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Vine Bridge, Iya Valley

Japan's hidden island: Temples & festivals in Shikoku

12 days from £4,615pp
Vine Bridge, Iya Valley
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Tour highlights

  • White-water rafting in the spectacular Oboke Gorge.

  • The hot spring baths of Matsuyama.

  • Driving through rural scenery.

  • The art museums on Naoshima Island.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled international and domestic flights
  • Fully insured vehicle hire
  • All accommodation
  • 24-hour support while you travel
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Itinerary idea in detail

Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

  • Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Tokyo.

  • Arriving in Tokyo, you continue on a connecting flight to Osaka Airport. Here, you will be met by an airport representative who will give you your trip documents and ensure a smooth arrival. You will then take a shared transfer from the airport to your hotel, which is not far away.

    • Osaka, Japan
      Osaka, Japan
    • Shinjuku district, Tokyo
      Shinjuku district, Tokyo
    • Osaka neon lights
      Osaka neon lights

  • Travel by bus to Tokushima via Awaji-jima Island and across the world's longest suspension bridge that links the main island of Honshu to Shikoku.

    • Awa Odori dance performance
      Awa Odori dance performance
    • Awa Odori dances, Tokushima
      Awa Odori dances, Tokushima
    • Awa Odori dances, Tokushima
      Awa Odori dances, Tokushima

  • Explore Tokushima town. We recommend incorporating a visit to Tokushima's most famous export to the rest of the country, the Bunraku puppet theatre, to see a performance.

    • Pilgrimage walking sticks
      Pilgrimage walking sticks
    • Shikoku Suspension Bridge
      Shikoku Suspension Bridge
    • Awa Odori
      Awa Odori

  • Take a scenic coastal train ride to Takamatsu, home to one of Japan's most beautiful gardens the Ritsurin-Koen and regarded as one of the top three.

    • Ancient Pine Tree in Ritsurin Park, Takamatsu
      Ancient Pine Tree in Ritsurin Park, Takamatsu
    • Ritsurin-Koen Garden, Takamatsu
      Ritsurin-Koen Garden, Takamatsu
    • Takamatsu at night
      Takamatsu at night

  • Today, take a short ferry ride to visit nearby Naoshima Island and its world-class art museums. If time allows, there are other modern art installations of the surrounding smaller islands.

    • Takamatsu Ferry Port
      Takamatsu Ferry Port
    • Ritsurin-Koen Garden, Takamatsu
      Ritsurin-Koen Garden, Takamatsu
    • Ritsurin-Koen Garden, Takamatsu
      Ritsurin-Koen Garden, Takamatsu

  • Pick up your hire car and drive from Takamatsu to the rural and remote Iya Valley. In the afternoon, explore the area by car and on foot, helped by the advanced GPS system provided with all rental cars. Depending on the season, you can enjoy some breathtaking mountainous scenery, complete with beautiful waterfalls.

    • Statue of Peeing Boy, Iya Valley
      Statue of Peeing Boy, Iya Valley
    • Iya Valley, Japan
      Iya Valley, Japan
    • Vine Bridge, Iya Valley
      Vine Bridge, Iya Valley

  • Start this morning with some light activity — white-water rafting in the Oboke Gorge. The course is suitable for beginners and children.

    • Iya Valley
      Iya Valley
    • Kazurabashi (Vine Bridge), Iya Valley
      Kazurabashi (Vine Bridge), Iya Valley
    • Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, Iya Valley, Shikoku
      Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, Iya Valley, Shikoku

  • Drive to the small town of Kannonji and drop the car off here. Then, take the train west to Matsuyama, Shikoku's principal city and oldest hot spring resort in Japan. The west of Shikoku has a different feel than the east.

    Stay at Matsuyama Tokyu REI   
    • Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama, Shikoku
      Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama, Shikoku
    • Iya Valley
      Iya Valley
    • local woman, Iya Valley
      local woman, Iya Valley

  • Explore the castle and gardens or relax and rewind in the hot springs of your hotel.

    Stay at Matsuyama Tokyu REI   

  • Travel by train across to Okayama, stopping to see other top-rated gardens, including the Korakuen Garden, before continuing east to Tokyo. The evening is at leisure to catch up on any last-minute sightseeing or enjoy your final evening in Japan wining and dining.

    • Asakusa shrine, Tokyo
      Asakusa shrine, Tokyo
    • Tokyo, Japan
      Tokyo, Japan
    • Palace gardens, Tokyo
      Palace gardens, Tokyo

  • You will be taken to the airport by shared transfer. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

    • Ginza nightlife, Tokyo
      Ginza nightlife, Tokyo
    • Palace bridge & Keep, Tokyo
      Palace bridge & Keep, Tokyo
    • Sponsor's lanterns, Asakusa
      Sponsor's lanterns, Asakusa

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

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The specialist who designs your trip to Japan will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

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When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Tokyo
 
Osaka
 
Tokushima
 
Takamatsu
 
Iya Valley
 
Matsuyama
 

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