[Drive] Family Fun Experiences
![[Drive] Family Fun Experiences](/image/rendering/attraction_image/85854/trim.960/2/1?v=4039e1f381d6e2df4094e7cad425f5d2d2b48a68)
Six-day and five-night course to enjoy an experience-filled course that takes you to hot springs and valleys. (e.g.,Vine Bridges in the Iya Valley.)
START
【DAY1】
45 minutes by car
2
Konpira Hot Spring
This gorgeous hot spring village is located at the foot of Konpira-san (Konpira Shrine). In the vicinity are not only Konpira Shrine and Konmaruza, but also the Sake History and Culture Museum, the Sea Science Museum, and the town's History and Folklore Museum, all of which are housed in a sake brewery.
【DAY 2】
45 minutes by car
45 minutes by car
3
Kotohira-gu Shrine
One of the most popular shrines in Japan
This is a popular shrine, commonly known as Konpira-san. It is the head shrine of "Kotohira" or "Konpira" shrines in Japan and has been worshiped since ancient times as "the God of the Sea".
There is an extremely long staircase, consisting of 1,368 steps. The area around the shrine is crowded with many shops such as cafes, teahouses, souvenir shops and udon restaurants. You can rent a walking stick and go for a stroll or take a ride in a "kago" palanquin and enjoy the sights as you are carried around.
At the mid-way point, you will find the Main Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to many gods including the gods of agriculture, livestock, medicine and marine safety. There are wonderful paintings on the ceiling of the main shrine. On certain festival days you can see the priests and shrine maidens dancing in traditional clothes. You can also purchase a beautiful Kofuku no Kiiroi Omamori (Yellow Charm of Happiness).
There is an extremely long staircase, consisting of 1,368 steps. The area around the shrine is crowded with many shops such as cafes, teahouses, souvenir shops and udon restaurants. You can rent a walking stick and go for a stroll or take a ride in a "kago" palanquin and enjoy the sights as you are carried around.
At the mid-way point, you will find the Main Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to many gods including the gods of agriculture, livestock, medicine and marine safety. There are wonderful paintings on the ceiling of the main shrine. On certain festival days you can see the priests and shrine maidens dancing in traditional clothes. You can also purchase a beautiful Kofuku no Kiiroi Omamori (Yellow Charm of Happiness).
70 minutes by car
4
Matsuyama Expressway (Kawanoe-Matsuyama) Mt.Ishizuchi SA Outbound
A wide variety of flavors from Ehime
Ishizuchi service area, where visitors can enjoy a view of the Ishizuchi mountain range. In addition, in a corner outside the store, fruits such as mandarin oranges and pears produced in Ehime Prefecture are available for purchase. There is also a restaurant where you can taste Ehime's local cuisine, and the glass-walled interior offers a panoramic view of Saijo City and the Seto Inland Sea. The service area, filled with Ehime's charms, is bustling with people spending time with family and friends on their way to the airport.
5
Sunrise Itoyama Cycling Station
Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and natural surroundings on a ride around the Seto Inland Sea!
Sunrise Itoyama is a cycling terminal at the foot of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge. Bicycles are available to rent and this is the perfect starting point for a ride around the inland sea! Riders can use the pedestrian lanes on the connecting bridges while taking in stunning views and the refreshing breezes of the Seto Inland Sea! You will quickly lose track of time on this one-of-a-kind cycling experience. In addition to cycle rental the terminal also offers convenient accommodation for exploring the Shimanami Kaido. The night view from the rooms is mesmerising, especially when the bridge is illuminated.
In the same facility
6
Kaze no Restaurant
This udon restaurant is next to the “Shikoku Village” folk museum in Yashimanaka Town, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. It operates out of an old home with a straw-thatched roof built at the end of the Edo period, giving the interior an authentic Japanese feel. The “kama-age udon” is a popular option for the gentle texture and springiness of the noodles. Other well-received options include the “tokudai udon” for two and the “kazoku (family) udon,” which comes in a large tub. The broth, with its secret dried sardine-base, and the freshly fried tempura make a great combination.
30 minutes by bicycle
7
Yoshiumi Iki-iki Kan Roadside Station
Taste Oshima's seafood with a view of the Kurushima Straits
Located at the foot of the Oshima side of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, this roadside station is an ideal rest stop along the Shimanami Kaido. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing seafood barbecue over a charcoal grill while gazing at the Seto Inland Sea stretching out before them. In addition, the restaurant offers a menu of fresh seafood and locally produced ingredients, and the museum sells a variety of vegetables, fresh fish, and specialties from the island, as well as souvenirs. Visitors are welcomed by a huge fish tank in the center of the restaurant, where sea bream, flatfish, and other fish swim peacefully.
40 minutes by bicycle
8
Kirosan Observatory Park
The most spectacular view on the Shimanami Kaido
The observatory park is located at the top of Mt. Kiro at the southernmost point of Oshima Island. The view from here is known as the most spectacular on the Shimanami Kaido. On fine days the view extends as far as Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest mountain in western Japan. In the evenings, views of the sunset and the illuminated Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge are exceptional. The observatory itself is unobtrusively located within the mountaintop and surrounded by trees to preserve the natural landscape. Along with the stunning views, the observatory is also acclaimed for its uniqueness designed by Kengo Kuma, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize Of architecture.
40 minutes by bicycle
【DAY 3】
80 minutes by car
80 minutes by car
10
Tobe Zoological Park of Ehime Prefecture
Meet the lively animals of the largest zoo in western Japan
America Street
America Street is home to American natives including squirrel monkeys, llamas and condors.
Water Zone
Watch penguins swimming freely in a large pool and colourful flamingos standing one- legged on the shore. While the penguins out of water offer a different look at this unique bird.
Snake House
The Snake House is home to reptiles from all over the world as well as a range of nocturnal animals. You can see large and small snakes coiling themselves up, crocodiles and iguanas too frightening to get close to, and nocturnal owls and flying squirrels.
Many other zones are available
America Street is home to American natives including squirrel monkeys, llamas and condors.
Water Zone
Watch penguins swimming freely in a large pool and colourful flamingos standing one- legged on the shore. While the penguins out of water offer a different look at this unique bird.
Snake House
The Snake House is home to reptiles from all over the world as well as a range of nocturnal animals. You can see large and small snakes coiling themselves up, crocodiles and iguanas too frightening to get close to, and nocturnal owls and flying squirrels.
Many other zones are available
90 minutes by car
11
Highway Restaurant Uwajima
This restaurant serves Uwajima tai meshi, a local delicacy of the region, in which raw sea bream fillets are served over rice in a broth. The spacious restaurant is equipped with a full-scale kesu (fish casserole), allowing diners to enjoy fresh Uwakai seafood at any time of the day. It is said that "Uwajima tai meshi" originated when pirates used to drink rice in the same bowl they used to drink sake on boats when they could not use fire, and they ate it with raw sea bream meat on top.
110 minutes by car
【DAY 4】
20 minutes by car
20 minutes by car
13
Shimanto River Houseboat Cruising Service, Nattoku
This tourist boat operates in the Shimanto River. Its approximately hour-long regular services depart every hour from the boat dock located on the side of National Route 441 in Tadenokawa, Shimanto City. Passengers can see scenic sights such as the “Onigafuchi no Iwa” as well as seasonal sights such as Kishi azaleas and fireflies. Passengers who make reservations in advance can also enjoy bento boxes onboard the boat. Reservation-only gourmet charter courses are also offered.
90 minutes by car
14
Kure Taisho Town Market
The Kure Taisho Town Market, which consists of a shopping arcade and street stalls, has been popular with local residents for more than 100 years as their main source of food. The market becomes crowded with many shoppers at around 11 a.m. when fish just landed by local fishermen are put on sale. Not only fresh fish but also vegetables and fruits are available at the market, along with a variety of side dishes prepared by fishermen’s wives. Special "kaisendon" (Kuredon), a bowl of rice topped with fresh sashimi (sliced raw fish) of one’s choice, is particularly popular.
80 minutes by car
15
Ryuga Cave
The Ryuga Cave is a roughly 4-km limestone cave which took approximately 175 million years to form. It is one of Japan’s best-known limestone caves and designated by the government as a natural monument/historical site. About a 1-km part of the cave is open to the public and you can view some mysterious scenes there.
Near the exit are the remains of cave-dwelling communities during the prehistoric Yayoi period (from around the mid-3rd century BC to the mid-3rd century AD). In particular, Yayoi earthenware covered with calcareous sinter, known as “a divine pot,” is extremely rare and an echo of an ancient world.
A recommended route is the “Adventure Course,” which is so small that you must kneel down to go forward while relying solely on a headlight. At the Chincho (Rare Birds) Center that is adjacent to the cave, you can see long-tailed cocks, designated by the government as a special natural treasure.
Near the exit are the remains of cave-dwelling communities during the prehistoric Yayoi period (from around the mid-3rd century BC to the mid-3rd century AD). In particular, Yayoi earthenware covered with calcareous sinter, known as “a divine pot,” is extremely rare and an echo of an ancient world.
A recommended route is the “Adventure Course,” which is so small that you must kneel down to go forward while relying solely on a headlight. At the Chincho (Rare Birds) Center that is adjacent to the cave, you can see long-tailed cocks, designated by the government as a special natural treasure.
50 minutes by car
16
Kochi City Accommodation (check in)
10 minutes on foot
17
Hirome Market
Hirome Market is a commercial facility located next to Kochi Castle. It is also a place for locals and visitors alike to fill their stomachs with not only Kochi"s local cuisine, but also more international flavors. The inside of the nostalgia-inspiring market building is packed with approximately 65 street stall-style restaurants, busy fresh fish and meat shops, unique knickknack shops, and clothing boutiques.
With tables throughout, customers can get takeout from different restaurants and casually enjoy a variety of foods. Although you may notice people drinking during the day in the market, this too is a sight typical of Kochi, a place where the locals are known to like drinking.
With tables throughout, customers can get takeout from different restaurants and casually enjoy a variety of foods. Although you may notice people drinking during the day in the market, this too is a sight typical of Kochi, a place where the locals are known to like drinking.
10 minutes on foot
18
Kochi City Accommodation
The images of the accommodation facilities are for illustrative purposes only
【DAY 5】
30 minutes by car
30 minutes by car
19
Nishijima Horticultural Park
This is a sightseeing farm with 10 cultivation greenhouses on a vast site of about 6 hectares. Visitors can enjoy watermelons and melons all year round while surrounded by tropical flowers. The limited-time strawberry picking (January to early June) is also very popular, with unlimited time and all-you-can-eat hours. Please spend a relaxing time surrounded by flowers and fruits.
60 minutes by car
20
Roadside Station Oboke (Monster House and Stone Museum)
A complex facility of a tourist information center and a stone museum located in the scenic Oboke area. It was certified as "Oboke" Roadside Station by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on August 8, 2008. The Stone Museum exhibits rare stones from around the world, and in addition to the museum, it also has a tourist information corner, a coffee shop, a souvenir shop, and a footbath (only on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays). In 2010, the "Yokai Yashiki (Specter House)," which introduces local yokai folklore, was opened in the facility because the area near the facility is the hometown of Konaki-jijiji, who appears in the "Gegege no Kitaro" yokai comic strip. The Yokai Yashiki displays many yokai dolls and other items handmade by local residents.
20 minutes by car
21
Vine Bridges in the Iya Valley
In ancient times the local people built many of these bridges for daily travel, using vines that grow wild in the mountains, yet only a few vine bridges still remain today. Looking down while crossing is enough to put butterflies in any visitor's stomach. Recognized as one of three kinds of unusual bridges in Japan, they are designated as an important folkloric property.
90 minutes by car
22
Mima Tourist Exchange Center Aizome Workshop
It is a base for tourism with three functions: the "Tourism Exchange Room," the "Aizome Studio," and the "Udatsuemon Tea House.
1 minutes by car
1 minutes by car
【DAY 6】
60 minutes by car
60 minutes by car
20 minutes by car
26
ROYAL FARM AKAMATSU
Located in a beautiful idyllic setting, this ranch-owned store sells gelato. The store offers rich and delicious gelato in a fashionable setting, and a wide variety of products are available.
5 minutes by car
27
Takamatsu Airport
GOAL