Discovering the hidden charms of Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Tokushima and more
Photos: Weekender
I never seem to tire of Japan, no matter how often I step foot into its maze of skyscrapers, shrines and pop cultural hangouts.
This time round, I found myself discovering the Setouchi area in the heart of autumn, where we luxuriated in a poetic dreamscape of fall foliage.
The region consists of a national park, calm inland seas and beautiful islands, in addition to historical buildings and cultural sites.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, we plunged into the quieter gems of the country — exploring the likes of Miyajima, Hiroshima, Imabari and more.
To explore Setouchi like a local, be sure to tick these 14 activities off your checklist:
7. Ride the Botchan Train
Don’t blink or you might miss the Botchan Train! What looks like a train sculpture is actually a functioning replica of a steam locomotive from the Iyo Railway that has been active for 67 years since 1888.
The name “Botchan” is derived from a novel of the same name by Natsume Soseki, in which the characters in the novel ride on the original steam locomotive.
And if the novel was anything to go by, the train conductor was as animated and cheerful as could be, leaving us grinning from ear to ear by the end of the short ride from Dogo Onsen Station to Matsuyama Station.
A single ride is 300 yen for adults and 200 yen for children.
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