'Shikoku Green Travel' - Making full use of express trains and taking a trip on all JR Shikoku lines - Day 4
Using the JR Shikoku Green Travel Ticket, which is valid for four days and allows you to ride in green seats on limited express trains, I decided to go on a train ride trip with the goal of 'riding all of JR Shikoku's lines and sections'. The only lines left are the Tokushima Line between Awa-Ikeda and Sako, and the Naruto Line between Ikeya and Naruto.
Shikoku Green Travelogue | Shikoku Travel JR Shikoku Tour (Ekikomi)
The first day of the trip started in Takamatsu, traveling via Matsuyama and Uwajima to Sukumo.
I tried a trip to ride all the JR Shikoku lines by making full use of express trains on the 'Shikoku Green Journey' - Day 1 - GIGAZINE
On the second day, we traveled by train from Sukumo to Nahari, then took a bus and a DMV around Cape Muroto, entered Tokushima Prefecture, and headed north along the eastern side of Shikoku again to Takamatsu.
On the third day, we went from Takamatsu to Kochi, then took the Yodo Line to Uwajima and then to Matsuyama.
The final day, the 4th day, starts in Matsuyama.
The remaining two sections I hadn't ridden on the fourth day were between Awa-Ikeda and Sako on the Tokushima Line, and between Ikeya and Naruto on the Naruto Line. From Matsuyama, the fastest way is to take the Shiokaze or Ishizuchi Express to Tadotsu, then the Nanpu or Shimanto Express to Awa-Ikeda. If I take the first train, Shiokaze No. 4, which departs at 5:05, I'll arrive at Naruto at 10:37 and my destination will be complete. That would be a waste, so since I had ridden the entire Iyotetsu suburban train line and some of the city trains (streetcars) the day before, I decided to ride the remaining sections before leaving Matsuyama that day.
◆ Walk: From hotel to Dogo Onsen
Since I was there, I decided to go to Dogo Onsen first thing in the morning. However, the first train from Dogo Onsen leaves at 6:01, but the first train that arrives at Dogo Onsen arrives at 6:38. I didn't want to waste time waiting for the train, so I decided to walk there.
A road built on an abandoned railway line that runs northeast from behind Ehime Bank's head office on the corner of Katsuyama intersection.
The history of this section of the line is explained in an explanatory article on the Iyotetsu official blog. The line I'm walking on is the former Dogo Railway, which was merged into Iyotetsu, and the current Iyotetsu line to Dogo Onsen was the Matsuyama Electric Tramway.
Study of route maps: The evolution of Iyotetsu streetcars | Iyotetsu Official Blog
https://iyotetsublog.com/2022/03/18/post-1833/
The Iyotetsu railway line came into view. Apparently, when Iyotetsu and Matsuyama Electric Tramway were competing, there was an overpass.
If you continue straight and follow the road, the abandoned railway line will be replaced by residential areas.
Continuing east along a road close to the abandoned railway line, we arrived at the train depot on the west side of Dogo Onsen Station.
At Dogo Onsen Station, the train bound for JR Matsuyama Station was waiting to depart.
The '
You can also board the train on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Arcade leading to Dogo Onsen.
It takes 5 minutes on foot from the station to reach
The admission fee for adults is 700 yen. The baths were very busy from the morning, and I was there just as the people who had entered at the opening time were leaving.
◆Iyotetsu Railway
We leave Dogo Onsen on the 6:42am train.
The city tram was undergoing track resurfacing work.
Matsuyama Castle.
Arrived at Matsuyama City Station. The city tram rotary is scheduled to be relocated by 2025.
I also rode the Honmachi Line, which has only been operating on weekdays since the COVID-19 outbreak. The line runs from Matsuyama-shi Station north along National Route 196, which runs along the west side of Matsuyama Castle, to Honmachi-Rokuchome Station. Since you can get from Honmachi-Rokuchome to Matsuyama-shi Station via the loop line, the decrease in passengers makes sense, but since the loop line is often very crowded, some people seem to be choosing to ride the Honmachi Line where they can sit.
To the north of Otemachi Station, there is a diamond crossing (level crossing) between suburban trains and city trains. It is the only level crossing between railroads and tramways (streetcars) in Japan.
This is what it looks like when you watch the Diamond Cross from the railroad crossing near Otemachi Station.
Iyotetsu Otemachi Station Diamond Crossing bound for Furumachi City Train - YouTube
From Otemachi Station to JR Matsuyama Station, it is one stop by the city tram, or a little over 5 minutes on foot.
◆Shiokaze No. 12: Matsuyama → Tadotsu
On the wall of JR Matsuyama Station was a message from the Ehime Prefecture Shinkansen Introduction Promotion Association that read, 'Shinkansen to Shikoku! To Ehime!'
From Matsuyama, take the Shiokaze Express No. 12 to Tadotsu, where you can transfer to the Dosan Line.
The Shiokaze and Ishizuchi express trains, which run between Okayama/Takamatsu and Matsuyama, and the Uwakai express train, which runs between Matsuyama and Uwajima, stop in front of and behind the platform to facilitate transfers.
Express trains arrived on the next platform and beyond, so five trains gathered together.
I took the Green Car to Tadotsu.
Electric reclining seats with power outlets.
After leaving Matsuyama Station, there is a short section where the Iyotetsu Takahama Line runs parallel to the line.
We have arrived at Tadotsu Station.
In front of the station there is a monument that reads 'Birthplace of Shikoku Railway.'
◆ Tosan Line Local: Tadotsu → Awa-Ikeda
If I take the Nanpu 7 train leaving Tadotsu at 11:56, I will arrive at Awa-Ikeda at 12:33, but since this will be my second consecutive day on this route, I decided to take the local train leaving at 11:39. I arrived at Awa-Ikeda at 12:48. The train departs after the freight train parked next to it departs.
The Dosan Line branches off to the left west of Tadotsu Station.
We were overtaken by the Anpanman train.
You will pass through a long tunnel at the border between Kagawa and Tokushima prefectures.
Just beyond the tunnel is the secluded station of Tsubojiri.
Local trains first enter the left-hand tracks and then switch back onto the right-hand tracks before arriving at Tsubojiri Station.
The train arrived at Tsubojiri Station.
The express train rushes through without making any switchbacks.
Go down along the Yoshino River and cross the Yoshino River Bridge.
It merges with the Tokushima Line at Tsukuda Station.
Just then, a local train bound for Tokushima came. If I changed trains, I would arrive at Tokushima at 14:49, but this time I decided to skip it.
We have arrived at Awa-Ikeda Station.
The previous train was a local train departing at 12:37, and the next one was the limited express Tsurugiyama No. 8 departing at 14:30. Since I had about two hours, I decided to have lunch in Awa-Ikeda and relax.
◆Awa Ikeda
The exterior of Awa-Ikeda Station.
On the east side of the station is Hesokko Park, named after the fact that the park is located in Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture, which is known as the 'navel of Shikoku.'
There are several restaurants in the arcade in front of the station. This time, I went to a cafe called
Recommended lunches are 'Iya Gibier Roasted Venison Rice Bowl' and 'Mugi Town Direct Uwajima Taimeshi Style Seafood Rice Bowl.' Since I had already eaten Taimeshi on this trip, I went for the Roasted Venison Rice Bowl.
It comes with soup, salad, and a drink and costs 1,200 yen including tax. It's very filling.
The bus terminal where buses depart from all directions is located a short distance from the station.
It is also possible to head towards Kazurabashi Bridge in Iya.
On some routes, the Onsen Musume
Miyoshi City is also famous for hosting the
The building is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.
You can buy alcohol inside.
The townscape of Udatsu Street has a unique atmosphere.
I returned to the station. Express trains to various destinations were about to depart.
◆ Mount Tsurugi No. 8: Awa-Ikeda to Tokushima
The Tsurugiyama Express will take you across the Tokushima Line in one go.
Three express trains were waiting at the same time: the Tsurugiyama Express bound for Tokushima, the Nanpu Express bound for Kochi, and the Nanpu Express bound for Okayama.
The Yoshino River is on the left side of the direction of travel.
To the right of the road, mountains approach and residential areas can be seen in the distance.
As we entered Tokushima city, Mt. Bizan came into view ahead to the right. The antennas on the left are near the summit, and the building on the right is the
At 15:51, I arrived at Tokushima Station. Soon after, the local train bound for Awa-Ikeda departed.
◆Tokutoku Line/Naruto Line Local: Tokushima → Naruto
Finally, I board a local train bound for Naruto, heading for the last section I have not yet ridden.
Just before Iketani Station, where the Naruto Line branches off, birds were gathering in what appeared to be a lotus root field.
Many people commute to school on the evening trains.
We arrived at Naruto Station at 4:37 p.m. This marked the end of our journey on all of JR Shikoku's lines and sections.
◆Naruto Line, Uzushio 24, Marine Liner 56: Tokushima → Takamatsu → Okayama
Although I accomplished my goal, my journey continues until I get home. From Naruto Station, I could take a local bus to Konarutohashi Bridge and then take the express bus to Naruto Interchange stop to head towards Osaka, but I still had time to make the most of my 'Shikoku Green Travelogue' so I decided to turn around and head to Okayama from Takamatsu on the Marine Liner.
I'll return to Iketani on the same train I took earlier.
Iketani Station has a Y-shaped platform, with the left side of the photo branching off into the Kotoku Line towards Takamatsu, and the right side branching off into the Naruto Line towards Naruto.
Naruto Line trains passing each other, seen from the platform for Takamatsu.
After waiting for 20 minutes, the Uzushio 24 express train bound for Takamatsu arrived from Tokushima.
I boarded the last express train of the trip. If I had taken the Naruto Line train to Tokushima, the Uzushio 24 would have departed from Tokushima Station first, so I would not have been able to transfer.
At Takamatsu Station, I had eight minutes to spare before transferring to the Marine Liner No. 61 rapid train.
The 'Shikoku Green Travel' is a JR Shikoku ticket, so it is valid only up to Kojima Station, the first station on the main island of Japan. This time, I used the 'Shikoku Green Travel' to reserve a green seat on the Marine Liner, so in addition to the ticket from Kojima to Okayama, I also purchased a green ticket for the same seat. The train arrived at Okayama Station at 7:33 p.m.
The total cost of transportation from leaving Takamatsu on the first day to arriving in Okayama on the fourth day was 31,660 yen, including 23,000 yen for the Shikoku Green Travelogue.
Below is a map showing my itinerary within Shikoku. The dark brown line shows my travels on the 4th day, the red line shows my travels by train on the 1st to 3rd days, and the blue line shows my travels by bus. I have shown the Iyotetsu suburban trains around Matsuyama with orange lines, but I have omitted the city trains, as they were too detailed.
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