{"id":17583,"date":"2017-12-12T12:28:31","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T12:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=17583"},"modified":"2017-12-12T12:53:03","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T12:53:03","slug":"a-week-in-shikoku","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/12\/a-week-in-shikoku\/","title":{"rendered":"A week in Shikoku: Dancing, daydreaming and drinking games in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p><strong>On Claire\u2019s recent trip to Japan, she spent a week taking in the highlights of the little-visited island of Shikoku. Shikoku is the smallest of Japan\u2019s main islands and is often missed off itineraries, but it&#8217;s blessed with some of the best scenery and food Japan has to offer.<\/strong><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>A geisha downing a pint of Asahi? It wasn\u2019t quite what I imagined on my trip to Japan\u2026 Shikoku turned out to be full of surprises.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17587 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"667\" height=\"889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1.jpg 667w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/1-510x680.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When I found out I would be spending a week exploring Shikoku on my trip to Japan, I was delighted. Shikoku is known as one of Japan\u2019s more \u2018off the beaten track\u2019 islands. As much as I love bright lights and big cities, having spent the largest proportion of my life pounding the Malvern Hills, and another substantial chunk in the Yorkshire Dales, I am a self-confessed outdoors, walking and hiking geek (yes, I did study geography!)<\/p>\n<p>My knowledge of Shikoku was pretty limited before I travelled there; I knew that it&#8217;s smallest of Japan\u2019s main islands and that famous for the 88 Temple Pilgrimage &#8211; hence my initial enthusiasm as a keen walker. Other fun facts that I discovered through preliminary research was firstly, the food is GREAT and secondly, that Shikoku has developed a reputation as Japan\u2019s most laid-back island. Something I now wholeheartedly concur with, largely thanks to the above geisha encounter\u2026 but more on that later.<\/p>\n<h2>Shikoku &#8211; Getting there<\/h2>\n<p>There are a few things that I don\u2019t agree with though, such as the claim that Shikoku is remote and hard to get to. That\u2019s not the case at all \u2013 especially with the speed and efficiency of the <em>shinkansen<\/em>\u00a0(bullet train) to travel the bulk of the journey. I left Tokyo at a leisurely 9.30am, was in Okayama by lunchtime and had whizzed across the Seto Inland Sea to Takamatsu on the connecting Rapid Marine Liner service in just one hour*. If you\u2019ve got a week (preferably two) in Japan to play with, it\u2019s certainly achievable to add a few days in Shikoku to your holiday itinerary.<\/p>\n<h2>Shikoku adventures<\/h2>\n<p>Whilst my week in Shikoku didn\u2019t go quite to plan (let\u2019s just say, if anyone wants any tips about the Japanese A&amp;E system, I\u2019m your woman!), I quickly fell head over heels in love with this little island. Granted, there were a few lows\u2026 the Naruto Whirlpools were decidedly underwhelming from above and the much anticipated glass-bottom boat trip left me feeling like I\u2019d just stepped out of a washing machine.<\/p>\n<p>But the thing that instantly struck me was just how much there was to see and do in a relatively small area, and how achievable it is to get a real feel for the entire island in just one week. Whatever your interests &#8211; beaches and boat trips, thrills and spills, shopping, gardens, walking and hiking, authentic Japanese culture \u2013 Shikoku really does have something for everyone.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17589 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-720x691.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-720x691.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-300x288.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-768x737.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-1024x982.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-564x541.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-900x863.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-390x374.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-780x748.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2-510x489.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/2.jpg 1057w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As a first-timer to Japan, one of the highlights for me was seeing an Awa Odori dance performance in Tokushima. Sadly, I was there at the wrong time of the year to experience the full works (the Awa Odori Dance Festival is held in August), but for anyone travelling out of season, a local troupe perform at Tokushima dance hall every night.<\/p>\n<p>After a quick opening performance, a couple of the dancers talk the audience through the steps and musical accompaniments. (Granted, this is in Japanese, but with the demonstration, you get the gist!) After everyone\u2019s had a chance to get the hang of it, there\u2019s a call for a bit of audience participation before the grand finale.<\/p>\n<h2>Ritsurin-koen<\/h2>\n<p>Another must-see in Shikoku is Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu \u2013 easily one of the best landscape gardens in the whole of Japan. Fuelled by a hearty breakfast of rice porridge in the garden cafe, I whiled away several happy hours wandering around this tranquil space. I was even lucky enough to chance upon a happy couple taking part in a photoshoot in the garden.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17592 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3.jpg 1242w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>(<strong>Note:<\/strong> The gardens are located a little distance away from town, so if you\u2019re arriving at Takamatsu station, it\u2019s probably easiest to catch a bus; it will take you to Ritsurin-koen in just under 15 minutes. Alternatively, if you\u2019d prefer to stretch your legs after the train journey, you can walk straight down Chuo Dori; this also gives you a great excuse to stop off at one of Japan\u2019s longest covered shopping arcades en-route).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17593 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/4.jpg 1232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Hamacho<\/h2>\n<p>Whilst in Kochi, I was lucky enough to be treated to a meal at Hamacho \u2013 a <em>ryotei<\/em> (traditional high-end restaurant) which has established a name for itself offering traditional geisha entertainment whilst you dine. This stands out as one of the most unique experiences of the entire trip. Being quite a classy establishment, it came as little surprise to me that the food was a culinary work of art \u2013 check out the presentation of the seared bonito in the photograph &#8211; and the service was first-class.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17596 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-720x960.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/5.jpg 741w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Geisha<\/h2>\n<p>But somehow, this all seemed secondary to the entertainment that was to follow. Soon after arrival, a geisha came around to introduce herself to all the diners. Halfway through the meal we were invited to gather around a central stage to watch a traditional dance performance. To my surprise, the mood completely changed and diners were pulled up onto the stage at random, presented with a hooded mask and invited to engage in a completely bizarre energetic dance with the geisha.<\/p>\n<p>Having long considered geisha to be quietly reserved, I was slightly taken aback! It turned out that that was only the start \u2013 once everyone had finished eating, our geisha friend initiated some drinking games, Shikoku style. As I learnt later, this style of drinking game has a name \u2013 <em>Bekuhai<\/em> \u2013 and features special sake cups with cunningly designed features (and cunningly disguised holes) to encourage you to drink more.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17599 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-720x960.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/6.jpg 838w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Iya Valley<\/h2>\n<p>After the excitement of Kochi, I headed into the heart of Shikoku to get in touch with my spiritual side. It didn\u2019t take much for me to be sold on the Iya Valley. Standing amongst the greenery, listening to the sound of flowing white water and breathing in the fresh mountain air, it was easy to see why Shikoku has a reputation as a remote hideaway.<\/p>\n<p>Just when I thought it couldn\u2019t get any better, I stopped at the Iya Onsen. Walking through a nondescript hotel lobby and waiting for a \u2018cable car\u2019 that, for all sense and purposes, looked like a garden shed. I was initially sceptical, but when I stepped out at the top I was greeted by the most magical elevated garden and secluded <em>onsen<\/em> that I\u2019d ever seen. I\u2019m trying my best not to lapse into marketing clich\u00e9s here, but with panoramic views over the Iya Valley, sunshine dancing on the water and not another soul in sight, the only word to describe it is idyllic. To put it another way, this was somewhere I might (might) actually consider taking my clothes off\u2026 and that\u2019s saying something!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-17602 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-720x960.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Matsuyama and a noodle taxi<\/h2>\n<p>I rounded off my trip with a brief visit to Matsuyama to check out the famous Dogo Onsen (lovely) and castle. My final night was spent at Konpira Spa &#8211; a beautiful high-end <em>ryokan<\/em> hotel in the town of Kotohira, home of the Kotohira-gu Shinto shrine.<\/p>\n<p>At the risk of sounding terribly uncultured, as wonderful as the shrine was, the highlight of my stay in Kotohira was definitely spotting the udon noodle taxi driving past the hotel one evening; easily identifiable by the plastic bowl of noodles on the roof. Sadly it sped off too quickly for me to snap a picture, but having been slightly disbelieving when I was told about the noodle taxi earlier in the week, I was delighted to have seen it with my own eyes. Owing to the language barrier (either that or just sheer stupidity on my part), I\u2019d completely misunderstood the concept at first &#8211; wondering how one cooks noodles in a taxi. Turns out that udon is so universally loved, a dedicated taxi transports hungry passengers to the best noodle restaurants in town.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve said it before and I\u2019ll say it again\u2026. only in Japan!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>See some of Claire\u2019s favourite spots on our <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/IJT-HiddenJapan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hidden Japan<\/a> small group tour or our <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/SecretsofShikoku\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Secrets of Shikoku<\/a> self-guided adventure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F17583\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! On Claire\u2019s recent trip to Japan, she spent a week taking in the highlights of the little-visited island of Shikoku. Shikoku is the smallest of Japan\u2019s main islands and is often missed off itineraries, but it&#8217;s blessed with some of the best scenery and food Japan has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2355,2366,2362,2360],"tags":[2078,3487,3490,3493],"class_list":["post-17583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-first-trip-to-japan","category-japanese-food-and-drink","category-places-and-where-to-stay-in-japan","category-travellers-tales-from-japan","tag-shikoku","tag-food-in-shikoku","tag-geisha-in-shikoku","tag-week-in-shikoku"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/92"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17583"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17610,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17583\/revisions\/17610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}