A natural and cultural road trip through Japan

The roads and highways in Japan are gateways to some unique places away from the general public. With huge landmarks scattered throughout the large island, Shikoku is the perfect location for taking summer road trips. My goal: four prefectures and four major points of interest in four to five days. Go!

Ehime (愛媛県)

The best way to kick start the trip is to drive the Shimanami Kaidou, a 60 kilometer series of seven bridges completed in 1999, that connects Onomichi-shi in the mainland to Ehime-ken in Shikoku. All of the bridges offer breathtaking views of sparsely populated islands in the Seto Inland Sea. 

Dougo Onsen (道後温泉)

Once over the Kurushima Kaikyou Oohashi, the world’s first three-part suspension bridge, you will approach point-of-interest number one: Dougo Onsen. The spa has hosted people for over 3,000 years and is considered to be the oldest and one of the most famous hot springs in Japan. It is a must-see for anyone who crosses over the bridges into Ehime.

On the way out of Ehime, a stop through Pokopen Town will send you back a little over 50 years. This small themed area harks back to Showa 30 (1955). Snack on old-fashioned candies and buy nostalgic toys in this tiny retro village hidden in the city of Oozu. 

Dougo Onsen 道後温泉: 790-0842 Ehime-Ken, Matsuyama-shi, Dougoyunomachi, 6-8 (〒790-0842 愛媛県松山市道後湯之町6-8); tel.: +81 (0)8 9943 8342; www.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp; open 6a.m.-9:30p.m., 10p.m. and 11:00pm, depending on the area; Cost: Adults ¥250-1,500; Children ¥120-750

Pokopen Town ポコペン: 795-8601 Ehime-ken, Oozu-shi, 690-1 (〒795-8601愛媛県大洲市690-1); tel.: +81 (0)8 9324 2111; pokopen.yokochou.com (Japananese only); www.travel-around-japan.com; open 10a.m.-3:30p.m. (Closed every Sunday through November)

Kochi (高知県)

Shimantogawa 四万十川

Shimantogawa is the longest river in Shikoku, stretching 196 kilometers throughout the island. As the second major landmark of the road trip, stop anywhere along the river as you make your way to the coast. You can walk or drive across any of the small "chinkabashis" that cross the river. The bridges are narrow so your car will seem like it is just big enough to fall off into the river. Hold on and go for it.

Hata Surf Dojo in Kuroshio-Chou (黒潮町)

In Kochi’s Caribbean-like blue ocean, start your morning with a surf at the third point-of-interest: Hata Surf Dojo. Whether you are a professional or just starting out, Bruce, the Australian surfing sensei at the dojo, can give you lessons or send you off with a board for the day. He will have you standing within two hours and you’ll leave with photos to prove it.

Hata Surf Dojo: Kochi-ken, Hata-gun, Kuroshiochou, Ukibuchi, 3570-1 (高知県幡多郡黒潮町浮鞭3570-1); tel. +81 (0)8 8043 3309, mobile. +81 (0)90 1576 4489; www.hatasurfdojo.com; open daily from May to November; two-hours lessons from 9:30a.m.-11:30a.m.; costs: Beginner’s Surfing School ¥5,000; Daily Board Rental ¥3,000; Half-Day Rental (3 hours) ¥2,000

Kagawa & Tokushima (香川県と徳島県)

There are plenty of places to stop along the way to your final landmark. Takamatsu-shi (高松市) in Kagawa-ken offers a castle in Tamamo Park, gardens in Ritsurin Park, and a waterfront shopping and dining area at Sunport Takamatsu. Hotels in the city are a great place to put up before heading out to Tokushima. Be sure to eat udon while in Kagawa, as the prefecture is famous for the noodles. As you enter the fourth prefecture, take a break at several waterfalls in Tokushima-ken. Some are more accessible than others and you may encounter signs with the Grim Reaper offering warnings. Have no fear and drive on. Waterfalls hidden in the forest are surprising highlights of the drive.

Naruto Whirlpools

The grand finale of the road trip is underneath the Oonaruto Bridge. The Naruto whirlpools are the strongest of their kind in Japan with normal speeds of 13-15 kilometers per hour, going up to 20 kilometers per hour at times. You can view the whirlpools overhead from glass windows in the floor of the Uzu no Michi walking path or you can enter them bow first on any number of boat tours offered nearby. A drive over the bridge will lead the way back to the mainland via Awaji-shima.

Waterfalls in Tokushima:

Todoro No Taki (轟の滝): Tokushima-ken, Kaifu-gun, Kauyou-chou, Hirai (徳島県海部郡海陽町平井); www.its-mo.com (Japanese only)

Hatago Taki (八多五滝): Tokushima-ken, Tokushima-shi, Hata-chou (徳島市八多町); www.awanavi.jp (Japanese only)

Amagoi No Taki (雨乞の滝): Tokushima-ken, Myozai-gun, Kamiyama-chou, Jin-ryo,  www.town.kamiyama.lg.jp　(Japanese only)

Naruto (鳴門): www.naruto-kankou.jp
Walking Path, Uzu no Michi: 722-0053 Tokushima-ken, Naruto-shi, Naruto-chou, Tosadomari Uraza Fukuike 65 (722-0053 鳴門市鳴門町土佐泊浦字福池65); www.uzunomichi.jp; Hours of Operation: March - September 9a.m.-5:30p.m. (last departure); Golden Week and Summer Vacation 8a.m.-6:30 p.m.; October - February 9a.m.-4:30p.m. (Closed on certain Mondays)
Boat Tours: cgi.naruto-kankou.jp (Japanese only); Hours of Operation: 8a.m.-5p.m.; Cost: Adult ¥1,500, Child ¥750

Other Road Trip Ideas

Here are a few other road trip suggestions in west Japan and beyond.

Nagasaki. Head through Yamaguchi-ken stopping at the Kintai Bridge and Iwakuni Castle. Break for ramen in Fukuoka and drive to Futamigaura on the coast before heading to Nagasaki.

Naoshima. Take a one or two-day car trip out to Naoshima, an island famous for art.

Other Service Information:
Driving Maps: global.w-nexco.co.jp; www.canoekan.com (Japanese only)