Do you know “Shikoku 88 View Spots”?
These are 88 places with scenery or townscapes which are representative of Shikoku and have been designated as “Shikoku 88 View Spots.”
The basic concept is that a “good view” consists of a source and a “place for seeing it” and that both should be a good combination.
The views of #1 to #21 are in Tokushima, #22 to #42 are in Kochi, #43 to #66 are in Ehime, and #67 to #87 are in Kagawa Prefecture (#32 is shared by Ehime and Kochi, and #88 is shared by all 4 prefectures).

Now, the project of promoting the charms of these 88 views is being carried out in Shikoku.
And we are suggesting a 2-day photo trip in which you can get a taste of some of the “Shikoku 88 View Spots!”

So, are you ready to start the second day of your photo trip to visit “Shikoku 88 View Spots”?
We assume that you are very excited to visit some more fascinating places today.

The first place where we visit for the start of the Day 2 is “Aizome Kobo” which is located next to Mima City Tourism Exchange Center on the Udatsu Old Street.
The name of ”Aizome Kobo” means “Indigo Dyeing Workshop,” and literally, you can experience indigo dyeing using natural indigo dyestuffs (priority given to those with a reservation, the maximum number is a group of 8 people).

Today, we choose the handkerchief course, which takes about 40 to 90 minutes.
This is a very nice activity after you have enjoyed strolling down the Udatsu street.

These are actual handkerchiefs dyed with indigo.
Can you see the differences between the color and patterns among them?
The color become different depending on how long you soak the cloth, and you can choose various methods for making the patterns on it.
Also it is a good chance for you to buy some souvenirs made at this workshop, such as genuine indigo dyeing stoles, accessories, and so on.

Aizome Kobo, Mima City Tourism Exchange Center
Address／45, Oaza Wakimachi, Wakimachi, Mima-shi, Tokushima
Phone／090-3188-3711
Parking lot／Available
http://www.city.mima.lg.jp/kankou/kankouannai/miru/kouryu-center.html

You can enjoy the art of a traditional garden together with a natural landscape.
This scenery was created by the Japanese dry landscape garden at Honraku-ji Temple with the Yoshinogawa River in the background.

This rock garden was created by Tadaichi Saito, who was taught by Mirei Shigemori, the well-known garden artist and scholar in the Showa era (1926-1989).

You can have a cup of matcha, the green tea prepared as a powdered tea, in a Japanese-style room, and you can enjoy viewing the beautiful garden from here as well.
You can eat a sophisticated traditional vegetarian Japanese cuisine brought in courses, as well as a “Shokado lunchbox” at this temple, so this is a must-visit place when you come to Tokushima.

Rengesan Honraku-ji Temple
Address／123, Oshima, Mishima, Anabuki-cho, Mima-shi, Tokushima
Phone／0883-52-2754
http://www.honrakuji.jp

Next, we are going to the “Oboke” area, which is also in the middle basin of Yoshinogawa River that stretches across Shikoku from west to east.
The Yoshinogawa flows through the middle of Oboke Gorge, and there are unique and complex rock formations on the both sides of the river.
These rocks have been formed little by little by the torrent of the Yoshinogawa for about 200 million years.
It can be called the natural art of crystalline schist (the type of rock found here).
This gorge is also designated as a national natural monument.

The best way to enjoy the landscape of Oboke Gorge is to ride on the Oboke Pleasure Boat.
A half-hour cruise of the Yoshinogawa River with a guide will be an extraordinary experience.

You will be amazed by the combination of the emerald green river, the huge rocks and the beautiful mountains surrounding this gorge.

Obokekyo Mannaka
Address／1520, Nishiu, Yamashiro-cho, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima
Phone／0883-84-1211
Fee／1,200 yen for adults, 600 yen for children (from the age of 3 to elementary school students)
http://www.mannaka.co.jp

The last one is #88 of “Shikoku 88 View Spots.”
Actually, this one is a sightseeing train called “Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari.”

This train consists of 3 cars, colored green, blue, and red.
“Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari” literally means “The story of 1,000 years in the center of Shikoku.”
This train runs between Tadotsu Station in Nakatado-gun, Kagawa and Oboke Station in Miyoshi City, Tokushima.
This train makes a short trip of two and a half hours one way, but you will find it very fulfilling…!

“Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari” provides you with 2 trips, “Sora no Sato Kikou (Travel through the Sky Country)” from Tadotsu Station to Oboke Station and “Shiawase no Sato Kikou (Travel through the Country of Happiness)” from Oboke Station to Tadotsu Station.
In this article, we introduce you to the “Shiawase no Sato Kikou” trip departing from the land of mystery.

You cannot take your eyes off the beautiful view outside your window.
Please enjoy a “Otona no Yusanbako,” which is a three-tiered boxed lunch made under the supervision of the head chef of “Misho Fujimoto,” a famous Japanese restaurant, as well as desserts and drinks after lunch.

Shikoku Mannaka Sennen Monogatari
Schedule／Basically, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays
http://www.jr-eki.com/global/en/travel/sennen_top/index.html

I think you obviously understand that a 2-day trip is too short to visit all of the “Shikoku 88 View Spots.”
We suggest you to take a longer vacation to visit these places and fully enjoy each of them.

Shikoku 88 View Spots
https://www.skr.mlit.go.jp/kikaku/88-kei/index.html

Photographs and text by Megumi Yamada