Posts Tagged ‘travel’
Panmunjom, DMZ and seeing the North Korean border
Whilst on holiday in South Korea I went on a tour of Panmunjom and the demilitarised zone by the border of North and South Korea. There are lots of agencies running similar tours, and there are differences in what places you see on each tour. I booked about a month in advance via email for the ‘DMZ & Panmunjom’ tour run by the [...]
Japan re-entry permits and embarkation / disembarkation cards
This page is about Japan re-entry permits and the embarkation / disembarkation cards that you have to fill in when you enter and leave the country. Both are closely linked together so I've put this information in one larger post, rather than two smaller ones. Re-entry permits for Japan If you have a visa (residence status) to be in Japan and [...]
Kotohira Shrine, Shikoku
The Kotohira Shrine in Kagawa on Shikoku Island is famous for its steps. Its 1368 steps! It isn’t as bad as it sounds though, and if you are visiting Takamatsu and have seen the obvious sites (Ritsurin Park, Tamamo Castle), then consider going to the Kotohira Shrine (also known as Konpira-San) next. It is one of Japan’s most famous Shinto [...]
Megijima Island Takamatsu
Megijima Island is a small island visible from the Sunport harbour area of Takamatsu. It is just 4km away, has an area of 2.66km and a population of about 200 people. The island is also known as ‘Monster’s Island’ or ‘Devil's Island’! There is a legend that the mythical character Momotaro made an appearance on the island many [...]
Yashima Aquarium and temple
To the East of the Takamatsu Sunport area is the Yashima 屋島 flat top mountain. You can’t miss it as it is visible for miles around and is distinctive in shape. You can get there by Kotoden train from Kawaramachi station. Just outside the Kotoden Yashima station you can get a shuttle bus to the top. On the plateau you’ll [...]
Japan vending machine photos
Japan is full of vending machines. There are everywhere from city centres, to deserted alleys. Anywhere where there is a power supply can be home to a vending machine. Here is a collection of photos of vending machines that I have taken, they are mostly taken around Takamatsu in Kagawa, on Shikoku Island. Although there are vending machines [...]
Shikoku-Mura open air museum at Yashima, Takamatsu
Shikoku-Mura 四国村 is an open air museum / art village situated at the base of Yashima Mountain in Takamatsu. Thirty three traditional buildings from all over Shikoku Island Japan have been reconstructed here. Shikoku-Mura is a 6-7 minute walk from the Kotoden Yashima station which can be reached via Takamatsu’s centrally [...]
Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu Japan
Ritsurin Park 栗林公園 is one of Takamatsu’s top tourist attraction, and is also one of the best and most beautiful gardens in Japan. It is situated to the South West of Takamatsu’s main centre, and is easily reachable by the Kotoden tram, bike, or walking. Walking from Kawaramachi will take less than 30 [...]
Alien registration in Japan
Anyone who stays in Japan for more than 90 days must register as an alien with the local government within 90 days of arriving in the country. Japan immigration When I arrived at Osaka Kansai airport on a Japanese working holiday visa I was reminded of the need to register by being given a leaflet about the alien registration process by the [...]
Kochi, Japan – a short visit
Kochi 高知 is a city on the South Side of Shikoku Island in Japan. You can reach it by bus from Takamatsu 高松. I travelled there and back using two single tickets – each costing ¥2900 (there was some deal at the time where two single tickets were cheaper than a return). The bus takes just over two hours from [...]
