Posts

Showing posts with the label Matsuyama

Cycling Around Mount Fuji

Image
Note that this photo is a posed shot. You are supposed to cycling anti-clockwise around the lake! Haha If you are deciding between taking the train to Kawaguchiko or driving, you can check out the car rental prices at   https://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/user-guide/reservations.html   and train prices at   http://www.hyperdia.com/ It depends on whether you’re staying overnight at Kawaguchiko and the number of people travelling. Remember to add toll fees of about ¥4200 one way. We decided to rent a car but forgot about the toll fees so it ended up being more expensive. I’d say if you’re staying for one night and there are at least 3 of you, renting a car is a good option. If there are two of you and you want more freedom to move around (such as going to neighbouring places like Oshino Hakkai, Chureito Pagoda, Yamanakako etc) it is also better to rent a car. You should also be warned that traffic is congested upon leaving and arriving at Tokyo. We parked our car at ou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Japan Dec 2011 Day 5: Shimanami Kaido しまなみ海道 in Imabari 今治

Image
We took a limited express JR train from Matsuyama to Imabari 今治 (about 25 min) and changed to a local JR train one stop away (4 min) at Hashihama for the pick-up to Sunrise Itoyama サンライス絲山 bicycle terminal which I had called earlier to book in my very broken Japanese (reservation is by Japanese only). You may also take a local JR train directly to Hashihama (about 1 hour). When we arrived, we were a little worried that we may have got the station wrong because it was a deserted train station with no train master. Other than an old lady and us, there was no other human being LOL. I called them again and was told that the pick-up is on the way. We heaved a sigh of relief when we saw the van =) After a short ride, we arrived at Sunrise Itoyama, where you can get a splendid view of the Kurushima Kaikyo 来島海峡 and rent a bicycle. A rental bicycle costs JPY500 each with a JPY1000 deposit that will you will get back if you return the bicycle at the same place where you rented it. Serious cy...
Post a Comment
Read more

Japan Dec 2011 Day 4: Matsuyama 松山 in Ehime 愛媛

Image
An almost 4-hour JR train ride from Tokushima 徳島 via Takamatsu 高松 brought us to Matsuyama 松山 in Ehime 愛媛 , our last stop in Shikoku 四国 . We took the anpanman train from Takamatsu to Matsuyama and I was very trilled to eat the cute ekiben! =) To get to Matsuyama castle 松山城 , take a ride (about 10-min) on streetcar No. 5 outside Matsuyama station, going towards Dogo Onsen 道後温泉 and stop at Okaido 大街道 . Walk up a small street away from Okaido to the ropeway station. You may choose to go up either on the ropeway or lift but I strongly recommend the lift (unless you have small kids which is too bad for you haha) as it is way more fun and exciting! After visiting the castle, you may return to Okaido streetcar stop where you alighted to take the same street car for another about 10 min to Dogo Onsen. Once you arrive, you can't miss the cuckoo clock and the busy street leading up to the big bath house, which is the model for the one in Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Spirited Away. ...
Post a Comment
Read more