-minute boat tour, which has different routes with spectacular views. The boat ride is relatively smooth so there is no need to worry about motion sickness.
A great place to have lunch
28 minutes by Tobu bus to Yutaki bus stop.
Photo Credit: Nkko Natural Science Museum
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Kegon Waterfall
Accommodation
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
More fun!
3 minutes by Tobu bus to Ryuzunotaki
Day 2 3
Stay at Nikko Astraea Hotel and take part in snow activities Stop for 40 minutes
Ryuzu Waterfall
Walk 10-15 minutes to Shobugahama boat tour station
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Lake Chuzenji boat ride
Get off at Lake Chuzenji Station
Take a stroll around Lake Chuzenji
Power Spot
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Get some souvenir and lunch
1 minute by Tobu bus from boat tour bus stop to Tachiki Kannon Entrance bus stop
Find Your Nirvana
Chuzenji Temple and Tachiki Kannon Statue
Chuzenji is a famous “power spot” affiliated with Rinnoji, one of Nikko’s most important temples. A standing statue of Kannon — called Tachiki Kannon in Japanese — is enshrined in the main hall. It is said that the founder of Chuzenji carved the statue out of a tree which is still rooted in the ground today.
Entrance fee: ¥500 (adults), ¥200 (elementary and middle school students) Hours: 8am - 5pm (April-August), 8am - 4pm (November and March), 8.30am - 3.30pm (December- February) Address: 2578 Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Natural Wild Springs
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel
Tucked in the secluded highlands, this hotel is a must visit for anyone seeking a piece of tranquility. All rooms feature an outdoor deck with an amazing view of natural beauty. Guests can also enjoy an exquisite view of Lake Chuzenji while dining at the hotel restaurant. The coffee house is only about four minutes away on foot and its curry rice recipe dates to the Taisho Period (1912-1926). Address: 2482 Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
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Tachiki Kannon
8 minutes by Tobu bus to Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel bus stop (take the taxi in winter)
Stop for 40 minutes
Accommodation
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel Day 3
45 minutes by Tobu bus to Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park bus stop The bus is a
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park Walk for 15 minutes
Stop for 1 hour
convenient and cheap way to visit world cultural heritage sites and Monzenmachi
Take a stroll at world cultural heritage sites Rinnoji Temple, Toshogu and Futarasan Shrine
Walk for 15 minutes
Take a stroll at Monzenmachi area Walk for 15 minutes
Lunch at Meiji-no-Yakata
Tobu Nikko Station Tobu Railway
Shimo-imaichi Station
Tobu Railway Limited Express SPACIA
TOKYO SKYTREE Station
Tobu Railway Limited Express SPACIA
Asakusa Station
Stay for one more night with Nikko All Area Pass
Awesome Side Trips from Tokyo
Oku-Nikko
Winter
Fantasy World in Oku-Nikko
Every winter, when heavy snow falls in Oku-Nikko, the town is transformed into a white wonderland. Extending before your eyes are snowcapped mountains, frozen lakes and crystal clear ice. Oku-Nikko, known for quality powdered snow and its relative proximity to Tokyo, attracts tens of thousands of skiers from abroad every year.
y Winter scener ira from Akechida observatory
Ryuzu Waterfall in winter
True Luxury
Outdoor Hot Springs
A trip to Nikko would not be complete without a dip in an open-air hot spring. The Nikko area is home to Ready, Set, Go! Kinugawa Onsen, Yunishigawa Onsen and Yumoto Onsen. Hot springs can be enjoyed throughout the year, but many Kotoku Farm, located next to the Nikko Astraea visitors say the Hotel, offers cross country skiing options for ski- best season is ers of all kinds, especially those who are interested winter, when in exploring snow-covered you can watch highlands and forests. The courses, ranging from the falling 1-10 kilometres, take you into the wilds of nature snow while by way of winding, less traveled paths. warming up in the bath.
Cross-country Skiing
odation Recommended Accomm
Ski Away
Nikko Yumoto Ski Resort On a clear day, you can catch a bird’s eye view of Lake Yunoko from the ski area. There are four courses, of which three are especially designed for beginners and less confident skiers. If you are traveling with small kids, they are sure to have a blast at the children’s play area.
Nikko Astraea Hotel
Surrounded by rich forest and the gorgeous landscape of Nikko National Park, this wellknown resort hotel offers an escape from the ordinary. An open-air hot spring, tasty cuisine and cross country skiing excursions are all included in the package.
Special Discount
Best Deal Ever!
Address: Kotoku Onsen, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture Website: www.nikkoastraea.com/en Show this magazine or a picture of this page to receive: 1. 10% discount for one-day lift ticket at Nikko Yumoto Ski Resort 2. 10% discount for onsen at Nikko Astraea Hotel and goods purchased at its gift shop
Tobu Railway offers three kinds of Nikko passes that you can choose based on your preferences. During the valid period, pass holders can get on and off Tobu Railway and Tobu bus lines as desired. Travel with Tobu for the best deal! Nikko All Area Pass Valid Section Taiyuin Futarasan jinja mae Yumoto Onsen Kotoku Onsen Chuzenji Onsen Rengeishi Hangetsusan
(bus service during Okuhosoo certain period)
Tachiki Kannon-mae
(bus service during certain period)
Nishisando Yashionoyu
Kinugawa Onsen
Kirifuri kougen
(Kirifuri Waterfall in winter)
Nikko Kirifuri Skating Center
(bus service only in winter)
Omote sando
Tobu Tobu Nikko Station Nikko JR Nikko Station
Tobu Bus Tobu Railway
Ozasa Bokujou
(no bus service in winter)
Shinfujiwara
Kinugawa-onsen Shimo-imaichi Tochigi TOKYO SKYTREE Asakusa
NIKKO ALL AREA PASS
● Fare: ¥4,520 (April-November) ¥4,150 (December-March)
●Tobu Railway Valid Section: Asakusaー Shimo-imaichi Station (one round trip ride), Shimo-imaichiーTobu Nikko / Kinugawa Onsen (Shinfujiwara) ●Valid Period: 4 Days
Theme Park Pass & Nikko City Area Pass ●Fare: Theme Park & Nikko City Area Pass ¥8,010 (Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square) Tobu World Square & Nikko City Area Pass ¥4,710 (Tobu World Square) Edo Wonderland & Nikko City Area Pass ¥6,610 (Edo Wonderland)
●Tobu Railway Valid Section: AsakusaーShimo-imaichi Station (one round trip ride), Shimo-imaichi ー Tobu Nikko / Kinugawa Onsen(Shinfujiwara)
Tobu Bus Valid Section: Kinugawa Onsen ー Tobu World Square ー Edo Wonderland, World Heritage Sightseeing Bus, JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station ー Rengeishi ●Admission: Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland (different admission prices) For more information, ●Valid Period: 2 Days
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| WAttention Malaysia
please visit the Tobu Railway website
NIKKO CITY AREA PASS ● Fare: ¥2,670
World Heritage Sightseeing Bus
●Tobu Railway Valid Section: Asakusaー Shimo-imaichi Station (one round trip ride) Shimo-imaichi ー Tobu Nikko / Kinugawa Onsen (Shinfujiwara) ●Tobu Bus Valid Section: JR Nikko Station / Tobu Nikko Station ー Rengeishi and World Heritage Sightseeing Bus ●Valid Period: 2 Days
More Fun! Tobu World Square
Edo Wonderland
Visit Kinugawa Onsen for more surprises!
Why not spend a night at Kinugawa Onsen and discover Japan through visits to theme parks in the area? Tobu World Square houses reproductions of worldfamous buildings and historical architecture on a 1/25 scale. Edo Wonderland, or Nikko Edomura in Japanese, is a history theme park reminiscent of the Edo Period (1603-1868) and offers visitors the chance to dress up in traditional Japanese kimonos. www.tobu.co.jp/foreign/en/sightseeing/nikko_kinugawa
Eye-opening Experience
Stroll around
Monzenmachi
There is much more to see in Nikko than shrines and temples. Absolutely worth a visit,鬼怒川 for example, is Monzenmachi, a 新藤原站 century-old temple town. Get a taste of local cuisine and a true sense of Nikko’s unique spirit! 2
Meiji-noYakata
Nikko Toshogu Shrine Futarasan Shrine
Hours: 11am - 7.30pm (Spring, summer and fall), 11.30am - 7.30pm (Winter) Address: 2339-1 Yamauchi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Rinnoji Temple
1 Toshogu Shrine
日光山區域 Mount Nikko area Rinnoji
Temple
Nikko Yuba Rolls at Zen
Tobu Nikko Station
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Tamozawa Imperial Villa
Admission: ¥510 (high school students, adults) ¥250 (middle and5elementary school students) 8 9am - 5pm (April-October, ticket counter Hours: closes at 4pm), 9am - 4.30pm (November-March, ticket counter closes at 4pm). Closed on Tuesdays and New Year’s Day. 9 Address: 8-27 Honcho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
Nikkobashi Bridge JR Nikko Station Kamibashi Bridge 3
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3 Beyond Taste Buds
History before Your Eyes
Built in 1899, this villa served as the summer residence of Emperor Taisho until 1925. In 2000, the beautifully restored mansion opened its doors to the public. With a 39,390 square metre garden and 106 guest rooms, the structure stands as the largest wooden architecture in Japan.
1 Travel Back in Time
This stone cottage, built by an American merchant trader during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), houses the Meiji-no-Yakata restaurant, which serves Western-style Japanese cuisine developed in the 19th century.
線 川 怒 鬼 武 東
Must-eats and dos
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下今市站
Kamibashi Bridge
Kinugawa Enlarged view of Ozasa Farm Zen specializes in Yumoto Onsen Onsen "Monzenmachi" creative dishes made Station Kirifuri using yuba, or tofu Highland Tobu 上今市站 東武 skin in Japanese. Yuba, World 日光 Edo Square rich in protein, low in 線 Wonderland cholesterol and mild Sanbonmatsu Kinugawa JR Mount Senjogahara in flavour, has been 日光站 Nikko Mount Nantai loved by Japanese people as a health food Kogen Nishisando Ryuzu Waterfall Waterfall for centuries. While you are here, try their 中禪寺湖 yuba dessert, which has a perfect balance of Chuzenji Daiichi Irohazaka Kinugawa 2 Tobu Nikko Station TobuRailway sweetness and softness. Lake Chuzenji Onsen
Hours: 10am - 10pm (April-November), 10am - 7pm (December-March) Closed on Tuesdays Address: 1007 Kamihatsuishimachi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Nikko Natural Science Museum Daini Irohazaka
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4 Too Cute to Eat
Monkey Ningyoyaki at Mishimaya Ningyoyaki is a traditional Japanese confectionery with sweet, red bean paste filling. Mishimaya sells their ningyoyaki in the shape of “the three wise monkeys,” which embodies the famous proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” To give the cake its fluffy, light texture, the shop only uses the best ingredients. Hours: 9am - 5pm Closed on Thursdays. Address: 440 Ishiyacho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
7 Japanese for a Day
Utakata Kimono Rental Change into an elegant kimono and take a stroll in the old neighborhood to get a taste of what it was like to live in medieval Japan. To give foreign travelers the memory of a lifetime, Utakata Kimono Rental offers a wide range of designs and sizes for men, women and children. Price: Basic plan ¥3,800 (excluding tax) Hours: 10am - 5.30pm Address: 918 Nakahatsuishicho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Akechidaira Ropeway
Tobu Nikko Railway
Tokyo
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9
5 Shimo-imaichi Station
Purr-fect
Nemuri-neko at Nikko Okaki Factory Nemuri-neko, or sleeping cat in Japanese, is a famous wood carving piece at Toshogu Shrine. This nemuri-neko tin comes with three different flavours of crispy, light rice crackers that will have you quickly coming back for more.
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W hich one is cuter? The real ko? nemu ri-ne
Hours: 8am - 6.30pm Closed on New Year’s Day Address: 914 Nakahatsuishicho, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Nikko Okaki Nemuri-neko
Brewed Goodness
Katayama Shuzo
Yokan at Mitsuyama This long-established confectionery shop insists on using natural spring water and top quality kanten, a jelly-like substance made from seaweed, to give their yokan a smooth and rich texture. Their yokan comes in different flavours and sizes and is a great souvenir to bring home from Nikko.
Hours: 9am - 5.30pm Address: 1989-1 Serinuma, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
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Dessert Time
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Perfect Summer Treat
Shougetsu Himuro
Soft water from 16 metres below ground, traditional distilling techniques and an original mix of yeast come together to give unrivaled flavour to the line of sakes produced at Katayama Brewery. Visitors can reserve a private tour and enjoy free tastings. This is an authentic cultural experience that you will not want to miss!
This mouthwatering shaved ice dessert is made of natural ice blocks formed during Nikko’s frozen winters. It is light, airy and melts instantly in the mouth, just like fresh snow. No wonder there is always a long line to get in!
Hours: 8am - 6pm Address: 146-2 Segawa, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
Hours: 8am - 8pm (hours change according to season). Shaved ice is served from11am - 6pm Address: 379 Imaichi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi Prefecture
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For more information about tourist attractions and food culture in West Japan, please visit:
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