Tokushima Kochi Ehime Kagawa
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Shikoku (24 Apr 2009 to 01 May 2009)
I went to Shikoku with Frank.
Frank taught me a lot of Japanese.
Shikoku is composed of four provinces :
Tokushima (德島), ancient name is Awa (阿波)
Kochi (高知), ancient name is Tosa (土佐)
Ehime (愛媛), ancient name is Iyo (伊予)
Kagawa (香川), ancient name is Sanuki (讚岐)
Cash exchange rate : 1000 Japanese yen = 78.125 Hong Kong dollar
I went to Shikoku with Frank.
Frank taught me a lot of Japanese.
Shikoku is composed of four provinces :
Tokushima (德島), ancient name is Awa (阿波)
Kochi (高知), ancient name is Tosa (土佐)
Ehime (愛媛), ancient name is Iyo (伊予)
Kagawa (香川), ancient name is Sanuki (讚岐)
Cash exchange rate : 1000 Japanese yen = 78.125 Hong Kong dollar
| Expenses before trip |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Flight and hotel package |
N/A |
3563.0 |
| Travel insurance | N/A | 120.0 |
24 Apr 2009
Hong Kong
Kansai Airport
Tokushima (德島)
Stayed in Sunroute Hotel (ホテルサンルート徳島)
- Gathered at 08:00, Hong Kong International Airport
- Enjoyed free massage in Traveler's Lounge
- Enjoyed free food and drink in Plaza Premium Lounge
- In Kansai Airport, we had 自由軒 curry rice, but 自由軒 curry rice in Namba (難波) is much much better
- Could not find the dessert shop 青木松 in Kansai Airport
- In the airport we got two sets of Shikoku Passports (四国パスポート) http://www.shikoku.gr.jp/tabi-jiten/ticket/itiran2.php which contained many many discount items
- Took bus from Kansai Airport to Tokushima (德島), by Tokushima Bus (德島) http://www.tokubus.co.jp/ , or by Hoshi Bus (本四) http://www.honshi-bus.co.jp/
- A little bit traffic jam near Tokushima (德島)
- Checked in Sunroute Hotel http://www.sunroute-tokushima.com/ which was very closed to Tokushima JR station (德島) and the room was very nice
- Had sushi as our first dinner and noodle as our second dinner
- Enjoyed free indoor and outdoor hot spring, sauna in the hotel
| Expenses on 24 Apr
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Bus from Kansai airport to Tokushima (8000yen for 2) |
4000.0 | N/A |
| Curry rice in Kansai airport (1000yen for 2) | 500.0 | N/A |
| Sunroute Hotel Tokushima (12600yen for 2) | 6300.0 | N/A |
| Sushi as first dinner (3948yen for 2) | 1974.0 | N/A |
| Noodle as second dinner (1460yen for 2) | 730.0 | N/A |
25 Apr 2009
Tokushima (德島), Naruto (鳴門)
Oboke (大步危), Iya Valley (祖谷溪谷)
Stayed in 峡谷の湯宿 大歩危峡まんなか
- Enjoyed free indoor and outdoor hot spring, sauna in hotel
- Checked out and kept our luggage in the hotel
- Took bus from Tokushima JR Station (德島) to Naruto Park (鳴門公園), Tokushima bus http://www.tokubus.co.jp/
- Met an old woman from Osaka (大阪) in the bus, she spoke very good English and she was in a hurry
- Raining and very cold in Naruto Park (鳴門公園)
- UZU NO MICHI (渦の道) http://www.uzunomichi.jp/ , 20% discount with Shikoku Passport, a little bit disappointed about the whirlpools
- Did not take Whirlpools Sightseeing Boat (うずしお汽船) http://www.uzushio-kisen.com/
- Took bus from Naruto Park (鳴門公園) to Tokushima JR Station (德島)
- Traffic jam around Tokushima (德島) again, so we could not have Hyotanjima Boat Trip (ひょうたん島観光船) http://www.awanavi.jp/ or http://www.awanavi.jp/article/0001002.html
- Had cheap lunch inside Tokushima JR Station (德島)
- I took some photos for the cheap food though it was forbidden
- So lucky that we could join the HANA HARU FESTA 2009 and noodle exhibition in a park
- Sweet potato is very famous in Naruto (鳴門)
- Enjoyed sweet potato in Awa Dancing Club
- Got back luggages from the hotel and walked to the Tokushima JR Station (德島)
- Travelled from Tokushima JR Station (德島) to Oboke JR Station (大步危) by JR train, transited at Awaikeda JR Station (阿波池田)
- JR lady in Tokushima JR Station (德島) gave us expensive tickets, 310 yen each more expensive than expected
- JR staffs in Awaikeda JR Station (阿波池田) gave us back 100 yen each and 210 yen was service charge
- We got on a slow train in Awaikeda JR Station (阿波池田) which set out earlier and arrived Oboke (大步危) earlier
- Free pick up by hotel 峡谷の湯宿 大歩危峡まんなか http://www.mannaka.co.jp/hotel/hotel.html
- Very nice staffs in the hotel and explained every details to us
- Big dinner in hotel
- At night, with a hotel little lamp, we went out for spot light river and valley
- Took many photos for the river and valley
- Enjoyed free hot spring in the hotel
- Enjoyed free herbal tea in the hotel
| Expenses on 25 Apr
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Bus from Tokushima to Naruto Park (1380yen for 2) |
690.0 | N/A |
| Uzunomichi (800yen for 2) | 400.0 |
N/A |
| Bus from Naruto Park to Tokushima (1380yen for 2) | 690.0 | N/A |
| Lunch in Tokushima JR train station (1201yen for 2) | 600.5 | N/A |
| Sweet potato ice-cream (250yen for 1) | 125.0 | N/A |
| JR train from Tokushima to Oboke (4680yen for 2) | 2340.0 | N/A |
| Return 310yen each | -310.0 | N/A |
| JR service charge 210yen each | 210.0 | N/A |
26 Apr 2009
Oboke (大步危), Iya Valley (祖谷溪谷)
Kochi (高知)
Stayed in ビジネスホテル港屋
- Enjoyed free hot spring in the hotel
- Had breakfast in the hotel
- Checked out and kept our luggages in the hotel
- Hotel staff gave us a discount card for the Oboke Ravine Pleasure Boat (大歩危遊覧船) http://www.mannaka.co.jp/restaurant/excursionship/excursionship.html , it was a better offer than the Shikoku Passport
- Took many many photos for the "Hanging Fish" during boat trip
- Travelled from Oboke-kyo (大歩危峡) to Vine Bridge in the Iya Valley (かずら橋) by Shikoku Kotsu Bus (四国交通) http://www.yonkoh.co.jp/
- Borrowed two umbrellas from a lady of a restaurant near Vine Bridge (かずら橋)
- With Shikoku Passport, we got 10% discount for Vine Bridge (かずら橋)
- Quite dangerous to take photos, hold an umberlla and walk across the Vine Bridge (かずら橋)
- Walked to Biwa-no-taki (Biwa Waterfall, 琵琶の滝)
- Return the umbrellas, but all restaurants were closed
- Took bus from Iya Valley (かずら橋) to Oboke-kyo (大歩危峡)
- Had lunch in Oboke-kyo (大歩危峡)
- Lime (すだち) is very famous in Tokushima (德島)
- Walked back hotel to have lime ice-cream and collected luggages
- Free transport from hotel to Oboke JR Station (大步危) by the same nice staff
- Travelled from Oboke JR Station (大步危) to Kochi JR Station (高知)
- Bought bus tickets travelling from Kochi JR (高知) to Matsuyama (松山) in the bus terminal near Kochi JR Station (高知)
- Three choices, Kochi Traffic (高知県交通株式会社) http://www.kenkoutsu.net/ , Tosa Traffic (土佐電気鉄道株式会社) http://www.tosaden.co.jp/top/index.html and JR Shikoku bus (ジェイアール四国バス株式会社) http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/bus/
- We chose Kochi Traffic 高知県交通株式会社
- Checked in hotel ビジネスホテル港屋 http://www.minato-ya.info/index.html
- Very small room in this hotel
- Did not take tram nor bus http://www.smartosa.org/web/index.asp
- Walked to Hirome Market (ひろめ市場) http://www.hirome.co.jp/ and passed through Harimayabashi (はりまや橋) http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/soshiki/39/harimayabashishuhen.html
- Mainly local Japanese in the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
- Had noodles, bean curds, meat, fried noodles and Japanese pizza in the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
- Grapefruit (ゆず) is very famous in Kochi (高知) and Frank had grapefruit ice-cream
- Ric used computers in the hotel lobby and Frank rode a hotel bicycle to the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
- Enjoyed free sauna and massage bed in the hotel, so comfortable that fell asleep
| Expenses on 26 Apr
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Obokekyo hotel (28400yen for 2) | 14200.0 | N/A |
| Obokekyo boat trip (1680yen for 2) | 840.0 | N/A |
| Bus from Obokekyo to Vine Bridge (1400yen for 2) | 700.0 |
N/A |
| Vine Bridge (900yen for 2) | 450.0 |
N/A |
| Bus from Vine Bridge to Obokekyo (1400 for 2) | 700.0 |
N/A |
| Lunch in Obokekyo (1700 for 2) | 850.0 |
N/A |
| Lime ice-cream in Obokekyo hotel (250yen for 1) | 125.0 |
N/A |
| JR train from Oboke to Kochi (2480yen for 2) |
1240.0 |
N/A |
| Bus from Kochi to Matsuyama (7000yen for 2) | 3500.0 |
N/A |
| Kochi hotel (6300yen for 2) | 3150.0 |
N/A |
| Noodles in Hirome Market (700yen for 2 bowls) | 350.0 | N/A |
| Bean curds in Hirome Market (500yen for 2 pieces) | 250.0 |
N/A |
| Meat in Hirome Market (380yen for 1 piece) | 190.0 |
N/A |
| Fried noodle in Hirome Market (600yen for 1) | 300.0 |
N/A |
| Japanese pizza in Hirome Market (700yen for 1) | 350.0 |
N/A |
| Bottle water in Kochi hotel (100yen for 1 bottle) | 50.0 | N/A |
27 Apr 2009
Kochi (高知)
Matsuyama (松山)
Stayed in ＫＫＲ道後ゆづき
- Enjoyed free sauna and massage bed in the hotel
- Checked out and left luggages in the hotel
- Walked from the hotel to the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
- On the way, found a shop which sold cheaper bus tickets
- Had sushi in the Tosa Market (とさ市場) which was near the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場)
- Had beef potato balls and noodles in the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場) which was sold out previous night
- Walked to Kochi Castle (高知城) http://www.kochipark.jp/kochijyo/index.html
- Met a foreign family (Parents and 3 children) in the Hirome Market (ひろめ市場) and Kochi Castle (高知城)
- Kept backpacks in the free locker and got 20% discount with Shikoku Passport
- Walked to Harimayabashi (はりまや橋) http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/soshiki/39/harimayabashishuhen.html
- Met a local Japanese man in the Harimayabashi (はりまや橋) who was good at taking photographs
- Did not go to Katsurahama (桂浜) http://www.city.kochi.kochi.jp/soshiki/39/katsurahama.html
- Walked back hotel and collect luggages
- Travelled from Kochi JR (高知) to Matsuyama (松山) by bus and got off at 大街道
- Travelled from 大街道 to Dogo Park by tram http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/
- Checked in hotel ＫＫＲ道後ゆづき http://www.kkrdogo.jp/
- Very big and nice room with a little garden
- Had big dinner in the hotel
- Very nice hotel staffs (had answered Ric's question by long distance call from Japan to Hong Kong), guided us to Dogo Hot Spring (道後温泉本館)
- Walked to Hot Spring Street with hotel clothes and slippers
- Ate free beans in a shop of the Hot Spring Street
- Too rush, forgot Shikoku Passport and hotel room towel, did not get discount and have to rent towels and soaps
- Enjoyed bath in Dogo Hot Spring (道後温泉本館)
- Met a tourist from Brazil in the bath room
- Enjoyed hot spring in the hotel
| Expenses on 27 Apr
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Sushi in Tosa Market (1600yen for 2) |
800.0 |
N/A |
| Beef potato balls in Hirome Market (200yen for 2) | 100.0 |
N/A |
| Hirome noodle in Hirome Market (600yen for 2) | 300.0 |
N/A |
| Kochi Castle (640yen for 2) | 320.0 |
N/A |
| Tram to Dogo Park (300yen for 2) | 150.0 |
N/A |
| Dogo hot spring (800yen for 2) | 400.0 |
N/A |
| Towel and soap rent in Dogo hot spring (120yen for 2) | 60.0 |
N/A |
28 Apr 2009
Matsuyama (松山)
Takamatsu (高松)
Stayed in ホテルエリアワン高松（旧ホテルアベスト高松）
- Enjoyed hot spring in the hotel
- Big breakfast in the hotel
- Checked out very late until staff called us
- Left luggages in the hotel
- Hotel staff gave us English map and recommended us to have lunch in a noodle restaurant
- Very big Dogo Park (道後公園) http://www.dogokouen.jp/
- Watched Botchan Train (坊っちゃん列車) http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/ and met the Brazil tourist and his Japanese girl friend
- Iyo orange (いよかん) is very famous in Ehime (愛媛) and Frank had orange juice and orange ice-cream
- Ashi-yu (free footbath 放生園)
- Ate free beans in a shop of the Hot Spring Street again
- Souvenir shopkeeper was very nice, explained us the famous cake (タルト) , gave us free cakes (タルト) and reminded us time for Botchan Karakuri Clock (坊っちゃんカラクリ時計)
- Honey shop girl gave us cold honey drinks and taught us speak Japanese
- Botchan Karakuri Clock (坊っちゃんカラクリ時計)
- Took photos with funny boards 顔抜きパネル
- Lunch in a very good restaurant recommended by the hotel staff
- Very tired in the restaurant because the seats were Japanese traditional seats
- Walked back hotel to collect luggages and have free cakes (タルト) again
- Travelled from Dogo Park (道後公園) to Matsuyama JR Station (松山) by tram
- Travelled from Matsuyama JR Station (松山) to Takamatsu JR Station (高松) by 伊予鉄道 http://www.iyotetsu.co.jp/ or ジェイアール四国バス株式会社 http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/bus/
- First time to take a bus with three seats per row
- Met a student in Takamatsu JR Station (高松) who provided free treatments for Frank and me
- Checked in hotel ホテルアベスト高松１ http://www.hotelabest-takamatsu.com/
- The hotel name was changed from Abest to AreaOne
- Checked in AreaOne I, but stayed in AreaOne II, it was a nice room
- Hotel staff guided us to a supermarket
- Bought many noodles in the supermarket
- Had noodles near Takamatsu JR Station (高松) just before sold out
- Took a rest in the hotel and then the hotel staff recommended us a famous noodle restaurant in the red light district
- Everyone, included us, ordered curry noodles in the restaurant
- Many drunk local guys in the red light district
- Walked back hotel, bought some rice bun and milk in a convenient shop and also walked pass Tamamo-koen Park (玉藻公園) http://www.city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp/kaihatu/kouen/ryokuchi/tamamo_park.html
| Expenses on 28 Apr
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Dogo hot spring hotel (18100yen for 2) |
9050.0 |
N/A |
| Noodle lunch (2225yen for 2) | 1112.5 | N/A |
| Tram from Dogo Park to Matsuyama JR (300yen for 2) | 150.0 |
N/A |
| Bus from Matsuyama JR to Takamatsu JR (7800yen for 2) | 3900.0 |
N/A |
| Takamatus hotel (8100yen for 2) | 4050.0 |
N/A |
| Souvenirs in supermarket (3433yen for Ric only) | 3433.0 |
N/A |
| Noodle in Takamatsu JR (940yen for 2) | 470.0 |
N/A |
| Noodle in red light district (1400yen for 2) | 700.0 |
N/A |
| Rice bun and banana milk in convenient shop (687yen for 2) | 343.5 |
N/A |
29 Apr 2009
Takamatsu (高松)
Osaka
Ric stayed in Spa World and Frank stayed in Sunroute Umeda
- Checked out and left luggages in the hotel
- The staff in the information centre near Takamatsu JR Station (高松) recommended us to buy one day pass for Kotoden (琴平電鉄) http://www.kotoden.co.jp/publichtm/kotoden/
- Travelled to Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園) http://www.pref.kagawa.jp/ritsurin/index.html by Kotoden (琴平電鉄)
- Got 20% discount for Ritsurin Garden with Shikoku Passport
- Big and beautiful Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園)
- Took photos with a bridegroom in the garden
- Had lunch in a cheap and good noodle restaurant near Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園)
- Travelled from Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園) to Kotoden Kotohira (琴電琴平) by Kotoden (琴電)
- Went upstairs for Konpira-gu or Kotohira-gu Shrine (金刀比羅宮) http://www.konpira.or.jp/
- Travelled from Kotoden Kotohira (琴電琴平) to Takamatsu (高松) by Kotoden (琴平電鉄)
- Walked to hotel and got back luggages
- Rushed to buy bus tickets, so we could arrive Umeda earlier
- Travelled from Takamatsu JR (高松) to Umeda (梅田) by 四国高速バス株式会社 http://www.yonkou-bus.co.jp/ or ジェイアール四国バス株式会社 http://www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/bus/
- Walked from Hankyu bus terminal to hotel Sunroute Umeda http://www.hotelsunroute.co.jp/umeda/
- The room of Sunroute Tokushima (ホテルサンルート徳島) was much better than that of Sunroute Umeda (ホテルサンルート梅田)
- Had chicken sashimi as first dinner, not good and expensive starters
- Had sushi as second dinner
- Ric travelled from Umeda (梅田) to Namba (難波) by subway and stayed in Spa World
| Expenses
on 29 Apr 2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Koto Den one day pass (2400yen for 2) |
1200.0 |
N/A |
| Ritsurin Park (640yen for 2) | 320.0 | N/A |
| Noodle lunch near Ritsurin Park (980yen for 2) |
490.0 |
N/A |
| Bus from Takamatus to Umeda (7800yen for 2) |
3900.0 |
N/A |
| Chicken sashimi as first dinner (2430yen for 2) | 1215.0 |
N/A |
| Sushi as second dinner (2340yen for 2) | 1170.0 | N/A |
| Subway from Umeda to Dobutsuen-mae (230 for Ric only) | 230.0 |
N/A |
| Spa World and misc (2510 for Ric only) | 2510.0 |
N/A |
30 Apr 2009
Osaka
Ric stayed in Capsule Hotel and Frank stayed in Sunroute Umeda
- Ric had fried chicken set lunch in Tennoji (天王寺)
- Ric had bbq chicken, pork and beef in Tennoji (天王寺)
- Ric window shopping in Den Den Town (電電城)
- Frank travelled from Umeda to Arima Onsen (有馬溫泉)
- Ric had soya milk in Kuromon Market (黑門市場)
- Ric travelled from Namba (難波) to Umeda (梅田) by subway
- Ric bought souvenirs in MARUSHIGE (まるしげ) in Umeda (梅田) underground street
- Ric packed the souvenirs in the luggages and met Frank in the hotel
- Ric had noodle dinner in New Umeda Food Street (新梅田食街)
- Ric stayed in Capsule Hotel
| Expenses on 30 Apr
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Fried chicken set lunch (800yen for Ric only) |
800.0 |
N/A |
| Bbq meat (340yen for Ric only) | 340.0 |
N/A |
| Soya milk in Kuromon Market (60yen for Ric only) | 60.0 |
N/A |
| Subway from Namba to Umeda (230yen for Ric only) | 230.0 |
N/A |
| Souvenir in Marushige (3333yen for Ric only) | 3333.0 |
N/A |
| Noodle dinner in New Umeda Food Street (1100yen for Ric only) | 1100.0 |
N/A |
| Capsule hotel and misc (2310yen for Ric only) | 2310.0 |
N/A |
01 May 2009
Osaka
Kansai Aiport
Hong Kong
- Checked out Hotel Sunroute Umeda
- Frank treated Ric a big big Japanese Beef Shabu-shabu lunch in Yodobashi
- In Yodobashi, Ric took photos for Japanese man and he showed Ric Jacky Chan's photo
- Bought cheap JR ticket for Kansai airport
- Both Ric and Frank were upgraded to business class
- Ric enjoyed diabetes meal and business class meal in the flight
| Expenses on 01 May
2009 |
Yen |
HK Dollar |
| Japanese beef lunch subsidise (228yen for 2) |
114.0 |
N/A |
| JR train from Osaka to Kansai airport (2220yen for 2) | 1110.0 | N/A |
