Shikoku Tours

This is Shikoku.

Without a doubt this area of Japan is the up and coming region.
Now that the average traveler to Japan has been here 4 or 5 times, places like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are no longer on their desired itineraries.

Shikoku is the 4th largest island in Japan and a small tranquil island with a famed hot-spring spa & pilgrimage route with 88 Buddhist temples. It's nature and pristine countryside is second to none!




There are 4 Prefectures and here are main areas on the island of Shikoku that we operate tours:


1) Kochi Tours

This is Kochi Prefecture.  Please click on view larger map to see more of Kochi Prefecture and reference its proximity to other locations in this region of Western Japan.





Kochi is a modern City on Japan's 4th largest island, namely Shikoku. Kochi City is on the Pacific Ocean and with it's abundant nature, caves, and also has lots of different crafts to enjoy.

Making traditional Japanese paper always rates highly an an interesting Cultural activity to experience. This decorative craft has many uses, from letter writing to gift wrapping. Invent your own way to use your original handmade paper.

Kochi City is a great addition to any travel itinerary.

Here is a map of the Kochi Port


Kochi Cruise Port


SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Here is the suggested Itinerary for our Kochi Shore Excursions:


Full-day Private Tour for Kochi, Japan
General start times are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, but adjusted to the ships scheduled times.

Tour company and guide names:
‘Kochi Private Tours’, in conjunction with ‘Tour Nagasaki’; 
Dion Clingwall, Shannon Lefebvre and Jon Aleles



Kochi is a magnificent Port




Morning plan before the tour begins:
i) We will arrive at the  Kochi Cruise Ship Port between 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.


ii) We’ll be waiting for you outside the terminal.

iii) Your Kochi tour includes all transportation, entrance fees, snacks, and drinks, as well as lunch. We
will stock the van(s) with a wide variety of Japanese snacks and drinks. These items are the groups to
enjoy while touring and/or to bring with you as souvenirs at the end of the day. The group will only be
responsible for paying for personal items and souvenirs they buy while visiting the sites.


Tour Itinerary: 8 hour Full Day Tour
1) Pick up between 8:00~8:30 - - Kochi Cruise Ship Port
Click below for more information on the Kochi Port:


2) Drive 30 minutes to the Ryugado Caves for a morning adventure along the ‘sightseeing course’.
Click below for more information on the Ryugado Caves.


3) Drive roughly 60 minutes to Suigei Sake Brewery  and the Tasting room and shop – a striking
brewery building in a breathtaking location!
Click below for more information on the Suigei Sake Brewery.


4) Optional – Drive 25 minutes to Traditional Japanese paper making – Tosa-Washi at Qraud resort (an
English explanation) – availability of this experience to be confirmed in January 2024.
Click below for more information on the Tosa Washi attraction.


5) Drive 30 minutes to Kochi Castle – One of the best preserved, original wooden castles in all of
Japan. 
Click below for more information on the Kochi Castle.

  
6) Late Lunch: After Kochi Castle we will walk to Hirome Ichiba Market  and indulge in a variety of
Japanese food options – over 40 shops – choices ranging from delicacies to the mysterious!
Click below for more information on the the Hirome Ichiba Market.


6) Optional – if there is time after our visit to Hirome Ichiba Market we will stroll through the Kochi
City walking district before returning to the port.


7) Optional – stop for a coffee, tea, and/or snacks while driving or wandering around Kochi.


8) Drive back to Kochi Cruise Ship Port and arrive at no later than 4:30 pm (we can arrive earlier if the
group would prefer).



We are always ready to start the day




Transportation Arrangements: 
i) Toyota Hi-Ace or Nissan Caravan – these are full-sized vans that seat up to 9.
The van is non-smoking and fully insured.

Payment Arrangements: 

Option 1 (my preferred option) – Pay the full amount on the day of the tour.
For convenience, with mixed groups, as is often the case with shore excursions, you may pay the full amount in cash on the day of the tour. Individuals and couples may pay their portion separately, or
the group can choose to pay together in one lump sum.

If you choose to pay on the day of the tour, the previous day’s exchange rate will determine the final
price.


Option 2 – A 25% non-refundable deposit via PayPal will reserve your tour booking.
Information on where to send the deposit will be sent in a follow-up email.
The remaining 75% of the fee can either:
i) be paid on the day of the tour in Japanese Yen, US Dollars, or Euros, or
ii) as per the deposit, be sent via Paypal.


Option 3 – Pay the full amount via bank transfer any time prior to the day of the tour.
Bank account information will be sent in a follow-up email.


Inclusive: Your Kochi tour includes the guide fee, all transportation costs, entrance fees, snacks, and
drinks, as well as lunch.


Exclusive: gratuities, personal items and souvenirs
Tipping: In Japan, there is no tipping culture, and it is not expected. If one does give money in Japan
(as a thank you or a gift), it is usually offered in an envelope.


Please check out these photos below:
Gourmet experience are all inclusive.
Higher end Omakase and Kaiseki courses will incur further costs:


Sushi

Noodles

Green Tea

Japanese Sake

Sashimi





2) Tokushima Tours


This is Tokushima Prefecture.  Please click on view larger map to see more of Tokushima Prefecture and reference its proximity to Kochi as well as other locations in this region of Western Japan.





Tokushima Prefecture, on the eastern end of Japan’s Shikoku Island, is linked by bridge to mainland Honshu. It’s the traditional starting point of an island-wide pilgrimage route, which stretches 1,200km and encompasses 88 Buddhist temples (more than a quarter of them in Tokushima). The prefecture's remote Iya Valley, part of Tsurugisan Quasi-National Park, has steep gorges, river rapids and vine suspension bridges.

Tokushima City is a great addition to any travel itinerary.

Here is a map of the Tokushima Port




SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Here is the suggested Itinerary for our Tokushima Shore Excursions:


Full-day Private Tour for Tokushima, Japan
General start times are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, but adjusted to the ships scheduled times.

Tour company and guide names:
‘Tokushima Private Tours’, in conjunction with ‘Tour Nagasaki’; 
Dion Clingwall, Shannon Lefebvre and Jon Aleles


Here is a sample itinerary:
Tokushima  

i) Pick up between 8:00 a.m. – Tokushima Cruise Ship Port. 

ii) Drive roughly 35 minutes to the Awa Odori Kaikan: Learn about Tokushima’s famous Awa Odori dance festival – the largest of its kind in Japan. If timing permits, we can watch a short dance demonstration.  

iii) Mt. Bizan Ropeway: From the top floor of the Awa Odori Kaikan we will take the ropeway up Mt. Bizan for a panoramic city and ocean views. . 

iv) Tokushima Castle Park: The Lord Hachisuka family dwelling until the early 1870’s. 

  • Tokushima Castle Museum: Exhibits on local feudal history and culture. Mostly level walking; some steps in the park. 
  • Omotegoten Garden, formerly the front garden of the castle, featuring traditional elements such as a landscaped pond, contemplation bridges, and a karesansui rock garden.  

 

v) Lunch (depending on your preferences): We will either visit one of the many local restaurants serving both regional and more familiar Japanese dishes. 

vi) Our final stop of the day will be a 30 minute river cruise on the Shinmachi river.    

viii) If time permits, as we drive back to the port, end the day with a visit Aisai Farmer’s Market. A wonderful spot to grab local treats, snacks and souvenirs. 

 

Other possible options we could include in your Tokushima tour: 

Visit a: i) traditional Japanese Onsen; ii) hot spring and public bathhouse.



A biggie at the Tokushima Port



3) Matsuyama Tours

This is Ehime Prefecture.  Please click on view larger map to see more of Ehime Prefecture and reference its proximity to other locations in this region of Western Japan.




Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s known for its central Dōgo Onsen bathhouse, dating from the Meiji Period, with ornate, tiered wooden buildings. Nearby is Shiki Memorial Museum, dedicated to Masaoka Shiki’s haiku poetry. To the west is the restored, feudal-era Matsuyama Castle, with its hilltop gardens and seasonal cherry blossoms.

Matsuyama City is a great addition to any travel itinerary.

Here is a map of the Matsuyama Port.


SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Here is the suggested Itinerary for our Matsuyama Shore Excursions:

Matsuyama: Here is a sample itinerary for a full-day tour.

i) Pick up between 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Matsuyama Port.

ii) Drive 20 minutes to Matsuyama Castle.
Either walk or take the ropeway to the castle.
Explore the castle grounds and enjoy panoramic city views.

iii) Visit Bansuiso villa – built in 1922 by Count Hisamitsu who had lived and studied in France
for 15 years. An almost mystical feel surrounds this ‘out-of-place’ French-style villa.

iv) Optional (Lunch) Wander through the Okaido Shopping Arcade, interesting potential lunch
options, local shops, and many interesting souvenir options.

v) Next, we would visit the Dogo Onsen Area and take a foot bath.
Japan’s oldest hot spring, famous for its beautiful traditional architecture.
We could also possibly have lunch in this area as well.

vi) Our final site for the day would be the Ishite-ji Temple and its serene garden.
One of the more significant temples on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage route.

vii) Scenic drive back to the port in order to arrive between 5:30 and 6:30 pm.
Other possible options we could include in your Matsuyama tour:

 Shusen Eiko Sake Brewery Tour (Japanese only but beautiful site)
 Minakuchi Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour (Japanese only but beautiful site)
 Uchiko town walking tour- Yokaichi Old Town with Edo-period merchant houses.
 Isaniwa Shrine – a uniquely stunning Monoyama era shrine.
 A visit to Dogo Park and Garden and the Ruins of Yuzukijo Castle.
 The unexpectedly interesting Imabari Towel Museum - Exhibits on uniquely luxurious
towels, textile art, and a full-view of the high-quality towel production factory floor.




Berthing at Matsuyama Port





4) Takamatsu Tours

This is Kagawa Prefecture.  Please click on view larger map to see more of Kagawa Prefecture and reference its proximity to other locations in this region of Western Japan.



Takamatsu is a port city on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s known for the sprawling Ritsurin Garden, with a teahouse, koi ponds, landscaped hills and pine forests. To the east, atop Mount Yashima, Yashima-ji Temple offers panoramic views over the Seto Inland Sea. Nearby, Shikoku Village is an open-air museum with a collection of historical buildings from around the island. To the south are the hot springs of Shionoe.

Takamatsu City is a great addition to any travel itinerary.

Here is a map of the Takamatsu Port.



SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Here is the suggested Itinerary for our Takamatsu Shore Excursions:

Takamatsu: Here is a sample itinerary for a full-day tour.

Takamatsu City & Yashima Highlights
1) Port Pickup
 Timeframe: 8:00 am – 8:15 am
 Meet your bilingual driver/guide at the Takamatsu cruise terminal.
2) Ritsurin Garden
 Timeframe: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
 Website:
Ritsurin Garden Official Site (English)
 Highlights:
o One of Japan’s most renowned historical gardens, featuring beautiful ponds,
meticulously landscaped pine trees, and teahouses.
o Gentle walking on mostly flat, well-maintained pathways.
o Optional teahouse stop for matcha tea (additional fee).

3) Takamatsu Castle Ruins (Tamamo Park)
 Timeframe: 10:15 am – 11:15 am
 Website:
Tamamo Park (Takamatsu Castle)
 Highlights:
o Remaining walls and moats of the former seaside castle.
o Short stroll around landscaped gardens; minimal steps.
o Beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea from certain points.

4) Lunch at Marugamemachi Shopping Arcade
 Timeframe: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
 Website:
Marugamemachi Shopping Arcade Info (general Kagawa tourism)
 Highlights:
o Covered shopping street with various cafés, restaurants, and local shops.
o Sample local specialty Sanuki udon or choose a Western-friendly meal.

5) Yashima Drive & Viewpoint
 Timeframe: 12:45 pm – 1:15 pm (Drive to Yashima)
 Website:

Yashima Plateau Info
 Highlights:
o Yashima is a flat-topped mountain offering panoramic views of Takamatsu and the Seto
Inland Sea.
o Minimal walking from the parking area to observation decks.

6) Yashima Temple & Surrounding Area
 Timeframe: 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
 Highlights:
o Temple #84 on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
o Explore its historic buildings and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
o Gentle walk around the temple grounds (some steps, but pace can be adjusted).

7) Shikoku Mura (Optional)
 Timeframe: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
 Website:
Shikoku Mura (Open-Air Museum) (English info available)
 Highlights:
o Outdoor museum showcasing traditional Shikoku architecture (farmhouses, storehouses,
kabuki theater).
o Some gentle slopes and wooden walkways; the guide can focus on the more accessible
paths.

(If a museum stroll isn’t of interest, consider a short tea/coffee break or additional shopping time in
Takamatsu.)
8) Souvenir/Break & Return
 Timeframe: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
 Optional stop for local sweets or olive products (Kagawa is known for olive cultivation).
 Leisurely drive back to the port.
9) Arrive at Port
 Timeframe: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
 End of the tour day.


Takamatsu Port 



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