Best 5 must-check popular event guide in Shikoku. Dec.2017
Shikoku is one of the islands to constitute Japanese island. Together with Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu, it is a main island out of 4. Island is consisted from 4 prefectures, Ehime, Kochi, Kagawa and Tokushima. Each prefer has it’s own tasty foods and recommended sightseeing spots to look around a lot. This time, we will introduce you about the events, held in Shikoku. Together with sightseeing, let’s take a look of local events.
Modern art event
1. ＜Tokushima＞ Takagai ishizumi (building up stones) light up – 16th-17th Dec. 2017
Source: Awa navi
Takagai ishizumi (buld up stones) is an overwhelming impressive place to build up the stones as if to the sky. When looking up, stone wall is extended step by step to the top of the mountain at the mountain surface in line. It’s as if like the ancient remains of huge stone stairs, continuing to the sky. This stone wall is selected as “Japanese 100 selections of village” and has light up event every end of December.
Limited period light up makes fantastic atmosphere and many people gather also from other prefecture to experience this winter tradition.
During the period, music event, star observation, specialty goods sales and invitation to ameyu are held.
During the period, shuttle bus from Minato firefly building is running for free. There is no parking space at the venue, so be careful for going by car.
Schedule
・Open day / hours
(SAT) 16th – (SUN) 17th, Dec. 2017
17:00～21:00
Access & address
・ Venue
Yoshinogawashi, Tokushima, Takagai ishizumi (building up stones)
・Access
JR Awayamakawa. About 20 minutes by car
From Tokushima airport, take limousine to Tokushima station. From Tokushima station, about 1 and a half hour with Tokushima line
・Address Misatoaza Ohgami, Yoshinogawashi, Tokushima
・Map
Fee & reservation
Free of charge
No need for reservation
Official site
http://www.city.yoshinogawa.lg.jp/
2.＜Kagawa＞ Manno park “winter fantasy” -18th Nov. 2017 – 3rd Jan. 2018 (Plan)
Source: staff blog
At Shikoku, Kagawa prefecture, county owned Sanuki Manno Park is located. At the large park, four seasons flowers are blooming. At the huge lawn plaza, playing toys for children, one of the biggest auto camp park in Shikoku etc are there so that you can enjoy the full day with these facilities.
At this country owned Sanuki Manno Park, illumination event will be held. During the event, opening houses will be extended until 20 o’clock. All over the park, 550 thousand pieces of illumination and light up will be shinning.
There are many places to see. Entrance plaza, green and stone vista, rising dragon water fall, wind and flowers garden and lawn plaza will become fantastic lighting spaces. Symbol tree is 10m height.
The theme of this 12 years is “～Flower & Green～”. The 10m height symbol tree at the entrance plaza and others will make the night park fascinating. Inside the garden, there’s auto camping park and possible to stay even in winter. It is recommended to stay at cabin like a log house to enjoy illumination.
Schedule
18th Nov. 2017 – 3rd Jan. 2018
17:30～20:00（open 9:30～
On SAT. SUN. Holidays, 25th-28th Dec. , 1st-3rd Jan. Extended until 21:00)
Access. & Address
Kagawa prefecture Manno town, country owned Sanuki Manno Park, entrance plaza and others.
・JR Dosan line “Kotohira” station. 5 minutes walk
・From Sakaide station Yosan line. About 40 minutes
・Address 4243-12, Yoshino, Manno town, Kagawa prefecture
・Map
Fee & reservation
Need entrance fee
Entrance fee： Adult（over 15 years old）410yen / Elementary school and junior high school students 80 yen / child before going school free / over 65 years old 210yen. Please check details at official website of country owned Sanuki Manno Park)
No need for reservation
Official site
3.＜Kochi＞Kochi castle winter shining 22nd – 24th Dec. 2017
Source: Mochi castle
Kochi castle is called Eagle castle in other words. It has about 400 years history and famous as historical castle. Castle tower, main palace and Otemon and so on still remain.The site of a castle is designated as country historic spot. It is also set as Japanese 100 selections of castle.
This castle tower, courtyard, Ninomaru of this Kochi castle will have light up of Christmas and called as “Kochi castle winter shining”. Around the castle, many illuminations will make a fascinating atmosphere.
During the event, there is a food court and local foods are used. At Kaitoku building, opening houses are extended until 20:30 to enter and you can enjoy night view from the castle tower and jazz live.
Schedule
22nd – 24th Dec. 2017
17:00～21:00
Access & address
Kochi city, Kochi castle, Honnaru, Ninomaru, Castle tower and Kochi part
JR “Kochi station”. 25 minutes walk
From Kochi airport. Take Kochi airport line to Harimaya bashi. From Harimaya bashi, Tosaden In line, about 25 minutes.
・Address: 1-2-1, Marunouchi, Kochi city, Kochi prefecture.
・Map
Fee & reservation
Free of charge ※ Castle tower needs entrance fee
No need for reservation
Official site
Traditional festival
4.＜Kagawa＞Kotohiragi jyoya festival -31st Dec. 2017
Source: koubatei blog
Kotohira guys is a shirin, located in the middle of Zouzu mountain at Kotohoracho, Nakatadogun, Kagawa prefecture. It is called Konpirasan and familiar. It is often written as 金毘羅宮 and sometimes as 琴平宮 but it is the same one.
Kotohiragu’s biggest feature is the long long stairs. From entrance approach to the main Shirin (Hongu), there are 785 steps of stones. (To the rear shirin, it has 1,368 steps!). It’s very hard but by going through, you can get the feeling of achievement.。
This Kotohiragu helds Jyoya festival event every year end. Jyoya festival is held after “Ooharai ceremony”. It is to thank the good bless of the full year and to wish for the upcoming year bless.
Kotohiragu has its faithbelief widely from ancient times for sea God, rich harvest, good haul, business prosperity and so on. From all over Japan, all of the people has been praying. Many people visit here and celebrate New Year.
At omotesando (main approach), many souvenir shops and restaurants are in line and very energetic. Why don’t you try going during your visit.
Schedule
31st Dec. 2017
19:00～
Access & address
・Venue
Kotohiragu. Kotohoracho, Kagawa prefecture
・Access
JR Dosan line “Kotohiragu station” 10 minutes walk
・From Takamatu airport, take limousine bus. About 1 hour and 10 minutes with JR Dosan line
・Address 892-1, Kotohoracho, Kagawa prefecture
・Map
Fee & reservation
Free of charge
No need for reservation
Official site
Event to enjoy nature
5.＜Kochi＞ Chikurinji autumn leaves – Middle of Nov. – beginning of Dec. 2017
Source: Take pictures with mountain village and nature of Shikoku
Chikurinji was established by Gyoki. This temple was authorized as Shikoku 88 reijyo fudasho by Kobo daishi and one of the oldest temples in Tosa.
Chikurinji is famous for the garden, made by Musoukokushi and recognized as one of the 3 great gardens in Kochi prefecture. Needless to say about countries great garden, the Autumn leaves are beautiful and worthwhile visiting.
On the only the garden, there are many spots to see. The main hall temple to worship Monjubosatu, Daishido to worship Koubodaishi and 31m hight five-storied pagoda all made by Japanese cypress are worthwhile visiting. Garden autumn leaves could be enjoyed from reception hall.
Autumn leaves of temple Grounds will be beautiful around 25th and 26th Nov. And Chikurinji autumn festival will be held. Many events on stage and art festival will be held on stage.
Schedule
Middle of Nov. – beginning of Dec. 2017
Light up PM5：00～8：00
Chikurinji autumn festival： 25th and 26th, Nov. 2017
25th Nov. : 10:00-20:00, 26th Nov. 10:00- 17:00
※ Treasury building and garden am8：30-pm5：00
Access & address
・Venue
Kochi city. Chikurinji
・From JR Dosan line Kochi station. 20 minutes by car
・From Kochi Ryoma airport, take atosaden traffic airport connected bus. JR Tosa line about 40 minutes.
・Address 3577, Godaisan, Kochi city, Kochi prefecture
・Map
Fee & reservation
Free of charge
※Treasury building and garden common ticket: 400yen
No need for reservation