|
The
Seto-Naikai ("the Inland Sea of Japan") dotted with more than 110
islands of all sizes Kotohira-gu Shrine, the center of worship for
common people
Situated in the northeastern part of Shikoku, Kagawa consists of
the Sanuki mountain range with a chain of 3,500 footers topped by Mt.
Ryuo of 1,060 meters above sea level, the Sanuki plains stretching out
to the north and the Seto-Naikai ("the Island Sea of Japan") dotted
with more than 110 islands(Shodo-shima Island etc.) of all sizes.
The prefecture has been known for the production of cotton, sugar and
salt called "Sanuki Sanpaku" (three whites) since early times.
Takamatsu City, which was a castle town in the feudal age, has
prospered as an important center of transportation for these products.
The Bisan-Seto sea area with a 690 kilometers long coastline fronting
on the Seto-Naikai and a variety of islands sit in the serene sea
boasts the natural views so beautiful that it was designated as
Japan's first national park in 1934. The Kotohira-gu Shrine, nicknamed
"Konpira-san" by people with a sense of intimacy, drew many visitors
to it as a center of worship for common people in the 17th through
19th centuries. Today, it is visited by about 4 million people a year.
Shodoshima Island, known as the place where olive raising started in
Japan, has beautiful valleys such as Choshikei and Kankakei, the
Shodoshima olive park that looks like somewhere along the shore of the
Mediterranean and many other places worth visiting.
Getting there
About 1 hour and 20 minutes to Takamatsu Arport from Tokyo Haneda
Airport; about 35 minutes from Kansai International airport. About 3
hours and 20 minutes to Okayama Station from Tokyo Station and about
40 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station by JR Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen
Line. About 1 hour from Okayama Station to Takamatsu Station by JR
Seto-Ohashi Line.
-
Kotohira-gu Shrine
Long 1,368 stone steps to the inner shrine - Protector god for
sailors familiarly called Konpira-san
The Kotohira-gu Shrine is located halfway up Mt. Zozu-san with
the altitude of 521 meters in the western Kagawa. It is familiarly
called Konpira-san. It enshrines the protector deity for sea-fares,
at the same time he protects people for health and against evils and
has been worshiped since olden times. In the Muromachi Period in the
14th century, pilgrimage to Konpira became a fad. The flow of
worshipers from all over Japan never ceases even today.
The approach way has 785 stone steps to the Main Sanctuary halfway
up Mt. Zozu-san, and 1,368 stone steps to the Inner Shrine. When you
stand in front of the Main Sanctuary, you can take a bird's eye view
of the Sanuki Plain. You can hire a step climbing palanquin to the
Daimon gate, halfway up the approach way.
There are, in the precincts, Main Sanctuary, Asahi-no-yashiro
Shrine, Omote-shoin(formal drawing room), Oku-shoin(inner drawing
room) and other historical sites as well as the Treasure house that
accommodates an 11-faced Kannon image and other treasures, and an
academic reference library that displays numerous donated arts and
crafts. At the festival celebrated in autumn, the Shinto rituals
such as the Konpira-mai dance that has been handed down to the
Kotohira-gu Shrine and Kemari, an old football game enjoyed at the
imperial court are performed for the public.
In the areas surrounding the approach way, there remain many
historic sites, such as the tall lantern that used to be the
landmark of Konpira pilgrimage and the Sayahashi Bridge with rare
structure of having no pier.
Getting there
1 hour and 20 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Takamatsu
Airport, and 35 minutes from Osaka Kansai International Airport.
Take a bus for 35 minutes from Takamatsu Airport to Takamatsu
Station.Take JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen for 3 hours and 20
minutes from Tokyo Station or for 40 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station
to Okayama Station. Then take JR Seto-ohashi Line for 1 hour from
Okayama Station to Takamatsu Station. Then take JR Dosan Line for 35
minutes from Takamatsu Station to Kotohira Station.
-
Shodo-shima Island
Island with mild climate on the Seto Inland Sea - Oddly shaped rocks
and monstrous rocks formed by erosion by rain and wind
The Shodo-shima Island is situated to the eastern tip of the
Bisan Islands and to the northeastern Takamatsu. It is the second
largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, just after the Awaji-shima
Island. This island, with its circumference of 126 kilometers, is
mild in climate suggestive of the Mediterranean climate. Cultivation
of citrus fruits is very popular, and furthermore known as the land
of the first culture of olives in Japan.
The highest peak is Mt. Hoshigajo with the altitude of 817 meters.
On the west side of this mountain, a flat plateau called
Utsukushi-no-hara expands. The edges of the plateau are sheer
cliffs, forming scenic views such as the Choshi-kei Valley. There
are rows of oddly shaped rocks and monstrous rocks formed due to
erosion by the wind and rain, and also the Kankakei Valley, one of
the three most beautiful valleys in Japan. You can walk on the
promenade, or enjoy the sight from the ropeway that runs between the
steep cliffs.
There are the Shodo-shima Folk Material Museum that displays the
history of the Island and many folk materials, in addition, the
Shodo-shima Olive Park with olive fields, herb garden, Greek style
windmill and other scenery that would be similar to the
Mediterranean coast. In the park, the Olive Memorial Hall gives the
explication related to the culture of olives, and you can enjoy herb
crafts there.
Getting there
Take JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Line for about 3 hours and
20 minutes from Tokyo Station, or for about 40 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station. Take a bus for about 30
minutes from Okayama Station to Shin-Okayama Harbor. Take a ferry
for about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Shin-Okayama arbor to Tonosho
Harbor.
-
Takamatsu
Castle town flourishing as the main gateway to Shikoku - Yashima and
Kokubundai that overlook the islands in the Seto Inland Sea
Takamatsu, facing the Seto Inland Sea, is situated at the north
of Kagawa at the northern Kagawa. It is the main gateway to the
Shikoku Island and a pivot of traffic with railways stretching all
over Shikoku from Takamatsu Station, and also has a ferry port to
the islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It is also the center of the
administration, economy and culture of Kagawa.
Local government and public agencies and shops line the Chuo-dori,
central and modern street that stretches to the south from the
Takamatsu Harbor. It is a modern city. It thrived as a castle town
of the Matsudaira Family in the Edo Period in the 17th century.
There still remain historic sites, such as the Tamamo Park built at
the site where the Takamatsu-jo Castle once stood, the Ritsurin Park
where 6 ponds and 13 artificial hills take you into the world of the
Japanese paintings, and the Honen-ji Temple that once was the family
temple of the lord of Takamatsu.
There is Yashima, a 293-meter high lava plateau that juts out to the
Seto Inland Sea. It is situated at Bisan-Seto famous for the
beautiful scenery of the islands and commands the best view in the
Seto Inland Sea. There is a go-round style promenade of 3
kilometers. The view from the top is magnificent, and attracts many
visitors to enjoy the sunset or the night view of Takamatsu. There
is the Yashima-ji Temple at the top, which is said to have been
built by a great Chinese priest Ganjin in 754, where display of the
pictures from the 12th century are open to public.
Getting there
About 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport, or about
35 minutes from Osaka Kansai International Airport to Takamatsu.
Take a bus for about 35 minutes from akamatsu Airport to Takamatsu
Station. Take JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen for about 3 hours and
20 minutes from Tokyo Station, or for about 40 minutes from
Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station. Then take JR Seto-ohashi Line
for about 1 hour from Okayama Station to Takamatsu Station.
-
Yashima
Lava plateau that juts out to the Seto Inland Sea - The best viewing
spot for islands in the Seto Inland Sea
Yashima is a peninsula of lava situated situated at the east to
Takamatsu in the northern part of Kagawa, that protrudes into the
Seto Inland Sea. It is a lava plateau with the altitude of 293
meters within the Setonaikai National Park. The name Yashima, or the
roof island, derives from its flat top part that looks like a roof.
Yashima is a famous battleground where a samurai general
Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune of the Genji clan defeated the enemy clan,
the Heike in the 12th century. You can see the old battleground from
the observation deck Dankorei at the mountaintop. From another
observation deck in Shishi-no-reigan, you can take the bird's eye
view of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Yashima is accordingly
called the best scenic spot for viewing the Seto Inland Sea.
You can challenge the famous clay throwing event. This event was
started after the episode that officers and soldiers of the Genji
clan who won the battle of Yashima threw their wooden headpieces
from the mountaintop and shouted in triumph. You throw a small,
unglazed clay plate to shake off the evil as far as you can. There
is also the Yashima-ji Temple with the main Buddhist image of seated
Senju Kannon in the principal temple painted in red, which is said
to have been built by a great Chinese priest Ganjin in the 8th
century.
Getting there
About 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to
Takamatsu Airport. About 35 minutes from Osaka Kansai International
Airport. Take a bus for about 35 minutes from Takamatsu Airport to
Takamatsu Station. Take JR Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen Line for
about 3 hours and 20 minutes from Tokyo Station, or for about 40
minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station. Then, take JR
Seto-ohashi Line for about 1 hour from Okayama Station to Takamatsu
Station. Take JR Kotoku Line for about 17 minutes from Takamatsu
Station to Yashima Station.
|
Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
