----------------------------------- sanji Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:14 pm 6 days tour in Chugoku, along both coasts ----------------------------------- Prerequisite : 18-kippu for 5 days (not available all the time, see this Kobe and finish at the same point Duration : 6 days - 5 nights Transportation : by train (almost only local and rapid ones); a JR Rail Pass is not needed, but can help to speed up the journey; renting a car is also an option for days 4, 5 & 6. Cost : 52'000 yens (including 18-kippu) + bento for lunch + 2 breakfasts / dinners not included Theme : A tour of the south part of Honshu focusing on the sea coast. Visit of some of the most famous spots of Japan, including the Himeji castle & Hiroshima, as well as great smaller places like Tomo no Ura and Kinosaki Onsen. Lots of castles, overnighting on a small island with a nice beach and in a fantastic onsen town. This tour gives a great overview of many historical attractions and focuses on great nature spots. START RED Kobe MINI ORANGE Himeji castle MINI ORANGE Okayama MINI ORANGE Tomo no Ura 1 RED Sensuijima MINI ORANGE Hiroshima 2 RED Miyajima MINI ORANGE Kurashiki 3 RED Matsue 4 RED Tottori 5 RED Kinosaki Onsen END RED Kobe DAY 1 Train : Kobe - Himeji by JR Special Rapid Service (36 min, frequency : every 15 min) Himeji Visit of the Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage site) - 600 yens (12 minutes walk from the station) Train : Himeji - Okayama by JR Sanyo Line (change in Aioi) (85 min, frequency : every 60 min) Optional visit : Okayama Korakuen Garden - 350 yens (5-10 minutes by bus or tramway) Train : Okayama - Fukuyama by JR Sanyo Line (58 min, frequency : every 10 min) Bus : Fukuyama - Tomo no Ura (580 yens, 30 minutes, frequency : every 15 min) Ferry : Tomo no Ura - Sensuijima (240 yens return, 5 min, every 20 min) Sensuijima Accomodation : Kokokara (ここから) www.sensuijima.jp/kokokara/top.html phone - 084-982-2111 Single room (western type with bath & toilets) - 10000 yens including dinner & breakfast (this is part of the Healthy discounted Plan) reserved through jalan.net DAY 2 Climbing to the top of the island, walking around the beaches, onsen at the hotel Ferry : Sensuijima - Tomo no Ura (5 min, every 20 min) Tomo no Ura Bicycle rental (just next to the ferry terminal, 100-200 yens; possibility to leave luggages for 200 yens) Visit of some shrines, old town, fish market Tomo Shichikyo-ochi ruins - 350 yens Bus : Tomo no Ura - Fukuyama Train : Fukuyama - Onomichi by JR Sanyo Line (19 min, frequency : every 20 min) Train : Onomichi - Hiroshima by JR Sanyo Line (81 min, frequency : every 30 min) Hiroshima Hiroshima Peace Park & A-Dome - free Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - 50 yens Train : Hiroshima - Miyajimaguchi by JR Sanyo Line (25 min, frequency : every 10 min) Ferry : Miyajimaguchi - Miyajima island by JR ferry Miyajima Accomodation : Morinoyado (森の宿) Twin room (with toilets, and view on the river) - 10'000 yens + 1000 yens (extra for single person) with a simple dinner and breakfast DAY 3 Visit of : Itsukushima shrine - 300 yens Daisho-in Temple - free Reach the top of the island by ropeways, followed by 30 minutes walk Ropeways - 1800 yens (return ticket, 1000 yens for single way) Ferry : Miyajima island - Miyajimaguchi by JR ferry Train : Miyajimaguchi - Fukuyama by JR Sanyo Line (128 min, frequency : every 30 min) Train : Fukuyama - Kurashiki JR by Sanyo Line (40 min, frequency : every 10 min) Kurashiki Quick tour of Kurashiki old town by bicycle (rental at the JR Car Rental next to the station, 350 yens) Train : Kurashiki - Matsue by Limited Express Yakumo (5750 yens, 144 min, frequency : every 60 min) Matsue Accomodation : Business hotel around the station or between the station and the castle Typical price for a single room : 5000-6000 yens (without meal) reserved through jalan.net DAY 4 Visit of the castle and historical sights Lafcadio Hearn Museum - 150 yens (special price for foreigners) Lafcadio Hearn Old Residence Matsue Buke Yashiki - 150 yens (special price for foreigners) Train : Matsue - Tottori (change in Yonago) (at least 135 min, frequency : very variable, careful planning required) Tottori Visit of the famous sand dunes (From JR Tottori Station, city loop bus (砂丘コース - Sakyuu Course) : 200 yens, 20 minutes) Accomodation : Business hotel around the station or at the sand dunes Typical price for a single room : 5000-6000 yens (without meal) reserved through jalan.net Alternative destination : Misasa Onsen Accomodation : Kiya Ryokan (木屋旅館) www.misasa.co.jp phone - 0858-43-0521 Single room (including 2 small rooms, with toilets, and view on the river) - 7000 yens without meal reserved through jalan.net Dinner : Izakaya For a great dinner with excellent sashimi & sushi, as well as a lot of sake : 4200 yens DAY 5 Train : Tottori - Kinosaki Onsen (change in Hamasaka) (around 125 min, frequency : every 60-120 minutes, careful planning required) Kinosaki Onsen Visit of the 7 public baths - free for visitors staying overnight Accomodation : Tenboen (天望苑) www.tenbouen.com phone - 0796-32-3661 Single room (6 tatami, without bathroom) - 8000 yens including dinner (crab nabe) and breakfast reserved through jalan.net DAY 6 Visit (and shopping ?) in Kinosaki Onsen Train : Kinosaki Onsen - Amagasaki by JR Fukuchiyama Line / JR Takarazuka Line (potential changing in Sasayamaguchi) (120 min, frequency : every 60 min) Train : Amagasaki - Kobe by JR Special Rapid Service (18 min, frequency : every 10 min)