Guide to the best 6 must see events in Shikoku area in November 2017
Shikoku area is made of four different prefectures: Tokushima, Kagawa, Kouchi and Ehime. There are historical/culture, nature and modern art events in this area that are only happening in November. If you visit Japan in November, you would want to check them out.
Historical/culture experience events
** ** １．Tobe Toukaidou Bunka Matsuri – Chosanhin Festa Ehime, Japan-2017.11.4.～5
Source: いよ観ネット
Tobe Toukaidou Bunka Matsuri, Chosannhin Festa is an event that residents of Tobe area of Iyo, Ehime, Japan, would exhibit and sell their local products. For example, you would be able to buy Nanaorekoume (high quliy plams), Miso, Soy sources, and traditional sweets. They are all made using local products. You would also be able to buy special china called Tobe Yaki. This two days event would give you an opportunity to discover this local town’s history and food culture. Even though you don’t buy anything, you would feel local’s warm atmosphere just by walking around the event.
Schedule
2017.11.4（sat）9:00-17:00
2017.11.5（sun）9:00-16:00
Access & address
・Tobecho, Toukaidou Yutori Koen
・From Iyo Tetsudou Matsuyama shi station, take Iyotetsu Bus , get off Tobechouyakuba nishi about 10 min walk
・Tobecho, Iyo, Ehime
Tobemachisenzoku 400
・Map
Price & booking
Its free event/no booking needed
Official site
http://www.tobe-kanko.jp/news/2014/09/000347.html
２．Autumn Tobe Yaki Matsuri, Ehime, Japan-2017.11.4～5
Source: Event Information 株式会社エス・ピー・シー
Autumn Tobe Yaki Matsuri is taking place at the same place and time as Tobe Toukaidou Bunka Matsuri. The master 60 creators of Tobe Yaki (special china products originated from this area) gather together to exhibit their craftsmanship and sell their masterpieces. Tobe Yaki is famous for their distinctive designs and they are one of Ehime prefecture’s historical products. At the event, you would be able to enjoy local food stools as well as some local traditional performance showings. This is a family-friendly event. If you are interested in Japanese traditional artifacts and locals’ history and people’s everyday life, you would want to check this event.
Schedule
2017.11.4（sat）9:00-17:00
2017.11.5（sun）9:00-16:00
Access & address
・Tobecho, Toukaidou Yutori Koen
・From Iyo Tetsudou Matsuyama shi station, take Iyotetsu Bus , get off Tobechouyakuba nishi about 10 min walk
・Tobecho, Iyo, Ehime
400 Tobemachisenzoku
・Map
Price & booking
Its free event/no booking needed
Official site
http://www.tobe-kanko.jp/news/2014/09/000123.html
３．Tobe Toukaidou Bunka Matsuri – Hirota Furusato Festa-2017.11.5
Source: Event Information 株式会社エス・ピー・シー
Tobe Toukaidou Bunka Matsuri – Hirota Furusato Festa is taking place in Hirota area of Iyo, Ehime, Japan. Hirota is located between mountains, this unique local town would offer you their local products and share their local traditional shows. If you want to have a break from Japanese food there is a western style restaurant that offers you a menu with local greens. At their event stage, you would see professional singer’s performance, as well as kids shows. If you are family traveller, this event is for you! If you are interested in life in suburban areas in Japan, this is a well-suited event.
Schedule
2017.11.5（sun）9:00-16:00
Access & address
・Hirota Kouryu Center
・nearest station : JR「Iyoyamanaka station」 about 9km away、10 min drive
JR「Matsuyama station」45 min drive
・409 Souzu, Tobecho, Iyo, Ehime
・Map
Price & booking
It’s free event and no booking needed
Official site
http://www.tobe-kanko.jp/news/2014/09/000347.html
４．Dougo Onsenart 2018 – Ehime Japan – 2017.9.2～2019.2.28
Source: flickr
Dougo Onsenart 2018 is a long event which is taking place from September 2nd 2017 to February 28th 2019. Dougo Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Japan. In the film Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki, the main hot spring building was based on Dougo Onsen Main building design. This is an art event so the event organizer wants visitors to enjoy art while they are relaxing by visiting the hot spring. The motto of this event is “homage to Dougo Onsen”, about 20 artists took parts and created and displayed their work around the area. If you are into Japanese modern art, this is an event for you.
Schedule
2017.9.2（sat）～2019.2.28（Thursday）18 months
※2017.9.2.～2018.4.13 soft opening
from 2018.4.14 official opening
Access & address
・Dougo Onsen
・From JR「Matsuyama station」take tram about 20 min get off “DougoOnsen” about 5 min walk
・５−６ Dougoyunomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime
・Map
Price & booking
Its free event, no booking needed
※However if you stay at a hotel or use the hot spring facility, there are fees and booking would occur.
Official site
Nature observation** event**
５．Niyodogawa Soft rafting tour in Niyodo River -2017.end of April ～beginning of November
Source: 高知県越知町公式サイト
Niyodo River is flowing in Takaoka, Kouchi, Japan. Niyodogawa soft rafting tour would take you in 8 people’s rafting boat to go down the river while you enjoy the beauty of Ochi town’s nature around the river. The tour is only running end of April to beginning of November. Niyodo River is well known its clean water like Shimanto River in Kouchi and Yoshin River in Nara. This is not a hardcore rafting, anyone over 3 years old can join in. there are different prices for adult and children, but all prices include a pair of river shoes, a waterproof jacket, an insurance and a tour guide/instructor. You need to bring own swimming costume to wear underneath. You need to book two days in advance and you can do so on line.
Schedule
・End of April to beginning of November
・Morning session from 9:00～/afternoon session 13:30～ one session is 3 hours long
Access & address
・Miyanomae Kouen : front of canoe storage
or
Meet and finish at Choumeiji Junior Hight School, Ochi, Kouchi:
・Bus Stop Miyanomae Kouen
or
JR「Nishisagawa station」or「Sagawa station」25min drive
To 「Nishisagawa station」take JRDosansensusaki from Kouchi station about 50 min
・Miyanomae Kouen address
708 Ochicyouochihei, Takaoka, Kouchi
・at Choumeiji Junior Hight School address：
8720-1 Kamaidahonson, Ochichou, Oka, Takaoka, Kouchi
・Map
Price & booking
・price：adult 5500yen、under 12 4500 yen（from 3 years old）
・two days advance booking required by phone or on line
Official Site
http://www.ochi-kankou.jp/event/canoetour.html
Modern art event
６．The world of Moomin – Tove Jansson’s exhibition of his whole process of making his picture book – Kouchi-2017.9.16～11.5
Source: それでも、東アジアのななめ上を目指す。
The world of Moomin – Tove Jansson’s exhibition of his whole process of making his picture book is about Tove Jansson’s Moomin books. It’s open from September 16th 2017 to November 5th 2017. It’s taking place at Kouchi’s local comic writer Ryuichi Yokoyama memorial hall. They focus on making of a new picture book of Moomin. You can actually see three of Tove Jansson’s original work and his animation work. After Jansson’s death, official re-constructors Mr. and Mrs. Kaarla are publishing Moomin books; their work is also shown at this event.
Schedule
・2017.9.16（sat）～ until 11.5.（sun）
・opening hour 9:00-18:00
Access & address
・Inside Kouchi-shi Bunka Plaza Karu Port , Ryuichi Yokoyama memorial comic hall, exhibition room
・From JR「Kouchi station」take TosadenKoutsuu, get off Harimayabashi, about 5 min walk
・Kutanda, Kouchi, Kouchi
Inside Kouchi-shi Bunka Plaza Karu Port , Ryuichi Yokoyama memorial comic hall,
・Map
・price:
adult (general)：advanced booking700yen、at ticket booth 800yen
6 ～15 years old：advanced booking500yen、at ticket booth600yen
seniors (over 65)：400yen
No advance booking necessary