黃國棟's Reviews Page 1/14

On this trip to Kochi, I made a point of adding Katsurahama to my itinerary. Before I even reached the beach, I was already excited to see this famous stretch of the Pacific coast with my own eyes.

Katsurahama is best known for its bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto, so of course I had to take a photo! Standing beside the statue, you can feel his commanding presence as he faces the Pacific Ocean and gazes into the distance.

Walking slowly along the coast, I saw the endless blue ocean before me, with waves rolling onto the shore and the sea breeze blowing in my face. Listening to the sound of the waves made me feel much more relaxed.

The ocean view here is truly expansive, without much of the noise and bustle of the city. Just standing by the sea, enjoying the scenery and taking photos, made the trip out here feel well worth it.

On this trip to Kochi, I made a point of visiting Godaisan Park. I drove all the way up the mountain without expecting too much, but once I arrived, I felt it was well worth a visit!

The park is shaded by lush trees, and the grounds are beautifully maintained, making it very pleasant to walk around. What I liked most was that there weren’t many visitors. Without the noise of a busy tourist attraction, it felt more relaxed and peaceful.

From the viewpoint, I could see all of downtown Kochi, Urado Bay, and the mountain ranges in the distance. The view was really great! The blue sky combined with the mountain and ocean scenery made me want to stay a little longer, and I took quite a few photos.

When I came here, the first thing that caught my eye was this traditional Japanese house with a thatched roof. The building was larger than I had imagined, and the courtyard retained its rustic charm, making me want to stay a little longer.

This is the birthplace of Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of the Mitsubishi Group. It’s quite interesting to think that someone who influenced the development of Japan’s modern economy began his life in a traditional house like this!

Besides the house where he was born, there is also a storehouse nearby, as well as a striking bronze statue in the parking lot. Walking through the courtyard, it felt quiet and relaxed rather than bustling like a tourist attraction, so I could take my time appreciating the architecture and surroundings.

It isn’t too far from the city or the national highway, but transportation is really not very convenient, so driving is the better option. There were no other visitors at all when I arrived that day. The whole place was extremely peaceful, and it almost felt like I had it all to myself.

Although it isn’t a large, bustling tourist attraction, it offers the pleasure of exploring history. Visiting these unassuming places with important stories during a trip is rewarding in its own way!

This time I visited Aki City in Kochi Prefecture, originally to explore the Doi Kachu Traditional Buildings Preservation District. While walking around, I unexpectedly came across this distinctive Nora Dokei Clock.

At first glance, I thought this clock tower was really unique! The traditional Japanese building with the tall clock, surrounded by lush green countryside, creates a nostalgic rural Japanese atmosphere.

I couldn't help but stop to admire it and took a few photos while the weather was clear. There weren't many tourists or bustling shops here. Instead, it felt leisurely and peaceful, letting me slowly enjoy the scenery in front of me.

This clock was reportedly handmade during the Meiji era by a local landowner. He made everything himself, from the gears inside to the weights, without using ready-made parts. After all these years, it still retains its original appearance, which is truly impressive!

It has now been designated as a national cultural property of Japan. However, since it is on private property, it isn't open to the public. You can only admire it from outside and can't go in for a tour.

Although it was just a small spot I happened to come across during my trip and I didn't stay long, I actually really enjoyed this kind of unexpected discovery. There were no crowds and no pressure to rush through an itinerary—just a chance to quietly admire this old clock filled with history.

This time I visited the Niyodo River in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, and finally got to see the famous "Niyodo Blue" with my own eyes! When I reached the ravine that day, I was immediately drawn to the scenery before me. The crystal-clear water was a beautiful blue-green, with sunlight filtering through the treetops and reflecting on the surface. Together with the dense green forests and natural rock walls on both sides, the whole scene looked like a landscape painting.

What caught my attention most was the waterfall in front of me. Water rushed down between the rocks and poured directly into the emerald pool, sending up bursts of spray and showing the force of the current. Seeing it up close was truly spectacular! The water was so clear that I could see the rocks at the bottom. The intersecting currents created different shades of blue and green, and the scenery changed beautifully with the light.

I spent a while by the water that day, listening to the gentle sound of the stream and enjoying the natural scenery in front of me. It felt especially relaxing. I originally just wanted to see the famous Niyodo Blue, but the scenery was even more beautiful than I had imagined! Being surrounded by forests, streams, and waterfalls is truly an experience worth having in person.

When visiting the Shimanto River, of course you can’t miss the famous Sada Chinkabashi! Sada Chinkabashi spans the Shimanto River, known as “Japan’s last clean stream,” and is the longest chinkabashi in the Shimanto River basin, measuring about 291.6 meters in length.

It was my first time seeing a chinkabashi in person, and it was really unique! The bridge has no guardrails and isn’t very wide, so cars can only pass one direction at a time, and you have to be especially careful when vehicles meet.

Standing on the bridge and looking out on both sides, you can take in the entire river scenery. The clear water and greenery along both banks make the whole setting feel very natural and relaxing.

There aren’t many man-made decorations here, but it has a very pure Japanese countryside charm. It’s really worth making a special trip to stroll around, take photos, quietly admire the river and surrounding scenery, and experience the relaxed pace of the Shimanto River!

On this trip to Shikoku, I made special plans to take a sightseeing boat on the Shimanto River because I wanted to see this river, known as “Japan’s last clean stream,” with my own eyes.

After boarding the sightseeing boat, we slowly traveled along the river while enjoying the scenery on both banks. Lush green mountains and forests stretched out before us, the water was clear and calm, and the air was especially fresh. Away from the noise of the city, sitting on the boat with the breeze blowing really made me feel like I could slow down and enjoy the trip.

What I looked forward to most was seeing the Shimanto River’s famous chinkabashi bridges along the way. From the river, the low bridges stretching across the water, together with the surrounding mountains and river scenery, really had the feel of the Japanese countryside.

The entire boat ride lasted 60 minutes and cost JPY 2,000. I originally thought it would just be a boat ride to see the scenery, but it turned out to be more relaxing and worthwhile than I expected!

There weren’t many visitors on a weekday, so there were no crowded groups. I could take my time enjoying the views, taking photos, and appreciating the beauty of nature.

There are no flashy tourist facilities here, but the natural scenery makes it hard to leave. The Shimanto River really is a great place to slow down and enjoy a relaxing time.

When visiting Mt. Ishizuchi, of course you shouldn’t miss the experience of riding the ropeway! Starting from Shimodani Station at the foot of the mountain, it takes just 8 minutes to travel from an elevation of 455 meters to Jojusha Station at 1,300 meters.

At first, I thought the nearly JPY 2,000 round-trip fare was a little expensive, but considering how much easier the ropeway is than climbing all the way up myself, it felt worth it!

The ropeway ride itself was also very enjoyable. As we gradually climbed higher, the forest scenery outside the window kept changing, and seeing the mountain range from different angles felt very soothing.

Once I reached the top, the scenery truly made the trip worthwhile! The air was fresh and the surroundings were peaceful, away from the bustle of the city and filled with the tranquility of nature. Although I didn’t continue on to challenge the summit this time, I was already very satisfied just riding the ropeway up, enjoying the mountain views, and walking around.

If you want to enjoy the alpine scenery of Mt. Ishizuchi without using too much energy to climb, I really recommend taking the ropeway up and walking around!

When visiting Uwajima, of course you should also make time to visit the city’s most iconic historical attraction, Uwajima Castle!

Uwajima Castle is one of Japan’s 12 surviving original castle towers and one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan. Construction was first begun in 1601 by renowned castle builder Todo Takatora, and it later became the residence of the Uwajima Date clan, giving it a long history.

It’s about a 15- to 20-minute walk from JR Uwajima Station. I originally thought I would be able to see the castle as soon as I arrived, but unexpectedly, I still had to climb a mountain path for a while. The route was a little longer than I had imagined and required some stamina. Still, slowly making my way toward the castle tower through the lush green forest had its own special charm.

When I finally reached the castle tower, it wasn’t very large, but it retained the historic character of an old castle. Without the crowds of a major tourist attraction, it felt more peaceful and rustic. If you have enough time while visiting Uwajima, I’d recommend coming here for a walk and experiencing the charm of one of Japan’s surviving historic castles for yourself!

Located in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, this is a very unique museum dedicated to towels. It combines “viewing, learning, and relaxation,” transforming ordinary everyday towels into stunning works of art.

The museum has five floors: the first floor has a café and gift shop, the second floor has a Shikoku souvenir shop, the third floor is dedicated to towels, and the fourth floor has the exhibition entrance and ticket counter. After purchasing a ticket, you can head to the fifth floor to see the exhibitions.

Admission is JPY 1,000 per person. The exhibitions are also very interesting. In addition to explaining the towel-making process—from cotton to spinning and weaving, and finally to a finished towel—there are also themed exhibitions featuring Snoopy, Moomin, and others.

What surprised me most was that all the exhibits inside were woven and made entirely from towel fabric! Whether they depict people, scenes, or various shapes, they’re all incredibly detailed and really make you stop and take a closer look.

I originally thought towels were just everyday items, but I never imagined they could be transformed in so many ways. It was truly eye-opening! Some of the pieces really made me want to sneak a touch just to make sure they were actually made of towels. After looking around, you can also shop for Imabari towels in the stores downstairs. There’s a good variety of products, making it a great place to pick up some souvenirs.

If you’re planning a trip around Ehime or Imabari in Shikoku, I recommend adding this place to your itinerary. It’s truly a unique attraction that’s worth visiting and exploring!