9D6N Discover Shikoku

HIGHLIGHTS

Assemble dates:

06 MAY 2024

13 MAY 2024

Price: S$4,488

Tax & Fuel surcharge: S$530*

Unique Experiences:

Matsuyama Castle by Ropeway, Searing Bonito over Burning Straw Experience, Strawberry Picking Experience, Oboke Gorge Cruise, Udon Making Experience (lunch), Naruto Whirlpool Cruise

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

The Best Spot of “Niyado Blue” Nikobuchi Abyss, Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden, Monet Marmottan Garden, Hirome Market, Katsurahama Beach, Ryugado Cave, Iyano Kazurabashi Bridge, Angel Road, Olive Park, Hishionosato Town and Marukin Soy Sauce Museum, Ritsurin Park

Special Gourmet Delights:

Sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner Japanese Kaiseki or buffet in Ryokans/Hotels, local delights at the restaurant

Hotel/Ryokan Stays:

02 nights authentic Japanese Onsen/Ryokan/Hotel at Dogo Onsen & Kotohira. 04-nights centrally located hotel in Kochi & Shodo Island/Takamatsu

ITINERARY

Day 1 Assemble at Changi Airport for Check in

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JL435 HND-MYJ 1225-1355

Day 2 Matsuyama – Dogo Onsen 松山 - 道後温泉

Hotel: Yamatoya Honten or similar / Japanese room

Meal: Meal on Board / - / D

Upon arrival at Matsuyama Airport, visit Matsuyama Castle by Ropeway ((松山城). One of Japan’s 12 original castles, the complex and interesting castle is located on Mt. Katsuyama, giving a bird’s eye view of the city and Seto Inland Sea. Then, transfer to Dogo Onsen for hotel check in. tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel restaurant.

Day 3 Dogo Onsen – Ino Town – Kochi 道後温泉 - いの - 高知

Hotel: JR Clement Inn Kochi or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit the best spot of “Niyodo Blue” Nikobushi Abyss (仁淀ブルー). Nikobuchi deep water is a waterfall basin where a mystical blue color can be seen depending on the time of day the sunlight comes in, and the angle and strength of the light. The Niyodo River, which flows through almost the center of Kochi Prefecture, is a clear stream selected as a river with the best water quality eight times in the past 10 years by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. After that, experience a Kochi specialty, Searing Bonito over Burning Straw. The aromatic dish is smoky and melts in your mouth, a flavor that is totally different from the typical sashimi! Lunch [Bonito "Katsuo no Tataki" Set] will be served at a local restaurant before making our way to Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden (高知県立牧野植物園). The garden honors the late Dr. Tomitaro Makino who is known as the father of Japanese botany. Covering over 8 hectares, there are over 3,000 plant species, ranging from rare exotic flowers to wild flora that can only be found locally. Some highlights include the Greenhouse with tropical and jungle plants and the Kochi Ecology Garden that is home to wild plants from Kochi. Next, transfer to Katsurahama Beach (桂浜). A statue of Sakamoto Ryoma stands near the beach and is known as Kochi’s favorite son. He was one of the architects of modern Japan and assisted in negotiating an alliance between clans to bring an end to the feudal age. There are also souvenir shops, cafes and a shrine to visit around the area. Tonight, enjoy dinner [Kochi Local Cuisine with Inaka Sushi] at a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel for check in.

Day 4 Kochi – Kitagawa – Kochi 高知 - 北川 - 高知

Hotel: JR Clement Inn Kochi or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, visit Monet Marmottan Garden (モネの庭マルモッタン). The reimagined version of the French garden of the painter Claude Monet, of which had inspired his famous works. Here, you will find multi-colored waterlilies, shimmering ponds and endless vibrant flowers. Created in spirit and collaborated with the Claude Monet Foundation, it is the only other garden in the world with his namesake. This afternoon, have lunch [Japanese Set] at a local restaurant. Next, the strawberry orchard awaits you! Enjoy Strawberry Picking which is just in season. Next, visit Ryugado Cave (龍河洞), a roughly 4-km limestone cave which took approximately 175 million years to form, located in the city of Kami city, Kochi Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s best-known limestone caves and designated by the government as a natural monument/historical site. Thereafter, transfer back to Kochi and visit Hirome Market (ひろめ市場), a spot popular amongst locals and tourists for the wide array of food stalls selling Kochi specialties such as sake, Katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) and inaka sushi (country style sushi). This evening, enjoy dinner on your own here before heading back to the hotel.

Day 5 Kochi – Oboke – Kotohira 高知 - 大歩危 - 琴平

Hotel: Shikishimakan or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, start your day at Iyano Kazurabashi Bridge (祖谷かずら橋). Made out of mountain vines, the suspension bridge was the main method for people to cross the river of the Iya Valley. There was once 13 bridges but only 3 remain and we will visit the largest and most popular that spans 45m and is 14m above the river. After lunch at a local restaurant, board the Oboke Gorge Cruise (大歩危峡遊覧船). On board, you can appreciate the splendor and natural beauty of the calm gorge and scenic river valley. Thereafter, will transfer to hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 6 Kotohira – Shodo Island /Takamatsu 琴平 - 小豆島/高松

Hotel: Shodoshima Kokusai Hotel /JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar / R.O.H. or Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, transfer to Takamatsu Pier to take the ferry to Tonosho Pier. Upon arrival, visit Angel Road (エンジェルロード). It is a 500m sandbar that only surfaces during low tide which forms a golden path to a series of small islets. It is said that when lovers cross the path hand in hand, their romantic wishes will be fulfilled. Before crossing the road, you can climb the Hill of Promises to ring the bell of love or enjoy the panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. This afternoon, have lunch [Olive Chicken Rice Bowl] at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit Olive Park (小豆島オリーブ公園). Shodo Island is the birthplace of olive cultivation in Japan, which has a similar climate to its Mediterranean counterparts. Here, there is a replicated Greek windmill, winding paths along the olive trees, museum about the olive cultivation on Shodo Island and a public onsen with views of the island and sea. Next, stroll Hishinosato Town (醤の郷) which is where the Marukin Soy Sauce Museum (マルキン醤油記念館) is housed. The island also has a 400 year history of soy sauce production, and Marukin is one of the leading soy sauce companies here. Founded in 1908, the brand still stands in most of its original appearance and products are still made in the same traditional old-fashioned way. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki or Buffet] at the hotel.

Day 7 Shodo Island/Takamatsu – Naruto – Takamatsu 小豆島/高松 - 鳴門 - 高松

Hotel: JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

This morning, start the day at Ritsurin Park (栗林公園). The landscape garden is one of the best in Japan, featuring many ponds, hills, trees and pavilions of both the Japanese and Western styles. Located in front of the lush Mt. Shiun which is a fitting background for the tranquil garden. Next, you will get in experience with an Udon Making Experience! Takamatsu is known as the Udon Kingdom as the Sanuki Udon – which is one of the most famous and popular noodles in Japan. Lunch [Udon & Japanese Set] will be served with the udon you made before transferring to Naruto for the Naruto Whirlpool Cruise (鳴門の渦潮), which will get you right up next to the unique whirlpools. Formed by the large volume of water between the Seto Inland Sea and Pacific Ocean during high and low tide, the peak season to see them is in spring, where they tend to be larger in size and can get up to 20m in diameter. Thereafter, transfer to the hotel and check in. The rest of the evening will be free and easy and dinner will be under your own arrangement.

Day 8 Takamatsu – Haneda – Singapore 高松 - 東京 - 新加坡

Meal: B / - / -

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After breakfast at the hotel, free at your own leisure until departure.

Bid farewell to Takamatsu as we proceed to the airport and take a flight back to Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!

Day 9 Singapore 新加坡

Arrive at Singapore