[Trip Report] Shikoku (18 Oct - 1 Nov 2014)

[evilerniex]

Itinerary
18 Oct (Nil) - SIN -> KUL -> KIX
19 Oct (Wakayama) - Cat Stationmaster, Wakayama Castle
20 Oct (Matsuyama) - Kimiidera, KIX -> MYJ
21 Oct (Matsuyama) - Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen
22 Oct (Shikoku Karst) - Shikoku Karst
23 Oct (Uwajima) - Mount Ishizuchi
24 Oct (Imabari) - Uwajima city, Cape Sada, Matsuyama -> Imabari
25 Oct (Takamatsu) - Shimanami Kaido, Imabari -> Takamatsu
26 Oct (Tokushima) - Konpirasa, Takamatsu city, Takamatsu -> Tokushima
27 Oct (Tokushima) - Naruto
28 Oct (Iya) - Mount Tsurugi
29 Oct (Tokushima) - Oboke gorge, Kazurabashi
30 Oct (Osaka) - Tokushima -> Osaka, Abeno Harukas
31 Oct (Osaka) - Umeda, Namba
1 Nov (Nil) - KIX -> KUL -> SIN

(xxxx) refers to my accommodation for that night

Accommodation
Wakayama: Toyoko-inn Wakayama-eki Higashi-guchi (6480yen per night twin sharing)
Matsuyama: APA Hotel Matsuyamajyo-Nishi (7000yen per night twin sharing)
Shikoku Karst: HimeTsurusho (Mezuru-so) (7500 per pax, include breakfast and dinner)
Uwajima: Uwajima Terminal Hotel (8100yen per night twin sharing)
Imabari: Hotel Crown Hills Imabari (10130yen per night twin sharing, include breakfast)
Takamatsu: Toyoko-inn Takamatsu Hyogomachi (9131yen per night twin sharing)
Tokushima: Toyoko-inn Tokushima Ekimae (6480-7695yen per night twin sharing)
Iya: Awa-no-sho (6800yen per pax, include breakfast and dinner)
Osaka: Hotel Kinki (8400yen per night western twin sharing)

Transport
Malaysia Airline: $534.20
Peach: 4260yen (one-way from KIX to Matsuyama)
Car rental in Mito: 18800yen (Mazda Demio for 22-24 Oct)
Car rental in Tsuchiura: 12960yen (Honda Fit for 28-29 Oct)
JR All-Shikoku pass: 7900yen (4-day)
Highway bus: 2800yen (from Tokushima to Osaka)

Expenses per pax
- Airfare: $534.20
- Accommodation: 57555yen
- Transport: 15880yen (car rental) + 7900yen (JR pass) + 2800yen (bus) + 4260yen (peach) = 30840yen
- Others (food, shopping, train fare, petrol etc): about $900
Total spent for trip: approx. $2500

 

[evilerniex]

Wakayama

Despite all the warning from friends against taking MH due to the 2 incidents this year, we decided to stick to MH due to the low price and excellent service. I took MH to Tokyo last year and was very impressed by their service. They did not disappoint this this time round as well, with super friendly and attentive air crew.

Our flight was at night, and arrived in KIX at 7.15am. The original plan was to head to Rinku town for some shopping and return for the 7.15pm domestic flight to Matsuyama. However, the domestic flight was super expensive if we were to fly on that day, so we decided to stay a night at Wakayama and take the flight on the next day.

 

[evilerniex]

First up is the stationmaster cat on the Kishigawa line. Aside from the main attraction: Tama, the cat stationmaster, Kishigawa line is also known for its various themed train. We purchased the day pass for 720yen so we can get on and off the train and see all the different themed trains.

We got onto the Omoden (toy) train at Wakayama station:

the interior of the train has displays cabinets with lots of toys on display

there are capsule machine too

cute seats on the train

I guess this is for the stationmaster to sleep in?

 

[cpuer]

Itinerary
18 Oct (Nil) - SIN -> KUL -> KIX
19 Oct (Wakayama) - Cat Stationmaster, Wakayama Castle
20 Oct (Matsuyama) - Kimiidera, KIX -> MYJ
21 Oct (Matsuyama) - Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen
22 Oct (Shikoku Karst) - Shikoku Karst
23 Oct (Uwajima) - Mount Ishizuchi
24 Oct (Imabari) - Uwajima city, Cape Sada, Matsuyama -> Imabari
25 Oct (Takamatsu) - Shimanami Kaido, Imabari -> Takamatsu
26 Oct (Tokushima) - Konpirasa, Takamatsu city, Takamatsu -> Tokushima
27 Oct (Tokushima) - Naruto
28 Oct (Iya) - Mount Tsurugi
29 Oct (Tokushima) - Oboke gorge, Kazurabashi
30 Oct (Osaka) - Tokushima -> Osaka, Abeno Harukas
31 Oct (Osaka) - Umeda, Namba
1 Nov (Nil) - KIX -> KUL -> SIN

(xxxx) refers to my accommodation for that night

Accommodation
Wakayama: Toyoko-inn Wakayama-eki Higashi-guchi (6480yen per night twin sharing)
Matsuyama: APA Hotel Matsuyamajyo-Nishi (7000yen per night twin sharing)
Shikoku Karst: HimeTsurusho (Mezuru-so) (7500 per pax, include breakfast and dinner)
Uwajima: Uwajima Terminal Hotel (8100yen per night twin sharing)
Imabari: Hotel Crown Hills Imabari (10130yen per night twin sharing, include breakfast)
Takamatsu: Toyoko-inn Takamatsu Hyogomachi (9131yen per night twin sharing)
Tokushima: Toyoko-inn Tokushima Ekimae (6480-7695yen per night twin sharing)
Iya: Awa-no-sho (6800yen per pax, include breakfast and dinner)
Osaka: Hotel Kinki (8400yen per night western twin sharing)

Transport
Malaysia Airline: $534.20
Peach: 4260yen (one-way from KIX to Matsuyama)
Car rental in Mito: 18800yen (Mazda Demio for 22-24 Oct)
Car rental in Tsuchiura: 12960yen (Honda Fit for 28-29 Oct)
JR All-Shikoku pass: 7900yen (4-day)
Highway bus: 2800yen (from Tokushima to Osaka)

Expenses per pax
- Airfare: $534.20
- Accommodation: 57555yen
- Transport: 15880yen (car rental) + 7900yen (JR pass) + 2800yen (bus) + 4260yen (peach) = 30840yen
- Others (food, shopping, train fare, petrol etc): about $900
Total spent for trip: approx. $2500

Very good budgeting bro.

 

[sereneong19]

tat cat stationmaster was disappointing...i went there only to find tama chan was in her "home" and the owners were not interested in getting her out.

 

[evilerniex]

We got off at Idakiso station to change train. Idakiso is the home of Ni-Tama, another cat stationmaster. However, Ni-Tama is not at home today as he is on covering duties at Kishi station. Tama is off duty on Sat, Sun and Mon, so on his day off, Ni-Tama will cover him at Kishi station. Otherwise, Ni-Tama is usually found at Idakiso station.

We saw a large group of Japanese tourist heading away from the station, so we decided to follow them as we have some time to kill before our next train arrives. Turns out they were heading to the hanger where Tama train is kept. Lucky us coz we get to see Tama train even though it doesn't run today.

 

[evilerniex]

Very good budgeting bro.

Thanks

tat cat stationmaster was disappointing...i went there only to find tama chan was in her "home" and the owners were not interested in getting her out.

yah... a bit disappointing. the cat is just sleeping in a glass tank.
I didn't even get to see Tama as he is off on the day I went, only saw Ni-Tama.

 

[evilerniex]

continued our way to Kishi station on the Ichigo (strawberry) train. Not as interesting as the toy train coz this train is just decorated with lots of strawberry pictures.

 

[evilerniex]

We arrived at Kishi station, home of Tama the cat station master. As mentioned earlier, Tama is not home, so we saw Ni-Tama instead.

Ni-Tama is sitting in a glass enclosure, and it is very hard to take photos without getting reflections on the glass

 

[kifo]

Seriously I think these kind of themed trains can be a bit gimmicky and are only created to pull in the tourists dollar. Don't even say the great train journeys like the Orient Express or the Hokutosei, these trips have nowhere near the same quality of experience as riding a SL (Steam Locomotive) train.

 

[evilerniex]

there is a small café at Kishi station, decorated with lots of photos and pictures of Tama chan

Kishi station itself is in the shape of a cat's face

We took the Kii-chan train back to Wakayama. Kii-chan is the mascot for some upcoming sporting event I think. Similar to the strawberry train, there isn't much in the train, just lots of pictures of Kii-chan

 

[evilerniex]

Seriously I think these kind of themed trains can be a bit gimmicky and are only created to pull in the tourists dollar. Don't even say the great train journeys like the Orient Express or the Hokutosei, these trips have nowhere near the same quality of experience as riding a SL (Steam Locomotive) train.

agree... other then the toy train, the other trains are quite disappointing

 

[sereneong19]

well...at least they made an effort to decor the train up and make it cute and pleasurable to ride on. unlike us...phhffttt...hard and cold, with lame stickers here n there to remind ppl not to do these and that.

 

[kifo]

well...at least they made an effort to decor the train up and make it cute and pleasurable to ride on. unlike us...phhffttt...hard and cold, with lame stickers here n there to remind ppl not to do these and that.

Hahah a bit unfair comparison. These neko trains were marketed as attractions. No way in any stretch of the imagination can our MRTs be seen as any sort of tourists attractions.

 

[sereneong19]

Hahah a bit unfair comparison. These neko trains were marketed as attractions. No way in any stretch of the imagination can our MRTs be seen as any sort of tourists attractions.

yea...i guess i am biased in this manner..hahah. back to the topic

 

[evilerniex]

after the train rides we went for lunch at Ide Shoten which is popular for its Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen. I usually dun plan for food and just eat whatever is there. I will just find out what is famous in that area, but i wun plan for any particular famous store. but this trip I have a foodie friend and he will find all the best eateries in the area.

It is about 2km from Wakayama station to Wakayama castle, but we decided to walk instead of taking the bus.

 

[evilerniex]

there was some night event going on at Wakayama castle, so we stayed till dark.

beautiful bamboo poles with candles inside

 

[evilerniex]

Kii-chan

 

[evilerniex]

breakfast at Toyoko-Inn

cute Halloween decorations in Toyoko-Inn

 

[evilerniex]

visited Kimiidera in Wakayama city.