Takamatsu and Iya Valley Tour

Takamatsu and Iya Valley:
Day 1Your first evening on Shikoku will be spent in Takamatsu City; acity striving for modernity yet still holding on to the trappings ofthe Shōwa Era .
Facing the blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Takamatsu City
boasts some of the freshest seafood in Japan despite its smallsize, and this evenings dinner will testify to this fact. Dinner will
be at a local over the counter sushi bar utilizing the abundance offresh ingredients available for an authentic Japanese dining
experience.

Takamatsu and Iya Valley:Day 2
After breakfast, you will visit a masterful example of Japanesearchitecture and gardening at one of Japan’s most wellmaintained parks, Ritsurin Garden. Maintained and expanded onfor some 400 years by the rulers of Takamatsu, this garden
contains all that one would expect from a Japanese garden: teahouses, shady pines, seasonal flowers, and green ponds full of
happy koi fish.
However, the garden also holds on to some feudal trappings,
denoting it as a place of leisure for past rulers. These include
ponds and canals used for duck hunting, plants from far away
prefectures given as gifts by other feudal lords, and even an
artificial waterfall installed for the amusement of one local lord.
After visiting Ritsurin and grabbing lunch, the afternoon willconsist of a foray into the 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
Shiromineji (temple 81) rests in the cool shade of mountain slopes
and is surrounded by pines and the temple grounds are thick withmoss and plant life creeping between the statues and various
halls on the temple grounds. According to legend, Kūkai came tothis area and buried a Ćintamani Stone (a sort of jewel or orb thatcan grant wishes and prayers as well as open the mind toperfectly understand Buddhist scripture). From this a well sprung
up and flowed over the mountains and it is said to continually
give its water as supplication to the Buddha on behalf of all
suffering beings.
From Shiromineji, you will walk along the old pilgrimage trail that
leads to Negoroji (temple 82). The path winds through themountain hills and has some inclines but is especially beautiful
during late fall and the early mild Kagawa winter as the foliage
turns from gentle greens to fiery shades of red and orange.

Negoroji stands on a mountain slope and from the bell tower
offers a sweeping view of the Seto Sea and the suburbs and farms
surrounding Takamatsu City. The lofty pines that cover the hillside
constantly keep the temple grounds shaded and the abundantverdant moss covering stone and steps add to the mysterious
atmosphere of this temple.
Back in Takamatsu, you will have ample free time to relax anddiscover a bit of downtown Takamatsu on your own. We
encourage you to walk along the shopping arcade and explore theside alleys and streets. You never know what you might find.

Takamatsu and Iya Valley:
Day 3
After breakfast and hotel checkout, you will be visiting
Konpira Shrine. Across Japan there are numerous “Konpira”
and “Kotohira” Shrines but the one located here is theprincipal shrine of all of these in Japan.
The god of the shrine is Konpira-Gongen, and he is the godof merchants and sailors. In the past this shrine was the siteof a pilgrimage in its own right. Pilgrims would depart fromMarugame City and walk to the shrine to pray for mercantile
success and safety on the seas. To this day one can see theport where pilgrims arrived in Marugame City.
Located at the end of some 785 steps, the shrine overlooks
the sweeping rustic vistas of Kagawa’s countryside. The
stairway too is lined with all manner of shops and stands
selling everything from charms, pilgrimage gear, souvenirs,
and even udon flavored ice-cream. The stairway spectacle
truly makes the visit to this shrine.

After lunch, you will have a chance to step back in time byvisiting the Konpira Grand Theater.
This kabuki theater is the oldest in Japan having beenfounded in 1835 and still retains some old-fashioned
features, including a manually powered trapdoor that raises
performers from underneath the stage.
The day will end with transportation to a meticulously
restored collection of traditional Japanese mountain homes.
Here in the remoteness of the Iya Valley you can experience
firsthand the fulness of traditional rustic life.
After years of restoration, these homes recapture traditional
mountain living in Japan while maintaining modern features
without upsetting the experience. Your meal this evening
will also be in traditional Iya style, as it will be prepared by
the few remaining local “aunties” that still call the areahome.

Takamatsu and Iya Valley:Day 4
Due to the remote location, breakfast this morning will be selfprepared. On the previous day we will make a stop at a local shopor market so that you can purchase groceries. After this bit ofself-service, the day will be spent exploring the Iya Valley.
First, you will visit the Kazurabashi vine bridge. According to local
tales, the bridges were built by the defeated soldiers of the Tairaclan after their defeat in Japan’s earliest civil conflict, the Genpei
War. The bridges were made of vines so they could easily be cut
just in case the soldiers were pursued by their foe. Also, according
to local tales, the nearby waterfall was a gathering place for thesoldiers to lament their defeat with tales and songs of their oldvillages and homes.
This is not the only tragedy that has unfolded in this scenic valley.
More recently, large concrete parking garages and otherstructures have been built in an effort to promote tourism. In
addition to interrupting the scenic beauty of the area, thesebuildings also threaten the sensitive ecosystems of the valley andare evidence of good intentions having unintended
consequences. Definitely food for though along this journey.
The rest of your time in Iya Valley will be spent making soba forlunch under the caring eyes of local “aunties” as well as a visit to
the “Scarecrow Village.”
Practically abandoned, save for the scarecrows and their creator,
this village is exactly what its name implies: a village inhabited byscarecrows designed to resemble old friends and neighbors thatat one time inhabited this village. While charming and quirky, thisvillage is nonetheless bitter-sweet and calls attention to thepopulation issues that rural Japan faces.
This thought-provoking day will end once more in Takamatsu City.
For the evening we once more encourage you to set out andexplore the downtown streets for yourself.

Takamatsu and Iya Valley:
Day 5
After breakfast, today will be spent in Tokushima.
The first stop is Udatsu, a preserved block of traditional stylehomes that stand as a testament to this area’s former status andwealth.
In the past, Tokushima was well renown for producing indigo orexport all over Japan to be made into dye. As modernity crept in
however, this prosperity slowly dwindled leaving behind only
traditions and structures.
In addition to learning about the process and importance of theindigo harvest to this region, you will also have a chance to try
your hand at indigo dyeing. Though not originally known for thedyeing itself, Tokushima now has several workshops that offer theart as a trial experience.
Here you can dye your own handkerchief the old-fashioned wayand come away with a one of kind souvenir that is rich in history,culture, and tradition.

After your foray into the rustic past, it is back to Takamatsu foryour last night on the town.

Takamatsu and Iya Valley:
Day 6
After check out you will be brought to Takamatsu Station where
you can embark towards the next leg of your journey.

Aboard the Marine Liner, with the azure waters of the Seto Sea
rushing past we hope that you will remember what you’ve
accomplished over the past five days.
You’ve come face to face with the rich traditions and past of thissmall island called Shikoku, seen the sights, walked part of thepilgrimage, and interacted with the locals.
You’ve also seen the state of the island and how modernity, forbetter or for worse, affects this small corner of Japan. We hopethat the time here has been thought-provoking as well asenjoyable.
We hope that you will have a better perspective on why so manyof us think this island is so interesting, absurd, unique andeverything in between.