Shikoku Island
Wednesday, 26 April 2023 8:37 am
From last nights camp is was more small roads but this time through Bamboo and Maple Forests.
At our 7‘Eleven coffee stop we started chatting to a couple of guys from the local Landcruiser Club.
Matsubayashi raced back home bring back his Troopie to show us and gave us the Landcruiser 2023 calendar and Lyn some sweets.
Just wish we could have a fluent conversation, but Google made the exchange a memorable experience.
Time to drive the Iya valley.
The narrow Road No 32 follows the steep sided river valley that is densely forested.
Thick vines, the maple trees with their new growth and those crystal blue green creek waters make it staggeringly beautiful.
The ‘Peeing Boy Statue’ of a young boy peeing into the valley below has been a favourite photograph for travellers since it was placed there in 1968.
Our ‘Landcruiser mates’ recommended this restaurant famous for its grilled Trout and noodles.
They were correct - great meal
Around 800 years ago the valley was the escape for a group of shamans fearing persecution.
To cross the step and fast flowing rivers they build vine bridges out of Wisteria Vines.
We now turn onto Rte No 439 into the Oku-Iya or the ‘Deep Valley’.
The roads are narrower and less travelled.
The small hamlet of Nagoro or ScareCrow Village are numerous ‘people’ in natural positions
Some you have to do a double look to be sure they at not real !!
Just out side Nagoro are the other two remaining vine bridges.
AND I managed to encourage Lyn to walk all three.
Here in the mountains we at around 1300+m and with the chill still in the air the Cherry Blossoms are still in bloom.
The road to our intended camp was closed so we continued to drive in the wrong direction.
Eventually deciding a paid camp ground would have to do.
Camp 5 - Unfortunate Camp
Today : 141 Kms
Total : 433 Kms
Cost Y4400 - A$48
‘CottonFields’ was a disappointment, overpriced and under delivered. A$48 for a piece of gravel ! But it was a great day !
Wednesday 26th April 2023
Its a drive down the Eastern Coast to Muroto and the ‘Doorway to the land of the dead’
Atop the peninsula is Temple No 24 of the 88 of the pilgrims walking list !
Camp 6 - Observation Car Park Camp
Today : 160 Kms
Total : 560 Kms
Cost Nil
Lots of cats and also a visit from 5 Racoons
Thursday 27th April 2023
The catching of whales goes back to these two small villages well before the documentation in the 16 century.
Only whaling fleets in the Tosa region were allowed to catch whales and that privilege was shared between to villages on alternate years.
Note the large Tsunami Wall protecting the fishing fleet.
Camp 7 - Car Park Camp
Today : 215 Kms
Total : 803 Kms
Cost Nil
Nice quiet Car Park Camp with toilets and water supply
Friday 28th April 2023
This Korean Restaurant on a remote road dished up a truly beautiful meal.
The above with bowls of salad Y1200 ( A$14)
All day we followed Blue-Green Rivers on mostly narrow roads.
Perhaps we only passed a dozen cars the 6 hours of driving.
Camp 8 - Odo Dam Camp
Today : 148 Kms
Total : 951 Kms
Cost Nil
We had 3 choices of camps and finally decided this was the most ideal.
It was a small road and no traffic
Saturday 29th April 2023
It was a very small road, and the corner of the house just jumped out and hit the LS side of the module !
The owner appeared, not angry, very calm. I drove to a parking lot and he and the police arrived. It was all very civil and through Google translate a report was filed, and i will make an insurance claim.
No real damage to the module, and as for his house i think its only a gutter tile. There have been a few hits previously judging by the mangled and rusted end cap.
The insurance company paid the owner and wished us pleasant travels - so easy
The above was on a small road leading to this temple.
A 380 step climb and quite some sloping ramps to get to the Iwaya-Ji. temple (No45 of 88 on the Island )
Lunch from this mini VW Kombi
Tuna & Cheese Crapes.
Camp 9 - Yawatahama Wharf Ferry Camp - Ferry to Usuki on Kyushu Island
Today : 115 Kms
Total : 1066 Kms
Cost Nil
Our Shikoku Tracks and camps
Tomorrow the ferry to Kyushu
