Even though my time spent in Shikoku was mostly under an umbrella and cloudy skies, it only added to the beautiful landscapes. My favorite area was probably the Iya Valley, home to vine bridges and scarecrows. Read more below!
Now THIS is a castle! Completed around 1628, it is one of only 12 castles to be considered ‘original,’ meaning the main keep has survived since at least 1868; the current keep of Matsuyama Castle was built in 1820 after being destroyed by lightning. Some famous castles, like...
Crazy to think that this month last year, I was off exploring Shikoku with friends for a week; looking forward to being able to travel again, both domestically and internationally! Back in the old days, people in the Iya Valley would cross the many rivers and gorges using bridges made of...
Today’s post is a continuation of The Unsettling Nagoro Scarecrows; read it here! When we heard the soft voices of children singing, all of us tensed and began looking around, eyes wide, before laughing at ourselves. “We’ve overstayed our welcome!” we laughed...
Tucked away in Shikoku’s remote Iya Valley is the small village of Nagoro. While this was once a bustling place, the current number of residents stands at only around 35 people… …and over 300 scarecrows. Visiting the Nagoro Scarecrows This place is literally impossible...