Tour of Hot Spas across Shikoku

This is a luxury travel plan to tour scenic spots and hot-spring resorts across Shikoku, starting from Kansai International Airport.

Day 1　Kansai International Airport→Oboke & Iya Valley→Iya Onsen
Day 2　(Iya Onsen→)Kochi Castle→Hirome Market→Sada Chinkabashi→Ashizuri Onsen Village
Day 3　(Ashizuri Onsen Village→)Tatsukushi Marine Park→Dogo Onsen
Day 4　(Dogo Onsen→)Kotohira-gu Shrine→Takamatsu Airport

Day 1

Kansai International Airport
About a 2.5-hour drive

Tokushima City
About a 2-hour drive

Day 1

Sightseeing in Oboke Gorge & Iya Valley, Tokushima Prefecture

An emerald green water surface, white rock faces, and cliffs jutting straight up to the sky are colored by fresh verdure in spring and by colored leaves in autumn. Three kilometers downstream from Oboke is the place called Koboke.

About a 30-minute drive

Day 1

Overnight stay in Iya Onsen area in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture

*The images of the accommodation facilities are for illustrative purposes only

Day 2

About a 90-minute drive

Kochi City
A short walk

Day 2

Kochi Castle

Kochi’s 400-Year-Old Castle and Cherry Blossom-Filled Gardens

Constructed at the beginning of the 17th century, Kochi’s castle is the only one in Japan where the original castle tower and main keep remain intact. After centuries of surviving wars, fires, and other catastrophes, it is one of the last twelve original castles in Japan, and is designated an Important National Cultural Property. Keep an eye out for all of the intricate details of the castle architecture, like the statues of the legendary shachi sea creatures (half fish, half dragon), gazing down on the city from the roof.

Address	高知県高知市丸ノ内1-2-1 　（1-2-1, Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan）
Telephone Number	088-824-5701
Open	9:00-17:00 (no entry permitted after 16:30)
Closed	December 26 to January 1

Day 2

Hirome Market

Try lots of Kochi specialties and have a few drinks with locals at this friendly indoor market

Hirome Market feels like a festival every day of the year! Kochiites and visitors alike come here to check out the food shops and grab a table to enjoy an array of local and international cuisine. Nicknamed "Kochi's kitchen", this is one spot you simply cannot miss!
Located just a short walk away from Kochi Castle, Hirome Market is home to around 65 stalls. This is a great place to try a wide range of Kochi specialties, as you can buy food and drinks from the stalls and enjoy them at one of the many large tables set up around the market. Hirome Market is open from morning to late in the evening, but no matter what time you visit there are sure to find plenty of friendly folks chatting, eating, and sipping some of Kochi’s smooth dry sake.

Address	高知県高知市帯屋町2-3-1　（2-3-1, Obiyamachi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan）
Telephone Number	088-822-5287
Open	10:00-23:00 on weekdays, Saturdays & national holidays 9:00-23:00 on Sundays ※Opening hours of each store vary among stores
Closed	New Year's Day *plus around 6 days per year (For more information, please see the official homepage)

About a 2-hour drive

Day 2

Sada Chinkabashi (submersible bridge)

An unusual bridge crossing the clear Shimanto River

Chinkabashi are submersible bridges designed without side rails to reduce the risk of the bridge being washed away during floods. These low, stocky-looking bridges have become a symbol of the Shimanto area, and even seem to blend into the scenery better than a traditional bridge. Though there are many chinkabashi along the river, the Sada Chinkabashi is the longest and closest to the mouth of the Shimanto. You will recognize it by its cute blue “feet.”

Address	高知県四万十市佐田　（Sada, Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan）
Telephone Number	0880-35-4171

About a 1-hour drive

Day 2

Overnight stay in Ashizuri Onsen Village

This is a scenic hot-spa resort that commands a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. You can enjoy taking a hot-spring bath and eating tasty Kochi seafood while feeling the salty scent from the sea.

Day 3

About a 30-minute drive

Day 3

Tatsukushi Marine Park

Float over one of Japan’s largest coral reefs!

The Tatsukushi Marine Park, located at the southernmost coast of Kochi Prefecture, is home to one of Japan’s largest coral reefs and you will find all types of colorful fish and shellfish thriving in these waters that remain warm all year round. Tatsukushi was the first park of its kind to be designated a National Marine Park.

Address	高知県土佐清水市三崎4124-1　（4124-1, Misaki, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan）
Telephone Number	0880-82-3155

About a 3-hour drive

Day 3

Stay in Dogo Onsen

Dogo Onsen Honkan is thought to be the oldest hot spring in Japan is mentioned in the ancient texts of the Kojiki and Manyoshu. The main building, a three-storey castle-style wooden structure has been designated an Important Cultural Property. The bathhouse is an iconic feature of Matsuyama in the novel “Botchan” and many other masterpieces of literature and film. After enjoying the smooth hot spring water, put on a Yukata robe, stroll around the local streets full of culture, and get into the spirit of this Onsen town. A new annex “Asuka-no-Yu”, adopting the architectural style of the 6th to 8th centuries, will be opened in September 2017.

Day 4

About a 2-hour drive

Day 4

Kotohira-gu Shrine

This is a popular shrine, commonly known as Konpira-san. It is the head shrine of "Kotohira" or "Konpira" shrines in Japan and has been worshiped since ancient times as "the God of the Sea".
There is an extremely long staircase, consisting of 1,368 steps. The area around the shrine is crowded with many shops such as cafes, teahouses, souvenir shops and udon restaurants. You can rent a walking stick and go for a stroll or take a ride in a "kago" palanquin and enjoy the sights as you are carried around.

About a 1-hour drive

Day 4