Places:Shari-cho, Shari-gun / Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido

Shiretoko, a new natural heritage site registered only in July 2005, is considered to be the last pristine wilderness remaining in Japan. Shiretoko is a long narrow peninsula located in northeastern Hokkaido. The volcanic Shiretoko mountain range runs down the center of the peninsula and includes the highest peak of the range, Rausu-dake (1,661 m above sea level) and the active volcano Iouyama. The Sea of Okhotsk lies on the western side of the range and the Nemuro Straits on the eastern side. The coastline cliffs facing the Sea of Okhotsk rise up more than 100 m high, and you can glimpse waterfalls large and small cascading directly into the sea, and colonies of seabirds.

The salmon and trout that breed in the sea off Shiretoko are an important food resource supporting the terrestrial ecosystem with rare birds such as Blakiston’s fish owl, Steller’s sea eagle and the white-tailed sea eagle, as well as brown bears. The Shiretoko ecosystem is a dramatically clear example of the linkage between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and it is considered an important wildlife reserve, with unique features unlike any other in the world.

Shiretoko, blessed with mountains, lakes and an abundance of plants and animals, offers many places of interest throughout the seasons. A good example is the Shiretoko Goko or Shiretoko Five Lakes, situated on a lava plateau surrounded by old-growth forest. The five lakes don’t have individual names; they are referred to by number from Lake No. 1 to Lake No. 5. If you take a stroll along the walking trail (takes approximately 1 hour), you may see wild animals and will certainly enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.

In the fall, when the mountains are adorned in red and yellow, the hoards of salmon and trout swarming up river to spawn are an incredible sight. In winter, there is also beautiful scenery as the drifting ice changes the Sea of Okhotsk into a white snowfield. There are various nature experience programs available at the site such as night tours for animal watching under wonderful starlit skies, daytime treks for alpine plant spotting while surrounded by birds singing, or nature watching enjoying waterfalls and wild animals while walking along the trail. It is highly recommended to contact Shiretoko Nature Center before departing.

Information by http://www.jnto.go.jp

Much of Naoshima’s art was installed by the Benesse Corporation, which oversees art museums, installations, and sculpture throughout the island. Benesse’s museums were designed by the well known Japanese architect, Ando Tadao, and include all the buildings of the Benesse House and Chichu Art Museum. In addition, Naoshima’s municipal buildings and schools were designed by the modern architect, Ishii Kazuhiro.

Benesse House – Museum

The Benesse House is a modern art museum/resort hotel in southern Naoshima. The complex is the centerpiece of the Benesse Corporation’s art facilities on the island and consists of four buildings: Museum, Oval, Park and Beach, designed by the architect, Ando Tadao. Each building has its own unique artwork and guest rooms where visitors can stay.

The main attraction of the Benesse House is its modern art museum located on a hill overlooking the sea. This museum displays work created by many different artists, from both Japan and abroad, that was inspired by the natural surroundings of Naoshima and the architecture on the island.

Naoshima’s iconic Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama, a symbol of the island

In addition to the art displayed in the museum and guest rooms, there are nearly twenty art pieces located throughout the lawns and beaches around the Benesse House. Many of these can be found along the shore and cliffs below the museum, and have been specifically designed to integrate into the natural surroundings in which they are placed.

The Benesse House has other facilities including restaurants, cafes, shops and a spa that are open to guests as well as day visitors. Hotel guests have the added privileges of exclusive restaurants and after hours access to the museum. The Benesse House is the top level accomodation on the island, and rooms start at around 27,000 yen per night.

Cultural Melting Bath by Cai Guo Qiang

Beaches beside the Benesse House

How to get there

How to get to and around Naoshima

Buses operate between Miyanoura and the Benesse House. The trip takes 20 minutes, costs 100 yen, and there is one bus per hour. There is free shuttle bus transportation available for Benesse House guests. Alternatively, it is about a 3 km walk from Miyanoura Port which takes about 45 minutes.

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

The Matsudaira Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, controlled Takamatsu’s former castle town and surrounding area, then known as the Sanuki Province, during most of the Edo Period.

Today, Takamatsu’s attractions include Ritsurin Koen, arguably one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens; Shikoku Mura, an open air museum; and Yashima, a mountain battle site during the Gempei War. Nearby Kotohira can also be visited in an easy side trip from Takamatsu.

Takamatsu Castle, also known as Tamamo Castle, was built in 1590 adjacent to the Seto Inland Sea. It is one of the few Japanese castles built along a waterfront, and features saltwater moats that draw directly from the sea. The Ikoma Clan ruled from the castle for 54 years before their fief was given to the Matsudaira Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, who kept the region for the remainder of the Edo Period.

Takamatsu Castle’s keep was destroyed during the Meiji Period, but is currently being reconstructed. Archaeological excavation began in 2006 and construction of the five story castle tower is scheduled to begin in 2010. It will be opened to the public when finished.

Castle Tower Foundation in 2003

Castle Tower during current excavation

Few of the castle’s original buildings remain in the castle park today. Besides moats and walls, only the Asahimon Gate and two turrets, the Ushitora Yagura and the Tsukimi Yagura, are still standing. Inside the castle walls, visitors can enjoy well kept gardens.

At the center of the castle park is the Hiunkaku building with large tatami rooms. Constructed in 1917 as a residence and governmental office, it is used today as an exhibition space and a community hall where tea ceremony and flower arrangement classes are held.

Hiunkaku

Tsukimi Yagura “Moon Viewing” Turret

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

Among the exhibited buildings, which mainly date from the Edo and Meiji Periods, are a number of farmhouses and storehouses, as well as various traditional workshops that produced goods such as sugar and soya sauce.

Kabuki Theater

Sugar cane press

Other structures exhibited include bridges, a lighthouse and a kabuki theater which occasionally hosts performances. One of the most popular attractions is a vine suspension bridge, made similarly to the ones found in the Iya Valley (Tokushima Prefecture) out of vine and wood (and reinforced by steel cables).

Shikoku Mura also has a small art gallery showing paintings and sculpture by modern artists from around the world. The gallery has a nice view over the surrounding city and occasionally holds live performances and special events.

Sugar processing buildings in the park
How to get there
Shikoku Mura is at the base of Yashima, and can be reached from Takamatsu Station by either Kotoden or JR trains: By Kotoden: take a train from Takamatsu-Chikko Station to Kawaramachi Station (4 minutes, frequent departures) and transfer to the Shido Line. Get off at Kotoden Yashima Station (13 minutes, 3 trains/hour). The entire trip takes about 20 minutes and costs 310 yen. From the station, it is a five minute walk to Shikoku Mura.

By JR: take a local train from JR Takamatsu Station in direction of Tokushima to Yashima Station (15 minutes, 210 yen, 2 trains/hour). From the station, it is a 15 minutes to walk to Shikoku Mura.

How to get to and around Takamatsu

Hours and Fees
Hours: 8:30 to 17:30 (until 18:00 from April to October)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 800 yen (1000 yen combined ticket including entrance to the gallery)

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

Around the flat summit are some attractions related to the mountain’s history as a battleground, including a Monument to the Battle of Yashima and Chinoike (”blood pond”), a pond which is said to have turned red with blood after the victorious Minamoto washed their swords in it.

Yashima offers great views of Takamatsu and of the Seto Inland Sea. Near the many viewpoints around the mountaintop are shops where you can buy small clay discs, which are thrown off the mountain for luck. This is meant to symbolize the victorious Minamoto warriors throwing off their headpieces after defeating the Taira.

Clay discs are thrown from the mountain for good luck

Near the summit’s parking area is Yashima Temple, the 84th of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. In addition to a number of buildings, each seemingly of a different era, the temple also has a modern museum which displays artifacts from Yashima’s history.

About a five minute walk around the summit from Yashima Temple is the New Yashima Aquarium which features dolphin and seal shows. Note however, that it is a fairly small and somewhat neglected aquarium.

At the base of Yashima lies Shikoku Mura, an open air museum exhibiting traditional farmhouses, storehouses, bridges, and other structures from all over Shikoku Island.

New Yashima Aquarium

Yashima Temple
How to get there
The attractions on Yashima are located within walking distance of each other around the mountain’s flat summit. Yashima can be reached from the Takamatsu city center by either Kotoden or JR trains:By Kotoden: take a train from Takamatsu-Chikko Station to Kawaramachi Station (4 minutes, frequent departures) and transfer to the Shido Line. Get off at Kotoden Yashima Station (13 minutes, 3 trains/hour). The entire trip takes about 20 minutes and costs 310 yen. From the station, the Yashima Sanjo Shuttle bus runs once per hour to the summit (10 minutes, 100 yen).

By JR: take a local train from JR Takamatsu Station in direction of Tokushima to Yashima Station (15 minutes, 210 yen, 2 trains/hour). From the station the Yashima Sanjo Shuttle bus runs once per hour to the summit (20 minutes, 100 yen).

If you access Yashima by car, note that the road from Shikoku Mura to the top of the mountain is a toll road (Yashima Driveway). The cost for a passenger cars is 610 yen.

There used to be a cable car serving the mountain, however, it discontinued service in 2004.

Hours and Fees
Yashima Temple Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: Temple Grounds: Free
Temple Museum: 500 yen
New Yashima Aquarium
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 1200 yen

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

Takamatsu Port used to be the main entry point to Shikoku until the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge in 1988. Today, the port continues to offer ferry connections to Kobe and some nearby islands, including Shodoshima and Naoshima.

Symbol Tower on the left

Takamatsu Harbor area at night

Since the dramatic drop of car ferry traffic in 1988, the area around the port has been redeveloped with a pleasant waterfront promenade and a large pedestrian plaza, flanked by JR Takamatsu Station, ANA Hotel Clement and the Symbol Tower.

The tallest building of Sunport Takamatsu, the Symbol Tower is a 30 story office building with a shopping center on its lower floors and an observation deck and several fine dining options on its top floors, including two restaurants by former Iron Chefs from the popular TV cooking show of the same name.

View over Takamatsu from the Symbol Tower with Yashima in the distance
How to get there
Sunport Takamatsu is just outside of JR Takamatsu Station and is across the street from Takamatsu Castle. It is also served by Kotoden Takamatsu-Chikko Station.

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

The northern end of the shopping arcade near Takamatsu Castle and Mitsukoshi Department Store has recently been redeveloped into a large plaza and shopping center with upscale stores like Louis Vuitton and Coach. Lion Dori, a branch street running parallel to the main shopping street, contains mostly restaurants including those serving Sanuki Udon.

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

Sanuki Udon is characterized by its firm, chewy texture, achieved by using a specific type of wheat which was traditionally grown in Kagawa Prefecture. These days, the wheat to make Sanuki Udon is primarily imported from Australia.

The texture of Sanuki Udon’s noodles is what makes them unique. They can be served as other udon noodles, for example, served cold with a dipping sauce or in a hot broth with toppings. Sanuki Udon is considered cheap, fast and healthy food with basic dishes costing only a few hundred yen.

Udon remains extremely popular in Kagawa Prefecture. With over 700 Sanuki Udon restaurants across the prefecture, a fair number can be found in the shopping and dining districts of Takamatsu.

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

Built in Kotohira in 1835, Kanamaruza Theater is Japan’s oldest surviving, complete kabuki playhouse. From time to time, it still stages kabuki performances.

When no shows are held, the theater is open to visitors who can explore Kanamaruza’s audience hall, stage, and dressing rooms. Be sure to check out the basement to see the workings of the human powered rotating stage and trapdoors used by actors to dramatically enter and exit performances.

Uchiko-za, a similar historical kabuki theater, can be found in Uchiko in nearby Ehime Prefecture.

Audience area of Kanamaruza

Beneath the rotating stage
How to get there
Kanamaruza Theater is located about a 10 to 15 minute walk from JR Kotohira and Kotoden Kotohira Stations, and about 200 meters off the approach to Kompirasan Shrine.How to get to and around Kotohira

Hours and Fees
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Irregularly for performances and maintenance
Admission: 500 yen
English: None

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com

Kompirasan, formally known as Kotohiragu, is the main shrine of multiple Kompira shrines found around Japan that are dedicated to sailors and seafaring. Located on the wooded slope of Mount Zozu inKotohira, the approach to Kompirasan is an arduous series of 1,368 stone steps.

Over many centuries, Kompirasan had been revered as a mixture between Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple, until it was officially declared a shrine in the beginning of the Meiji Period during government efforts to separate the two religions. Nevertheless, the former symbiosis is still visible in Kompirasan’s architecture which displays both Shinto and Buddhist elements.
The path to Kompirasan Stairs approaching Kompirasan’s inner shrine

Despite being one of the most difficult shrine approaches in Japan, Kompirasan is a highly popular site visited by pilgrims from across the country. The approach begins amongst a touristy shopping arcade filled with souvenir shops and Sanuki Udon restaurants, from where it is a 785 step climb (about 45 minutes) past a number of auxiliary shrine buildings and museums to the main hall of the shrine.

Next to the main hall is a viewpoint overlooking Kotohira Town, and the Ema Hall which displays plates and pictures of ships, battleships and even space rockets whose crews sought the protection of the shrine. Interestingly, a real mini submarine is also on display.

Most visitors only make it up to the main hall; however, for the adventurous it is an additional 583 steps (an additional 45 minutes) along a paved, forested path to the inner shrine (Okusha) of the complex. Those unable (or unwilling) to make the climb, can hire a palanquin (5300 yen one way or 6500 yen round trip) up to the main hall or take a bus (see details below).

Information by http://www.japan-guide.com