Wandering Around Wonderful Shikoku - Tokushima

Shikoku - Tokushima
One of my first unplanned trip which went awesome.

Tokushima is part of Shikoku which means 4 provinces which includes Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi and Tokushima. 

The place where the beauty of Mountains, Ever ending Oceans, Calm and quite country sides. Friendly Japanese people we will be the odd man out of the crowded as foreigners. The most famous thing about Shikoku is 88 pilgrimages for honoring the monk Kukai. One can see many people dressing as a Henro and walking in the streets. 

Japan is the place where I have experienced people treat others utmost courtesy here it is too overwhelming. I thank my ever loving friend who planned everything in such a great way. I am sure you will fall in love with Shikoku easily, the place which holds the beauty.

Tairyuji Temple: No.21 Buddhist Temple

It is one among the 88 temples of pilgrimages, located in near the Mt Summit of Tairyuji. Cable car runs from the bottom to the summit cost around 2400 Yen, if you are foreigner you will get 50% discount and it runs every 20 mins. It is translated as Great Dragon Temple

The calm atmosphere and sky-piercing pine trees forms a thick canopy. During our trip it was little drizzling, windy and fog just kissing our cheeks was so amazing. 

The aroma of the forest is still in my mind. From cable car station to all the temples you have to climb steps or via pathway. Some places it is recommended to use steps instead of the pathway.

The Ropeway is considered to be one of the longest ropeway in western Japan, base of the ropeway area runs the beautiful Naka River. When the water flow is high you can enjoy kayaking, rafting etc.

Teba Island:

It is Small Island located 3 KM away from Mugi port and only mode of transport to this island is ferry or your own boat. Fishing is main business for people who stay here. Mugi Tebajima Art exhibition is popular here and many people travel during this period.

Only 70 people living here and population is decreasing due to aging people. If you have solid 4 hours you can cover the whole island. During good weather you can see nearby prefectures too, it was raining during my trip.

Visiting villages makes me so happy and relax than roaming in the streets of the city in that way I love Teba Island. People don’t use motor vehicles here instead they use bicycle or travel by foot. 

There is a small shop where you can buy some food and local drinks, there was a vending machine in ferry terminal

Mt. Tsurugi:

This is one of the 100 popular mountains in japan and second tallest mountain in Shikoku. As the name translates Sword Mountain it is so narrow and deep. The beautiful Iya valley lies there in the middle. During my trip was thinking should I explore Iya Valley or Scarecrow Village, after a big discussion with my friends finally decided to go to the village. There was a big surprise awaiting for us.

Our Journey started and we are so excited that we will reach our destination in 30 mins by believing the phone number can help us reach the village instead we went to information center which was far away from our destination. Rerouted our journey determined to explore the scarecrow village. Bundle of surprise awaits in our way, Iya valley name board flashed just in front. I was super excited to explore the unplanned destination that’s how the day started

Oku-Iya No Kazurabashi:

Once Iya valley was boosted with 13 vine bridges now only 3 left, I am lucky enough to explore this one. Half beaten path I would say not much tourist since it was deep inside the mountain. 

The bridges are named as Husband Bridge which is 44 meters and Wife Bridge which is 22 meters.
Walking in this vine bridge was little scary because of suspension and there was whole everywhere. 

Recommended time is autumn but still you should travel in your own vehicle will be hassle free

Nagoro Scarecrow village:

When we talk about Scarecrow village first thing comes to my mind is the lady behind all these popularity Ayano Tsukimi San, she made her remote village to popular tourist destination. Population in this village is only 30 people living. Depopulating village is getting more meaning now.

The doll count is 10 times higher than people, she started making doll like her father to scare the birds which was disturbing her in her farming activity

For the past 16 years she started making more and more dolls resembles like famous personalities and village people and who died in that village, to remember all and make the village vibrant she decorated the whole village with dolls.
Check out here Nagoro Scarecrow Village

Dolls in this village resembles like people and in dusk if you are there, you can’t differentiate people or doll sitting there.

Naruto Whirlpool: (Uzu no Michi)

It was window clear water in the Naruto strait, Whirlpools formed both big and small, always you can check out the timing of whirlpool and book your ticket for the boat in advance. Via Awaji Island the bridge connects both Honshu and Shikoku.

These whirlpools are happening due to change of tides and you can experience twice a day during this tide change.If you want to enjoy the Whirlpool from top you should take wonder Naruto boat. The other tourists also as excited as me.

You can walk on the Onaruto Bridge and see whirlpool from the top via glass floor, it is located 45 mts above the sea. One can also enjoy walking trials, viewpoints etc.

Click here to have a look of Whirlpool: Naruto Whirlpool

The interesting thing about this Whirlpool and Mt.Fuji is connected via 36 views of Fuji, one of the famous wooden block print image

Popular Food:

Tokushima Ramen is popular here. It can easily identified by its color of the soup and smoothness of the noodle served with broth. Got recognition from the year1999

Sudachi:

Famous food flavoring citrus food, here is famous doll resembles like the fruit , people call it as Sudhachi Kun

Awa Rice Juice:

Hope you Enjoyed My Blog! Thanks for your Time.
Cheers!!!

Places to See in Tokyo

I hope this blog will be really helpful for many of those who are new to Japan or willing to Travel around Japan. In this Blog I am going to share more information about Japan`s Capital Tokyo and Kanto areas

Asakusa Sensoji Temple:

It is also known as Kannon temple. One of the most crowded temple in Tokyo and packed with Tourists. One of the oldest temple and dedicated for Kannon which is Bodhisattva (Buddha) in the year of 645 AD. The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. 

Enter through Kaminari-Mon(Gate Name), you can find lot of shops on both sides of the pathway for 200 meters. Adjacent to the main temple you can find five story pagoda tower which is Asakusa Shrine.

Tokyo SkyTree：

It is a broadcasting tower and landmark for Tokyo. World`s tallest tower with the height of 634 meters, Tokyo SkyTree was one of the attractions where you can have Panoramic view of Tokyo. It consists of 450 floors. Below you can find lot of shops and restaurants

Tokyo Tower:

This is also an observation deck in Tokyo, The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower with the height of 333 mts. If visibility is good you can see SkyTree and Mt.Fuji from this tower.I thank my well wisher Krishna Mohan San for sharing pictures and your time 

Odaiba:

It is an artificial island located in Tokyo Bay. If you want to have Fun, shopping, Restaurants, Bay view with Seaside fun this is the best place to go. Many will be impressed by the monorail runs without Driver. One can reach here from Asakusa by boat way. Museums, Malls, Venice themed Venus Port etc. all at one place you can enjoy. If you want a relax timing you need to plan for a day trip. Rainbow Bridge is always very famous and night view will be fantastic.

Symbol Promenade Park:

To commemorate The Year of France in Japan, the French Statue of Liberty (1889) was brought from the Ile des Cygnes in Paris, France and installed in Odaiba Beach Park from April 1998 to January 1999, with a replica of the statue standing there now, which has proven to be just as popular.

Mori Arts Museum – Teams lab Tokyo:

The museum is a large-scale 3D space composed of five worlds: Borderless World, team Lab Athletics Forest, Future Park, Future of Lamps, and EN Tea House.

Apart from all of these, there is LEGOLAND Discovery for kids

Kamakura:

It is a Temple town like Mini Kyoto near Tokyo

Great Buddha of Kamakura, second tallest Buddha statue in Japan with height of 11.4 meters. Amida Buddha is made of bronze. It was originally built inside the hall, during typhoon in 14th century it was destroyed.Cherry blossom is popular here.

You can enter inside the Buddha statue.Pair of Zori sandals made to fit the feet of Buddha, offering such things to god is for the safe travel

Umi-Hotaru Island:

Its manmade island around 650m, more like parking area surrounded by the sea. It has a small shopping mall. This is located in Kisarazu Chiba Highways. The specialty of this place is, to reach here we need to use Tunnel which is built inside the sea. From the observation deck you can have beautiful view of Tokyo bay. 

 It is also called Tokyo Bay Aqua line which connects Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture to Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture

Mt.Fuji Trip:

It is a Symbol of Japan, one of highest Volcanic Mountain about 3776 Meter Height. Second highest peak in Asia. Climbing Mt.Fuji is very popular not only Japanese but also foreign tourists. It is open for the hikers from July to end of August. Tourists can go till 5th station and enjoy the view from there. you can do a day Trip from Tokyo.

Here is my hiking Experience of Mt.Fuji Click Here to view My Experience

Mt.Hakone:

You can have beautiful view of Mt.Fuji, scenic place with mountains, museum and hot spring etc.one must see here is owakudhani this is the place where you can see or experience a live volcanic activity. Most of the time you can see smoke comes out of the mountain.

You can get Black egg which is boiled in 80 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes in natural spring water. 

Then steamed at 100 degrees for 15 minutes in steel baskets, the water that they are boiled in contains sulfur and Iron. The black eggs or commonly called "Kuro-Tamago" by the locals are perfectly safe

Hope You enjoyed my Blog! Thanks for your Time and Support.
Cheers!!!