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Visiting or living in Shikoku is something special for this island has always been the spirtual sanctuary of the Japanese people . No other place in people from all over the country .
They have often spent more than 60 days walking along the whole circuit of the eighty - eight temples that compose the longest , oldest and most popular pilgrimage in Japan .
Even those who have arrived here in weariness of life , in unhappiness or weak health , have usually left the island with a lighter heart , more enlightened , and in many cases in improved health .
Thought today tje island is quite accessible and travering around it can br very easy , some of the eighty - eight temples still remain very hard to reach .
This pilgrimage circling the island is nationally known as 0 - Shikoku - san , showing that " Dear old Shikoku Pilgrimage " is synonymous with this island and provides sanctuary to the soul of Japan . The scenes along the Shikoku Pigrimage correspond well to what Shikoku offers - the Seto Inland Sea , the Uwa - kai Sea , the - Pacific Ocean , the green mountains that crown a large part of the island , cosy little towns and middle- sized cities that fringe the coasts .
Its climate is mild ; the seas are bountiful ; the land is fertile . Naturally local people have been content with thir bressed island , even if it has remained underdeveloped since the 8 th century . Until then the northrn coast of Shikoku was among the first areas to enjoy civilzation in Japan , as proved by so many archaeolgical findings .
Remote as it was for many centuries , however , Shikoku did
not stand aloof but oberved , movements on the Inland Sea as an
artery of Japan 's cultural , political and economic development
. On the other hand , shikoku 's unique attractions such as the
Shikoku Pilgrimage , Kompira worship and the Dogo Onsen Hot Spring
spa have always drawn a large number of people from the capitals
and other partsof people from the capitals and other parts of
th e main island of Honshu and neighbering Kyusyu .
Naturally those visitors brought something new with them each time , just as refugees and exiles from the capitals added color to the culture they brought here was carefully preserved or developed even long after being forgotten in its homeland even long after beinb forgotten in its home land - language , festivals , arts and teachnques . These cultural assets now peculiar to Shikoku have added another dimension rewarding travelers to this island .
A new type of attraction in Shikoku is the fruit of modern technology that the waves of development have finally brought here in the 1980 ' s and 90 ' s - the colossal bridges connecting Shikoku with the main island , pleasure resorts , theme parks , museums , skyline drives and relatively inexpensive golf course . So the charm of Shikoku can rightly be called an exquisite coexistence of traditionand modernity , nature and art .
Last but not least is a spiritual climate of Shikoku that has
produced people like the father of the Shikoku Pilgrimage , who
is ofen credited as a father of Japanese culture , the men who
turned out to be most instrumental in carrying out the modernizathon
of Japan , opening Japan ' s door to the world as an independent
nation . They were all rare cosmopolitans in Japanese history
. There most have been something inspiring on this island .
We fope this guidebook will help you enjoy Shikoku , and Japan herserf seen through Shikoku , finding inspiration of your own by traveling around this small but great island . Bon voyage !
Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, which has traditionally been calld the gateway to shikoku, with the whole land of the prefecture jutting out into the Seto Inland Sea like a porch.
JR takamatsu Station next to Takamatsu Harbor is the terminal of the Kotoku Line for Tokushima Pref., the Yosan Line for Ehime Pref. and the Dosan Line Kochi Pref., while serving as the terminal of Kotoden trams to and from Kotohira , the seat of 'Kompira-san'.
The New Takamatsu Airport handless non-stop filights to and from Seoul, Korea.
Another place in Takamatsu Appropriate as a gateway to Shikoku is the Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum that features not only the famous historical literatures called Heike Monogatari but also about 50 great historical figures closely associated with Shikoku or native to shikoku.
Takamatsu became the capital in 1587 with the advent of Lord I koma I asgovernor of Sanuki Province. The castle he built on the harbor was succeeded by 4generations of his descendants, and them by 11 generatinos of Matsudaira lords, governing Takamatsu Province with a fief of 120,000 koku.
One ninth of the former castle ground is preserved as Tamamo Koen Park across the street from JR Takamatsu Station. The donjon is gone, but two of the 15 turrets and Muzute Gomon Gate from the 17th century (Important Cultural Properties) survived the air raid in 1945. Adomission:100.
Traditionlly the popular sightseeing sports in Takamatsu are Ritsurin Koen Park near downtown and the Inland Sea. They are accessible by bus or tram, with terminals at Takamatsu Chikko just opposite JR Station.
30 minutes walk from JR Takamatsu is the main strret of downtown Takamatsu, and leads to the main gate to Ritsurin koen Park, A National Spcial Scenic Sport. This spacious garden laid out with shapely mounds, cool ponds and about 160 varieties of trees and flowers a classic example of a Jaspanese garden or even a Chinese Taoist paradise fit fir meditation.
Originally it belonged to a local warlord, and then to Lord Ikoma. When it was transferred to the Matsudairas, they spent five generations developing it into a larger stroll-type garden for their villa. Seasonal charms of flowers and blossoms such as ume (Japanese plum blossomes) in February, camekllias in March, cherry blossoms in April, wisteria and azaleas in August, and Japanese bush clover in September, and brilliant maple leaves in November add to the pleasure of strolling.
Kikugetsu-tei , one of the pond-side teahouses, was originally one of the matsudairas formal buildings. The museum just inside the main gate houses a variety of mostly local handicrafts. There is a zoo, too, inside the gate. Open daily. Admission to the park; About 300 yen .
Bus; 30 minutes ride from Chikko to the terminal (Kotoden Bus for Yashima-sanjo or Yashima Hillotop). Tram+ cable; 30 minutes tram ride from Chikko to Yashima (shido-sen Line) + 5minutes cable-car ride.
Yashima, a pine-wooded tableland to the northeast of downtown Takamatsu, is one of the world's rare lavamesas, about 290 m high, 3 km wide, jutting 5 km out into the sea.
The hilltop, overkooking the archipekabo of the Inland Sea, features Yashima-ji an aquarium and observatories all Innked by forest promenades.
One of the observatories, dankorei commands a view of the inlet fringed with memorials to the Gempei Yashima Bettle (the second last battke in Gempei War fought between the two rival cans, the Minamotos and the Tairas).
Once a British poet, Edmund Blunden, visited Yashima and wrote a poem that was engraved on a stone here at Dankorei observatory;
Lake a long roof, men say, and will they say,
This hill op warrior ghosts surmounts the plain...
In 794 Kyoto become the capital of Japan and it enjoyed peace for about 350 years (811-1155) - the longest peace Japan has ever attained in her history.
The kast 30 years of this period, however, were far from peaceful. In 1156 the first battle took place in the capital, thus opening up a new era dominated by martial emotions. Two martial clans - the Minamoto and Taira clans - began - to acquire greater and greater influence in politics through fighting against each other in the name of the Emperor or the Ex-Emperor.
In 1159, the Tairas succeeded temporariy in staving off the Minamotos. The 20 years that followed saw the Tairas rise to increasingly control the Imperial Family, inviting animosity from the reigning Emperrs, the Ex-Emperors, to say nothing of the Minamotos in exile.
In 1181 the patriarch of the clam Taira no Kiyomori died just when the Tairas faced more battles against the Minamotos, who were gradually consolidathing their power.
In 1183 the Tairas were driven from the Capital along with the 6 - year -old Emperor antoku and his mother, who was Kiyomoris daughtar. They wandered far in search of supprters, while fighting losing battles.
Now in 1185, Minamoto no Yoshitsune attacked the remaining in the westermost corner of the Inland Sea, where the proud Taira finally fell, the noblewomen casting themselves into the sea with the child Emperor Antoku.
Thus the age of ancient noblity yielded to the age of shoguns (1185-1867).
Yashima-ji Temple treasures in its museum a folding screen depicting the Gempei no Kassen Battles. (See p . 42) The bell in the belfry, cast in Kyoto in 1223, was dediccated here for the repose of the defeated Tairas. But no one can strike the bell, and invoke the ghosts of the Tairas.
On the last weekend in March the Gempei Yashima Festival is held, whose highlight is the Warriiors Pageant.
It was an insurrection caused by the discord between Emperor Goshirakawa and Ex-Emperor Sutoku to die a miserable death 8 years later . His ashes were buried at Temple 81. In1184 the court elecated him to shinto deity to placate his ghost.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-89) : By bringing about victory in the civil war, Yoshitsune had greatly helped Minamoto no Yoritomo, his elder brother , who in 1192 was to establish the first Shogunate at kamakura. But yoshitsune had to spend the rwst of his life escaping Yorimoto , until four years later he killed himself. his reagic life and death was so appealing to japanese sentiment that he has taken on heroic proportion in kabuki, Noh and Joruru plays, based on what is Yoshitsune Literature.
Very few japanese visit Yashima without being remided of an episode shown in the picture above:
It was on the afternoon of Febrary 19, 1185 , that Minamoto no Yoshitsune mouted another surprise attack against the Tairas at the then yashima Island. Frightened by the imagined immensity of enemy forces , the Tairas jumped into thir boats and sailed off. A fierce battle lasted for hours.
Now the sun was setting. Both sides began to retreat , when a fair vessel parted from the Taira lefiona and stopped about 80 m from the beach . them a beautiful lady apprared from the cabin, produced a pole with a bringht red fan on its top and beckoned to the puzzled warriors on its top and beckoned to the puzzled warriors on the shore.
"what does she is inviting one of us to shoot the fan . Or she may be inviting you to came out onto the front line for her archers", said his attendant ." Then a young man called Nasu no Yoichi appeared on horseback with bow and allow in his hands. The north wind was strong. the boat was tossing up and down. The fanpainted with the golden sun at its center was fluttering on the pole .
All the Tairas in the boats and all the Mibamotos on the shore were wathing Yoichi. What would he do ? Would he succeed?
Yoichi rode into the water as faras he cold. But it was still about 70 m to the target. He closed his yeys and prayed. Then the wind fell for a moment. He shot. The arrpw pierced though a little above the rivet. The fan, flying up a moment or two, came floating down, glittering in the setting sun. There was great applause from both sides.
Then a main in armor appeared inthe same boat. He begin to dance an elegant dance perhaps un genuine apprecianthon of Yoishi's archery . Then Yoishi got another order and shot down the dancing man, too. Same said ,"Good shot!" But others said, "Not fair." The Tairas were silent this time. Was it a precursor of their demise? Two months later, the Tairas finally fell.
3 minutes walk after leaving the bus at Toshogu-mae.
3 minutea walk from the cable -car station.
This is an open - air museum laid out at the foot of Yashima Plateau. About 20 ord rural buildings from various parts of Shikoku have been ressembled here, including a Farmers Kabuki Theater , peasants houses , a fisherman's house , a suger mill , a shed for steaming mulberry bark to make paper , and workshops for making say making soy sauce and so on. There is a reprica of kazura - bashi from Nishilyama-son , too. Open daily :8:30-16:30. Admission : 500 yen.
On may 5 , people including children from Shidoshima Island , from which the Kabuki Teater came here , stage an annual perfomance of their tradithional farmer's kabuki.
Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum
3 minutes walk from Nihon Tabako-mae Bus Stop after 10 minutes ride from JR Takamatsu .( Kotoden Bus : Asahimachi Line )
30 minutes walk from JR Takamatsu Station.
Japan's largest wax doll museum . The first floor is dedicated to the 41 dolls of history who have been closely associated with Shikoku . The one of Kobo Daishi (p.190-199 ) in his nyujo (p.195) has its own corner as a special exhibition .
The oter dolls include: Sakamoto Ryoma , Nakaoka Shintaro , Nakahama manjiro, Wenceslau de Moraes, Inokuma Genichiro, Takahama kyoshi , Ninomiya Chuhachi , Setouchi Jakucho (literature : 1922 - ) ,Makino Tomitaro , Yasuoka Shotaro(literature : 1920-) , Kagawa Toyohiko(religion , social work , literature : 1909-) , Abe Yoshishige (philosophy ,education : 1883-1966) , Nambara Shigeru (philosophy , education : 1888-1974 ) Masaoka Shiki , Kotoku Shusui Nakae Chomin , Kikuchi Kan ( literature: 1888-1948) , Manabe Hiroshi (illustration: 1932-) , Yoshida Shigeru, Itagaki Taisuke .
The second floor exhibits about 300 dolls portraying the 17 scenes from the Heike Monogatari or The Tale of the Tairas. the Saga , composed of a large number of revealing episodes , was and art . Some of the most famous scenes took place at the foot of Yashima Plateau at the northeastern tip of takamatsu .
One hi -tech doll seen at the end of the exhibition is what was called biwa hoshi or a blind biwa - playing bard who traveled around chanting The Tale of the Taira Family even before it was written down in the first half of the 13 th century . Its opening passage is especially famous for its Buddhist idea of impermanence that goes as follows:
The bell of Gion Munastery tolls . The impermanence of all worldly things . The color of sal blossoms shows the truth that Even the most prosperous invitably decline. The proud will fall like a dream on a spring night. The valiant must perish , too , as frail as dust blown by a puff of wind .
The doll begins talk and sings the first line of the opening passage when it senses visitors approaching . open daily . Adomission 1200 yen . (High shoolstudents 800 yen . children 600 yen )
Noshida Shigeru (1878-1967) , Prime Minister from 1946 to 1956 , is credited with giving Japan direction through her most difficult times after the war .
The kojima -Sakaide Roate , poplarly known as the Seto ohashi Bridge , was completed in 1988 . It is the world's longest two -tiered bridge system , stretching 13.1 km from Kojima to Sakaide , connecdting the 5 islands in between .
The 11 bridges in the system include 3 suspension bridges , 2 twin cable-stayed , 1 truss and 5 viaducts. The upper level accomodates a motor expressway of four lanes , and the kiwer contains Japan Railway 's system for a dual track ordinary line at present and for a dual track oridinary line at present and for a dual track ordinary line at present and for a dual track superexpress line at in the future .
The first person to air the idea of the Seto Ohasho Bridge was Okubo jinnnojo (1849-1891) , a Kagawa native , who at that time was constructing the first Shikoku Roads to link all the prefectructures on the island . In 1889 Junnnoni disclosed his dream in a congratural Parliament at the opening ceremony of the first railroad in Shikoku between Marugame and kotohira .
Exactly a century later , the Bridge came into being after decades of planning and ten years of construction 13 million workers involved ( with the loss of 17 lives ) , and costing 1,190,000 million yen.
Surprisingly , Jinnnojo had also foretold man ' s traveling to his own making , which went as follows ; I 'll tell you , dear , don't laugh at me , a hundred years from now , I'll be seeing you , dear, will be that mountaintop over there !
One of the best points to view the Bridge is Yashima Island 1,a central pier of the Bridge . It also serves as a sightseeing outpost for the Shikoku and Inland Sea Districts , providing 2 parking areas for those who like to enjoy bridge - viewing , seafood and shopping .To Yashima ; 25 minutes from JR Sakaide by bus.
Another is a rotating tower 132 m tall at the Seto Ohashi Memorial Palk at the foot of the Bridge in Sakaide . The Memorial Hall provides all kinds of information on the Bridge and its construction, while the park itself applies modern art to to stone and water. Adomission to the tower ; 800 yen. Adomission to the Hall ; 510 yen .
To the Seto Ohashi Memorial Park ; 10 minutes from JR Sakaide by shuttle bus ( free of charge ) .
The Gold Tower near JR Utazu Station offers a morvelous view , too . The 144 m tower made of half - mirror glass is the tallest of its kind in Japan , housing the Sky Lounge , restaurants , stores and a World Toilet Musium . Open daily . Admission to the tower ; 800 yen / 1000 yen ( Toilet Museum included ). To Gold Tower ; 8 minutes walk from JR Utazu. Bridge - viewing cruises are available from Keihan Fisherman 's Wharf on Yoshima Memorial park and Sakaide Port (1000 - 1,500 yen )
25 minutees train ride from JR Takamatsu . To the Castle : 15 minutes walk from JR Marugame .
The three - storied donjon on top of a green hill crown the city of Marugame . When a Marugame Province of 53,000 koku was formed in 1641 , an old castle was reconstructed and the castle seen today dates back to 1660 , one of the few ganuine Edo Period castles remaining in Japan .
The present - day Marugame is famous for uchiwa or round paper fan manufacturing producing about 90 % of thes fans in Japan .
The Castle Park , 15 minutes walk from JR Marugame , is surrounded by moats , featuring the donjon , a couple of main gates ( all Important Cultural Properties ) and walls from the 17 th century . The 4 - level in Japan , also contribute to the beauty of the castle .
0 - shiro Matsuri Castle Fastival is held on the 3 rd weekend in May .The Inokuma Genichiro Marugame Art Museum adjacent to JR Marugame Station is dedicated to Inokuma Genichiro ( 1902 - 93)
Banshoen Garden buolt in 1688 as a villa for the Lord of the Province is 10 minutes drive from downtown Marugame . One of the galleries there houses Chinise ceramic ware and a collection of Iranian earthware and glassware dating back to 2500 B.C . through the 1200 ' s A.D. Open daily . Adomission to the Galleries ; 1000 yen (Students : 600 yen , Chirdren :400 yen )
10 minutes walk from Nakazu -bashi Bus Stop after 10 minutes ride from Marugame Toricho near the castle . ( kotosan Bus for Zentsuji via Tadotsu )
(From JR kotohira ) 5 minutes to JR Zentsuji by ordinary train . (From JR Takamatsu ) 40 minutes to JR zentsuji by express train 8 Dosan Line ) .
25 minutes walk from JR Zentsuji along the street in front of the station.
Zentsuji Temple is known as the birthplace of kobo Daishi kakai . kukai is one of the greatest geniuses Japan has ever produced . He made a great contribution in remolding Japanese religion , while making unppralleled achievments as a scholar , poet artist , calligrapher , sculptor architect , educator , social worker , inventor , discoverer and civil engineer .
The giant camphor trees near the five - storied pagoda in the East Precinct are said to have already been several hundred years old when kukai was born in 774 . The Mieido Hall in the West Precinct at the foot of the green hill is the Birthplace.
Visitors may traverse the basement of the hall along a pitch - dark path . This introspective journey is called kaidan - meguri . The entrance fee includes the admission to the Museum . ( 300 yen )
The utter blackness along the path symbolizes the darkness of the human mind or human ignorance of the Truth > The notice says : " Go along with the palm of your lift hand pressed against the lft - hand wall . The wall , painted with mandalas , angels and lotus frowers , is the Buddha 's Way . You will be safely guided as long as you are on His Way . "
After the kaidan - meguri , arrows guide you to the Museum . The temple treasures exhibited thre include a small clay pagoda kukai molded at 7 , a bowl used by kukai as a mendicant priest , a robe and a ritual stick ( a National Treasure ) of Indian make , both presented to kukai by his Chinese master Abbot Hui -kuo , and a sutra scroll ( a National Treasure ) with each of the Chinese characters accompanied by a little Bodhisattva on a lotus pedestal ; kukai did the calligraphy , his mother the painting.
Shorinji Kenpo is not merely a sport or martial art , but a religious exercise to approach the Buddha ' s spirit in the principles of " self - realization " and "help each other . "
It was started by So Doshin ( 1911 - 1980 ) in 1947 . Two years before he had been repatriated from Manchuria , the northeastern part of China that " Imperialist Japan " held for 13 years till the end of Wald War 2 . Doshinhad seen how people could be dehumanized in the dire extremities of war and its aftermonth. "Developing good humanity is the only way to save Japan and the world at large , " he keptsaying to himself . Doshin, who had learnedvarious martial artsin China , pondered over the Zen philosophy of Bodhidharma himself was said to have practised about 1 ,500 years ago when he brought Zen from India to China . Finally , Doshin succeded in restoring and reorganizing the whole body of that art , which he named Shorinji Kenpo . Now its Headquarters has more than 100 branches in 23 countries in the world .
The Shorinji Kenpo Headquarters (0877) 33 - 1010 is on the southehern slope of Tadotsu Station .
The Bonhidharma Festival is held on the 1st Sunday in october.
[ From JR Takamatsu to JR Kotohira ] 60 minutes by shuttle train (Dosan Line) [From Takamatsu Chikko ] 70 minutes train ride to Kotohira ( Kotoden ) . [ From JR Okayama ] 67 minutes train ride by special express. 2 hour to Kotoden Kotohira Station by Seto Ohashi Kosoku Bus. Especially Noted Product : Ittobori woodcarving .
Kotohira - gu a gureat shrine complex , of ten affectionately called Kompira - san , has been a celebrated destination for pilgrims and torists for hundreds of years .
According to legend , Kompira -san came into being when Kumbhira - a guarden god of Buddhism , originally a Hindu crocodile god of the Ganges , was beckoned by a Buddhist priest of Matsu -ji , a thousand - years came to be considered a Great Incarnathion of the Buddha himself .
But the temple remained a Shinto shrine in part , with Omononushi - no - mikoto , the native god of fertility , medicine and commerce also summoned from the mythological land of Izumo . Omonoshi - no - mikoto ,along with Daikoku - ten reprrsenting Chinese folk religion , were then identified with the Indian god Kumbhira ( Kompira ) , a case of religious internationalism in classical Japan .
In 1868 Buddhism and Shitoism were separated by law , and omononushi became the chief gad along with the deified Emperor Sutoku who had been enshrined here in the 15 th century . Yet "Kompira Worship " continued to flourish , for the Hindu dety had already enshrined himserf deep in the hearts of the Japanese people .
There are 785 stone steps to climeb before one reaches the Main Shrine . Fortunately its route consists first of a colorful street of souvenir shops and then of a quiet promenade lined with gardens , shrines and tablets bordering the approach were all dedicated by Konpira worshippers nationwide , as were the stone steps themselves.
Many of the shine treasures in the Homotsukan Museum , the Gakugeikan Museum , Omote - shoin and Oku - shoin Art Museum were offered by famous artists , poets , lords of Provinces and characters of historical renown . In the 17 th century the Tokugawa Shogun , too , dedicated a stipend of 330 koku to the shrine , augmenting its prosperity .
Asahi - no - yashiro Shrine in the Buddhist style is the former Main Hall . The present Main Hall is a few more flights of stone steps above .
Emado Hall near the Main Shrine is a gallery for votive tablets and offerings mainly from seamen . In March 1889 there was offerd a photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York - the Eighth Wonder of the World at that time - dedicated by a Japanese acrobatic troupe that had completed by a Japanese acrobatic troupe that had completed a tour around the U.S.A. So it is thought that okubo Jinnojo seeing the photograph here , was inspired to envision the Seto Ohashi Bridge that he proposed in May that same year .
About an hour 's walk to Okusha or the Inner Sanctuary further along the path through primeval forest is enjoyable to nature - lovers , thought one has to climb 583 more stone stone steps.
On the night of October 10 , grand procession starts at the Main Hall at 9 p.m. , slowly march ing down the 785 stone steps into the downtown streets as far as 0 - tabisho , the Sacred Destination . This is the highlight of the 3 - day Grand Festival of this time - honored shrine .
Izumo : An ancient city in Shimane Pref . on the Japan Sea ; one of the political and religious centers during the mythological age.
At the foot of the mountain ther stands Kompira Oshibai Kabuki Theater the oldest Kabuki theater remaing in Japan . A guide shows visitors around the building including the preitive but ingenious device to oprate the rotating stage. Open daily except Tuesdays . Adomission ; about 300 yen. In kabuki Season in mid April or May , first class Kabuki actors are invited from Tokyo or Osaka to perform under almost the same conditions as their ancestors did in the 17 th trough 19 th centuries . Fir further information about the dates and tickets call the office of JR Shikoku in Takamatsu : (0878 )23 - 0973
To JR Kanonji from JR Takamatsu : 70 minutes by shuttle train . To the Park : 20 minutes walk across downtown Kanonji
Kotohiki Koen Park featues a pine - wooded stand beach and a shady hill with the ancient shrine Kotohiki Hachiman - gu at the top and two of the 88 Temples - Jinne- in and kannon -ji - at the foot .
One should not miss the Zenigata hugecoin known as Kan - ei - tsuho carved about 2 m deep in the while sand . It is best viewed from a hilltop observatort behind the Hachiman - gu Shrine . Its broad rim looks completly circular from ther , but in reality it is elliptic with a circumference of 345m . When and how it came into being is a mystery , providing a subject for endless debate among local people .
( From Takamatsu Port ) 35 minutes by speedboat to Tonosho Port . Especially Noted Products : olives , olive goods , soy sauce and somen noodles .
Shodoshima Island is the second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea . It is nicknamed " Olive Island " as olive saplings were succussfully transplanted in 1908 from Greece to the soil of this island of all places in Japan .
In spring and autumn a great number of pilgrims arrive here to make a tour around the 88 Sacred places of this island . For further informathion , call the Shodoshima Reijo - kai ( 0879 ) 62 - 0227 .
In summer , Futagoura Beach , Silver Beach and many other beach es are favored by sunbaithers , swimmers , campers wind - surfers and water skiers. To Futagoura Beach : 10 minutes Bus Stop .
Annual sports evens that attract a large number of participants are as follows : Olive Half - Marathon 4 th Sunday in May . Triathlon early in September. Turtle Full -Marathon Lust Sunday in November To apply , call ( 0879) 82 -4834
Rental cycles are availble at the ports of Tonosho and Sajate . ( About \ 1000 - 1300 a day )
Tooshoo Port provides a starting point for all the sightseeing routes on this island . The local bus servises are not frequent , but the sightseeing buses cover the main sports of the island in 4 to 7 hours .Among the 3 courses offerd ,
the C course ( About \ 3800 , excluding lunch and admission fees ) is the most recommendable .
It takes 5 and a harf hours , biginning with Choshikei Ravine and its Monkey Reserve , followed by kakakei Ravine , a National Scenic Spot , known for
