Silver Week 2021 Part 1 – Ehime

Hooray to Silver Week!

I’ve mentioned previously that in in September there are two public holidays, 敬老の日 (Respect for the aged day) 👵🏻 and 秋分の日 (Autumnal Equinox Day) 🍁 which fall on 20th and 23rd respectively this year.  By adding a few annual leaves, I have 9 days off work to explore this beautiful country, Japan.

Although many of the prefectures’ state of emergency has been extended until the end of the month, Tokyo’s daily infection rate has fallen below 1,000 (worst time were above 5,000) and people who have had 2 shots of vaccinations are above 50%, surpassing the US’ national stats.

With 2 shots of vaccination and as usual taking precaution and consideration for the locals, my husband and I are heading to the western part of Japan where we haven’t really explored yet.

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I had booked a flight to Matsuyama on Friday night but on the way to the airport, due to heavy rain and typhoon, my flight was cancelled 😱…

Today’s post was going to be a little bit about my first night in Matsuyama but as I’m still in Tokyo, I’ll share a little bit about Ehime prefecture.

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About 愛媛県 (Ehime prefecture)

• Ehime’s capital city 松山 (Matsuyama) is the most populous city in Shikoku region (which includes Ehime, Kagawa, Tokushima and Kochi)🏯
• 多々羅大橋 (Tatara Ohashi) in Ehime is Japan’s longest cable-stayed bridge with the length of 1,480m that is part of Shimanami Kaido.
• The world’s longest 3 suspension bridges in a row are also part of Shimanami Kaido
• Matsuyama castle is one of the preserved castles built before Edo period 
• Regional cuisine:
  • Snapper 🐟
  • Citrus including orange 🍊

Although Ehime is not in a state of emergency (the worst daily covid infection record was only 66 in July 2021 and now the daily infection rate is around 10), Ehime has closed most of their attractions in an attempt to reduce travel.　

They have closed Matsuyama castle❌, Dogo Onsen❌ as well as bicycle rentals for Shimanami Kaido❌. Definitely, a shame that our visit will be limited but still keen to explore the town.

Starting from Ehime in Shikoku, here is our plan for this trip (but who knows what will change from now when my flight has already changed!).

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Silver Week itinerary

Over the 9 days during Silver Week of 2021, we are planning to: 

• Explore Matsuyama city in Ehime prefecture including the famous historical wooden onsen, 道後温泉本館 (Dogo onsen honkan)
• Cycle しまなみ海道 (Shimanami Kaido) that connects Ehime prefecture and Hiroshima prefecture by bridges along multiple islands
• Explore Hiroshima city
• Drive around to the most western prefecture of Honshu (Japan’s main island), Yamaguchi prefecture
• Visit 出雲大社 (Izumo Taisha), the shrine where all the gods converge in October in Shimane prefecture
• Walk around Japan’s largest sand dune in Tottori prefecture
• Soak in Japan’s first World Heritage Site, 三朝温泉(Misaasa onsen)
• Continue the onsen journey to 城崎温泉 (Kinosaki onsen village) in Hyogo prefecture
• Head south to 有馬温泉 (Arima onsen) with gold and silver onsen
• Check out Hyogo prefecture’s capital city, Kobe

We’re hoping to visit 6 prefectures, soak in lots of onsen, lots of driving and pretty sceneries along the way.

I’m hoping to share the travel experience next weekend from the road!

Hope you have a safe weekend.👋🏻