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@ Cliff Path, Shikoku
Samantha begins her journey through Shikoku!
Cliff Path, Shikoku
One of the advantages of living on an island is the unparalleled opportunity for incredible clifftop walks, to benefit from the fresh air and exercise, to view the flora and fauna of the area and to enjoy the benefits of nature. After your trek around Shikoku's coastline, relax in an onsen (hot spring) to soothe away that ache in your muscles!

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@ Cherry Blossoms in Bud

White Daisy Egg
My pets are in awe of these beautiful eggs—they would love to try to paint their own one year. Easter and spring are times of joy as the earth awakens, plants are pushing forth from the soil, and the days are becoming warmer. Many baby animals are born in the spring, and life is burgeoning. May these eggs bring you joy and be a reminder of the earth renewing itself.

Cherry Blossoms in Bud
The beautiful blooms of the cherry blossom are one of the surest and most celebrated signs of spring. Cherry blossoms emerge before the leaves on the trees do, and the first sign of their impending arrival are green buds on the branches of the tree.

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@ Naruto Bridge, Shikoku
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Samantha!" said Choose a name.
"Oh, I couldn't resist touring the shops! Anyway, what did you eat?"
"We had butternut squash miso soup, sprinkled with fresh coriander and with a slice of sourdough bread on the side. It was yummy!"

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@ Ritsurin Garden, Shikoku
"Let's learn a bit of Japanese from our brochure, Samantha!" said seema. "So to say 'yes' is 'hai'—pronounced 'hi'."
"That seems simple enough! How do you say 'no'?"
"That's iie—two syllables, pronounced 'ee-eh' ".

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@ Autumnal Ginkgo Leaves
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Samantha!" said Clover.
"Oh, I couldn't resist touring the shops! Anyway, what did you eat?"
"We had butternut squash miso soup, sprinkled with fresh coriander and with a slice of sourdough bread on the side. It was yummy!"
Autumnal Ginkgo Leaves
Soft focus golden/orange ginkgo leaves in autumnal sunshine make a soothing picture.

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@ Stone Lantern in Japan
"How are we getting across to Shikoku, Samantha?" queried Sylvantra. "Do we have to go by boat?"
"No, it's fine, there's a bridge from Honshu," responded Samantha. "Or rather, a system of three bridges, which crosses several small islands on the way."
Stone Lantern in Japan
This type of Japanese stone lantern is typically found by a pond or lake. The "fire box" beneath the crowning stone umbrella is usually hexagonal. This traditional stonemasonry dates back to the Edo period.

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@ Samurai Warrior at Sunset
"It says in our itinerary that Shikoku means 'four provinces' in Japanese, Samantha."
"What's Japanese for 'four', then, Marmite?"
"It's 'shi', and 'provinces' is 'chihō'. So put together it becomes Shikoku!"
Samurai Warrior at Sunset
Stylish artwork featuring silhouette of lone samurai warrior with sword against a setting sun.

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@ Pink Lotus Flower
"It says in our itinerary that Shikoku means 'four provinces' in Japanese, Samantha."
"What's Japanese for 'four', then, midnught?"
"It's 'shi', and 'provinces' is 'chihō'. So put together it becomes Shikoku!"
Pink Lotus Flower
Lotus flower; lnelumbo nucifera.

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@ Tiny Green Frogs
"It says here that Shikoku is the smallest of the main islands, Samantha. The population is about four million."
"There's still plenty to see and enjoy, Hearts!"

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@ Traditional Japanese Dwelling
"According to our itinerary, we'll be visiting Mt Ishizuchi today," remarked Jinx.
"Gosh, will we be climbing it, Samantha?"
Samantha chuckled. "We'll leave you behind to do that if you wish. It's 6500 feet (1982 m) high! Now listen to the rest of it. It's one of Japan's seven sacred peaks. Named the 'Stone Hammer' because of its characteristic sharp and rocky summit, it is the highest peak in western Japan and is known not only for its beauty but also for the challenge it presents climbers."
Traditional Japanese Dwelling
Traditional wooden Japanese-style house.

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@ Japanese Hair Ornaments
"Hey, we're going to see a castle today, Samantha! It's one of Shikoku's four original castles."
"Wow! What are they called, Phimi ツ?"
"Marugame, Kōchi, Matsuyama and Uwajima."
"You know, I was hoping we'd see Takeshi's Castle while we were here."
"I do hope that was a joke, Samantha!"
Japanese Hair Ornaments
"kanzashi" - hair ornaments

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@ Origami Sphere
The Awa Dance Festival, Awa Odori, is held from 12 to 15 August as part of the Obon festival in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku in Japan. Awa Odori is the largest dance festival in Japan, attracting over 1.3 million tourists every year. Groups of choreographed dancers and musicians known as ren dance through the streets, typically accompanied by the shamisen lute, taiko drums and the shinobue flute. Performers wear traditional obon dance costumes, and chant and sing as they parade through the streets.

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@ Rice Wine with Guinomi
"As well as the castle, there are hot springs at Matsuyama, Samantha!" announced Choose a name.
"Sounds good to me!"

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@ Sea of Clouds, Japan
"Let's learn a bit of Japanese from our brochure, Samantha!" said Fino. "So to say 'yes' is 'hai'—pronounced 'hi'."
"That seems simple enough! How do you say 'no'?"
"That's iie—two syllables, pronounced 'ee-eh' ".

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@ Japanese Calligraphy
Oh look ... you won a pet!

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@ Shikoku Mountain Range
"Japan—the perfect choice for our travels this January, Samantha!" enthused Maggie Moo.
"Yup. That Japanese Food & Cultural bazaar was incredible! I bought so many souvenirs I can't close my suitcase!"
"Oh! I was thinking more of its rich history, the Shoguns, Samurai, architecture and so on," said Maggie Moo.
Samantha selected a glazed mochi donut for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the box to Maggie Moo. "Sure!" she said, a little indistinctly. "You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."

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@ Shimanami Highway, Ehime
"Remind me how to say 'good morning' to a Japanese pet, Innes?" queried Samantha. "I know one of the US states comes into it!"
Innes grinned. "You mean ohayō gozaimasu! Yes, pronounced 'Ohio goz-eye-mass'!"

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@ Mt Tsurugi, Tokushima
The Awa Dance Festival, Awa Odori, is held from 12 to 15 August as part of the Obon festival in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku in Japan. Awa Odori is the largest dance festival in Japan, attracting over 1.3 million tourists every year. Groups of choreographed dancers and musicians known as ren dance through the streets, typically accompanied by the shamisen lute, taiko drums and the shinobue flute. Performers wear traditional obon dance costumes, and chant and sing as they parade through the streets.

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@ Mountain Road, Shikoku
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Samantha," said Choose a name, "for this experience alone?"
Samantha, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!

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@ Japan Sign
The Dutch were allowed to trade with Japan during its isolation between the 1630s and 1853. Foreign trade continued with the Netherlands for the 220 years of isolation. They were only allowed one tiny little port to live in, called Dejima, in modern-day Nagasaki.
Japan Sign
In our January 2023 Travel Game we celebrate the amazing country of Japan, its culture, traditions and food. This symbolic sign, in the colours of the Japanese flag, evokes the vibrant nightlife of Tokyo, the Japanese capital.

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@ Japanese Sake Ochoko
"That was the most delicious orange juice I've ever tasted at breakfast this morning, Samantha!"
"Well, His Royal Highness, did you know that mandarin oranges are a major product in Shikoku, and they're extra-delicious because of the amount of sunlight they get whilst growing!" responded his friend.
Japanese Sake Ochoko
In Japan there are very precise traditions around eating and drinking. The ochoko pictured here is for the ceremonial drinking of cold saké, as compared to the guinomi.

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@ Onaruto Bridge, Naruto Strait
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Samantha," said choco, "for this experience alone?"
Samantha, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!

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@ Shrine Purification Ritual
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Samantha!" said Pookey.
"Oh, I couldn't resist touring the shops! Anyway, what did you eat?"
"We had butternut squash miso soup, sprinkled with fresh coriander and with a slice of sourdough bread on the side. It was yummy!"
Shrine Purification Ritual
Chozuya have historically been vital parts of Shinto shrines across Japan, acting as a purification gateway between worshippers and the sacred area of a shrine. Purifying yourself is a very important step to take before making any prayers or offerings at a temple or shrine in Japan. Chozu (cleansing yourself) is the customary way to clean or purify yourself before making any prayers at shrines or temples in Japan. The Chozuya is the large basin with special wooden dippers that is usually located at the entrance of shrines and temples. It is customary for visitors to purify themselves here by washing their hands before stepping on sacred grounds.

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@ Windmill, Kagawa
“Let's practise some Japanese phrases, Samantha!" said Wrex. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Arigato!”
Clutching the postcard, he looked at his friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Dozo—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Samantha looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Wrex? If I've performed a very minor service and you've said 'Thank you', do I need to say anything back? It's not like I made you a cake or mowed your lawn. I just handed you a postcard. You said 'thank you'. Couldn't I just smile slightly or something?"
Wrex mused for some minutes. "The English language lacks the exact equivalent of dozo or similar phrases in use in Continental Europe. Still, when in Rome ...!"

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@ Rice Fields, Japan
Samantha has now completed her journey through Shikoku! As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!
Fox, Skating On The Pond
Hello, all my dear friends. Glad you could join me on this crisp winter day. I brought my skates, and I see you have yours too. Skating is a popular wintertime sport. Nowadays, with indoor rinks– can you imagine such a thing–you can skate all year round. But I prefer to be outside, and this pond is large enough and smooth enough to provide a lot of fun for all to skate.

I am going to warm up a bit— always a good idea—stretch those muscles and then do some pirouettes. I have been practicing some double axels I have a problem with the second one. After we have skated for a while, how about we play some hockey? Then we can enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies at my house.

Rice Fields, Japan
Nakayama rice fields, Shodoshima. Rice is a staple part of the Japanese diet, for example, in sushi, and it is felt more important in Japan to have a rice cooker than an oven.
Samantha has enjoyed her journey through Shikoku, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy a journey through Japan!