#Travel ♪ Japan Road Trip to Shikoku w/ NISSAN Rent-a-Car NOTE e-POWER ~ Go around 4 prefectures in Shikoku (Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, Tokushima)

#Travel ♪ Japan Road Trip to Shikoku  w/ NISSAN Rent-a-Car NOTE e-POWER  ~ Go around 4 prefectures in Shikoku (Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, Tokushima)

When you think of the Shikoku (四国) region of Japan, 

what do you imagine?

In Japan, it's popular for udon and Dogo Onsen （道後温泉) which inspired the bathhouse in Spirited Away.

Shikoku is the smallest island of Japan's four major islands.

Actually there are a lot of great spots in Shikoku, 

but it seems there are not much information in foreign languages on the net.

Here we would like to share with you our road trip to Shikoku for your reference.

Let's go!!!

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By the way, 

we have first arrived to the entrance to Shikoku

at Matsuyama Airport (松山空港).

(Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture)

We would start our trip here by renting Nissan car.

***

HERE WE ARE!!!

Matsuyama Airport(松山空港)

Speaking of Shikoku, 

it has a 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage route popular in worldwide. 

It is said that it requires 40 days to walk through the whole ways 

or 10 days by train though.

Basically, there is no requirements on clothing for the tour.

Many people would like to get something specific in the neighborhood's stores.

Roughly white clothes, hats and trekking pole.

When you see people in this outfit, 

feel free to send your encouraging message to them!

By the way, 

we find something interesting in the airport!

Changing room for people getting changed into the trekking outfit!

Okay!

Let's getting ready to rent a car to start our journey! 

Yes!!! We are ready to have Nissan Rental Car to conquer our trip to Shikoku. 

Confirm the reservation info here

then, the staffs will bring us to pick up the car!

Just 3-min ride of free shuttle!

>>Procedure of renting a car<<

Nissan Rental Car  

Matsuyama Store

OPEN HOUR: 8:00-20:00

Show your reservation receipt and your passport, 

of course your certified driver I.D./license , 

fill out the required form.

That's it!

*Check-list before renting a car*

1. Passport 

2. International driver license

3. Car type you requested

4. Rental of Highway ETC card 

(CLICK for details)

* Rent without reservation 

* See the car your wanted is available 

* Cash and credit cards area available

>> Click for detail: Nissan Rent-a-car (English)

>> Nissan NOTE e-POWER<<

Neat and sleek

suitable for trip of ladies!

Large capacity, large space, as well as reversing navigation.

It has a very large storage space and spacious seats,

suitable for travel with family or large group!

It is also equipped with reversing navigating function.

Much more easy to control for more people then!

****

Let's go!! 

Road trip to Shikoku!!!

A. Naruto Strait (鳴門海峽) 

B. Oboke Koboke (大歩危小步危)・Manneken-Pis (小便小僧 )

C. Hirome Market (弘人市場) 

D. Shimanto River (四万十川)

E. Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉)

🚗Kagawa Prefecture (香川県)

Yamagoe Udon （山越うどん）

Nakano Udon Noodle Restaurant Takamatsu School (中野うどん学校 高松校)

🚗Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県)

Naruto Strait (鳴門海峽) 

Oboke Gorge Koboke Gorge (大歩危小步危)

・Oboke Kyo Mannaka  (大歩危峡まんなか) 

Iya (祖谷)

🚗Kochi Prefecture （高知県）

Hirome Market (弘人市場)

Shimanto River (四万十川)

🚗Ehime Prefecture（愛媛県）

Shimonada Station（下灘駅）

Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉)

Nishiseto Expressway （西瀬戸自動車道）

***

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🚗Kagawa Prefecture (香川県)

Kagawa Prefecture is known as the prefecture of largest production of Udon,

no matter of the number of Udon Shop or the consumption of udon.

No doubt we can't miss "Udon" in our trip!

>>Yamagoe Udon （山越うどん)<<

A udon shop first opened in 1914.

Although it is a small and simple shop, 

it is pretty famous and has long queue always.

More than 1000 visitors a day!

Soy sauce based udon in a kettle topping with a raw egg

It is said that

it is the first shop for udon in a kettle.

It is an idea originally from the visitors. 

It has become its popular menu after seeing people eating it deliciously. 

If you are familiar with raw egg, 

you'd better try it!

If you like comics, 

you can check out the comics story written by the owners on the official page (JAPANESE)

★ Yamagoe Udon （山越うどん)

602-2 Hayukakami, Ayagawa-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa, 761-2207

Map code: 228786652*67

Google Map

Closed: Every Sunday

Official FB

Official Homepage

>>Nakano Udon Noodle Restaurant Takamatsu School (中野うどん学校 高松校) <<

Here you can learn and experience making udon and 

taste it right away.

Do you like animation detective Conan?

The scene of the instructor teaching udon-making would reproduce here!

The staffs there are pretty interesting!

They keep singing, and dancing while making udon!!!

Connan's fans! 

Don't wanna miss huh!

There you are!!

"My Udon" 

The original package of udon is done!!!

How cute is it!

Yes!

As this is named Udon School,

after learning the technique and skills of making delicious udon, 

we definitely are qualified to receive the certification 

and have a memorial "graduation" shot!

Say Cheese!!! 

★ Nakano Udon Noodle Restaurant Takamatsu School (中野うどん学校 高松校) 

8 Nariaicho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-8081

087-885-3200

Map code: 60451078*51

Open Hour：09：00〜17：00

Open all year round

Reservation is required.

Workshop time: 40〜50 minutes

Workshop+tasting+Shopping：About 90 minutes

Official FB

Official Homepage

Reservation Page

Google Map

↓↓↓

🚗Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県)

Tokushima is famous for agriculture.

It is said that the crops sold in the Kansai area are almost produced here!

Of course, 

we are here to show you several attractions!

>>Naruto Strait (鳴門海峽) <<

Naruto Strait is a strait between Awaji Island and Shikoku. 

The bridge across is called Onaruto Bridge （大鳴門橋)

1629 meters long connecting Hyogo prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture.

What a nice photo spot!!!

By the way it is selected as one of the Hundred beautiful spots in Japan! (日本百景)

Especially  a famous feature of the strait is the Naruto whirlpools. 

It is known as the Best 3 whirlpool in the world.

Wanna have a closer look at it?

We recommend you to take the cruise tour for the whirlpools.

Get on to the cruise to check out the undersea of Naruto Strait

and feel the greatness of the whirlpool. 

★　Naruto Strait (鳴門海峽) 

Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053

Map Code：56689446*35

Official homepage of Naturo City Uzushio Tourist Association

★　Uzushio cruise （うずしお観潮船）

264-1 Oge, Naruto-cho Tosadomariura, Tokushima 7720053

Map Code: 406210244*22

Adult: 1,800 yen ;  Child: 900 yen (30 minutes)

Open hour: 8:00- 17:00

Official Homepage

Google Map

>>Oboke Gorge Koboke Gorge  (大歩危小步危) <<

They are the valleys located upstream of the Yoshino-gawa River in the western part of Tokushima. 

They are narrow and steep.

The unusual natural shaped rock and sandstone create an beautiful and fascinating sight especially during cherry blossom season in spring and autumn foliage in fall.

Recommend you to take a boat trip down the river. 

★　Oboke Kyo Mannaka  (大歩危峡まんなか) 

1520 Yamashirocho Nishiu, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima 779-5451

Map Code: 357151826*14

Boat Trip Business Hour: 9:00- 17:00 

Price: Adult 1,080 yen ; Children (Elementary school) 540 yen

Time: about 30 minutes

Boat Trip Official Page

Google Map

>>Iya (祖谷)<<

There is a suspension bridges called Kazurabashi of Iya.

To go across the river, the bridge is the only way to do it!

It is all made of vines about 45 meters long and 2 meters wide, 

known as one of the scenic area in Tokushima. 

See if you are brave enough to cross it!

★　Iya (祖谷)

162-2, Nishiiyayamamura Zentoku, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima 778-0102

Map Code: 357130582*52

Open Hour: From sunrise to sunset (7:00~ 17:00)

Price to cross the river: Adult 550 yen; Children 350 yen

Available all year around

Google Map

>>Manneken-Pis at Iyakei Valley (小便小僧 )<<

A landmark of small bronze sculpture on the edge of the cliff of 200 meters height!

It has been built since 1968 and become sightseeing spots as introduced on TV.

Why don't you come to imitate it to have a memorial shot? 

You know what?

The one who decided to make this sculpture here 

had seen kids peed there; 

therefore, the idea came to his mind and turned to be truth.

※Watch out! And don't turn over the railing!

★　Manneken-Pis at Iyakei Valley (小便小僧 )

Ikedacho Matsuo, Miyoshi, Tokushima 779-5165

Map Code: 357425452*00

For more related detail

Google Map

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🚗Kochi Prefecture （高知県）

Kochi has the widest area among Shikoku prefecture.

But 84% is forest!

In favor of its natural environment, 

So it is a land good for agriculture. 

Let see...

>>Shimanto River (四万十川) <<

It is 196 km long but does not have any dam.

With its beautiful nature, 

it is known as the last clear stream of Japan. 

The river is clear like a mirror.

The bridge is clearing reflecting on the surface of the river.

And the bridge is not wide, 

that only a small scale of car can pass through,

so safety drive is required on the bridge.

★ Shimanto River (四万十川) 

Katsuma, Shimanto-shi, Koshi

Map Code: 764188854*86

Official Homepage of Shimanto City Tourism Association

Google Map 

>>Hirome Market (弘人市場)<<

Hirome Market (弘人市場) is the largest market in Shikoku.

There are more than 60 shops and 40 are restaurants!

Wanna have Shikoku's taste?

You should come here!

The most recommended one is

grilled bonito (smoked bonito sashimi)

raw inside and roast outside!

Cool!

★Hirome Market (弘人市場)

2-3-1 Obiyamachi, Kochi-shi, Kochi 780-0841

Map Code: 73184798*55

Open Hour: Mon, Sat, national holidays 8:00-23:00

Sun 7:00-23:00

Official Homepage

Google Map

↓↓↓

🚗Ehime Prefecture（愛媛県）

Town of Japanese tangerines. 

Always competing with Wakayama Prefecture for the largest production of 

Japanese tangerines in Japan.

>>Shimonada Station（下灘駅)<<

A famous photo shooting spot here!!

A lot of Japanese dramas and movies taking favor of its location and beautiful scene to create a lot of great works.

It is known as the station nearest to the sea in Japan!

Thereby, no doubt

different fantastic scenes are expected in good weather!

Photo credited to our Japanese colleague Ms. Chihiro Watanabe

(She was there last week^^)

★Shimonada Station（下灘駅)

Google map

>>Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉)<<

Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉) is a hot spring in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.

Having more than 3000 years history and known as one of the oldest three hot spring in Japan, the building has been recognized as

Japanese national designated important cultural heritage!

It is said that the building in animation Spirited Away has been influenced by the architecture here too!

If you are fans of Hayao Miyazaki, 

you don't wanna miss it!

In this hot spring town, 

you can enjoy hot springs in different facilities.

After hot springs, 

go out to have a look at the shopping street and nearest station!

Parking lots are easy to find!

No worry!

★　Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉)

1-7 Dogomachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 790-0843

Map Code: 53349549*56

Open Hour: 

1F Kami no yu 6:00- 23:00

2-3F Rest room 6:00-22:00

For price and service info

Official Page

Google Map

※If you like hot spring,

this is for your reference. 

A hot spring facility, which you can enjoy the beautiful view while soaking at the hot springs.

★ Hotel Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori （奥道後　壱湯の守）

267 Suemachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 791-0122

Map Code: 53414427*43

Official Page

Google Map

>>Nishiseto Expressway （西瀬戸自動車道）<<

Nishiseto Expressway is also called Shimanami Kaido（しまなみ海道）.

It is an expressway connecting Ehime and Hiroshima. 

It contains ten bridges and is a route available for bicycles, mopeds and pedestrians crossing, of course cars.

★　Nishiseto Expressway （西瀬戸自動車道）

Shimanami Kaido, 3-9 Ohamacho, Imabari, Ehime 794-0002

Map code：356357415*34

Bicycle rental

Official FB

Official HOMEPAGE 

Google Map

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What do you think about our road trip to Shikoku??

Nissan Rent-a-car travel!!!

We did have a great time!!!!

For more reference about our road trip with Nissan Rent-a-car

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HERE