Image 1/25

@ Cliff Path, Shikoku
Gwynedd 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!

Image 2/25

@ Cherry Blossoms in Bud

Blue And Copper Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

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.

Image 3/25

@ Naruto Bridge, Shikoku
"That was the most delicious orange juice I've ever tasted at breakfast this morning, Gwynedd!"
"Well, ypmblessed, 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 her friend.

Image 4/25

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

Image 5/25

@ Autumnal Ginkgo Leaves
"It says in our itinerary that Shikoku means 'four provinces' in Japanese, Gwynedd."
"What's Japanese for 'four', then, Mystique?"
"It's 'shi', and 'provinces' is 'chihō'. So put together it becomes Shikoku!"
Autumnal Ginkgo Leaves
Soft focus golden/orange ginkgo leaves in autumnal sunshine make a soothing picture.

Image 6/25

@ Stone Lantern in Japan
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Gwynedd," said Kipps, "for this experience alone?"
Gwynedd, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
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.

Image 7/25

@ Samurai Warrior at Sunset
“You know, I'd like to spend a whole week in this region here, Gwynedd!” said Alexander.
"It's very pleasant indeed—but you never know, the next part of the tour might be even better!" replied Gwynedd.
Samurai Warrior at Sunset
Stylish artwork featuring silhouette of lone samurai warrior with sword against a setting sun.

Image 8/25

@ Pink Lotus Flower
“Let's practise some Japanese phrases, Gwynedd!" said Heleena. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Arigato!”
Clutching the postcard, she looked at her friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Dozo—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Gwynedd looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Heleena? 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?"
Heleena 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 ...!"
Pink Lotus Flower
Lotus flower; lnelumbo nucifera.

Image 9/25

@ Tiny Green Frogs
"Hey, you should have joined Foxy and me for lunch at that café, Gwynedd!" said Jeff Jeffrey Jefferson.
"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!"

Image 10/25

@ Traditional Japanese Dwelling
"It says here that Shikoku is the smallest of the main islands, Gwynedd. The population is about four million."
"There's still plenty to see and enjoy, Wulfie!"
Traditional Japanese Dwelling
Traditional wooden Japanese-style house.

Image 11/25

@ Japanese Hair Ornaments
"It says here that Shikoku is the smallest of the main islands, Gwynedd. The population is about four million."
"There's still plenty to see and enjoy, Choose a name!"
Japanese Hair Ornaments
"kanzashi" - hair ornaments

Image 12/25

@ Origami Sphere
Sudoku was introduced in Japan in the paper Monthly Nikolist in 1984 as Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru which can be translated as "the digits must be single", or as "the digits are limited to one occurrence" (In Japanese, dokushin means an "unmarried person"). The name was later abbreviated to Sudoku, taking only the first kanji of compound words to form a shorter version. "Sudoku" is a registered trademark in Japan and the puzzle is generally referred to as Number Place.

Image 13/25

@ Rice Wine with Guinomi
Entranceways of Japanese houses called genkan signal where you should take off your shoes by means of its raised floors. The lower area indicates where you should remove your shoes and the raised upper area, often in a different type of flooring, is considered indoor living space.

Image 14/25

@ Sea of Clouds, Japan
Entranceways of Japanese houses called genkan signal where you should take off your shoes by means of its raised floors. The lower area indicates where you should remove your shoes and the raised upper area, often in a different type of flooring, is considered indoor living space.

Image 15/25

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

Image 16/25

@ Shikoku Mountain Range
"It says here that Shikoku is the smallest of the main islands, Gwynedd. The population is about four million."
"There's still plenty to see and enjoy, Patch!"

Image 17/25

@ Shimanami Highway, Ehime
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Gwynedd," said Niivii, "for this experience alone?"
Gwynedd, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!

Image 18/25

@ Mt Tsurugi, Tokushima
“I’m going to buy that origami kit from the gift shop, Gwynedd,” announced BOB. “It will provide a lot of entertainment for the winter evenings ahead!”
“I think I’ll go for the inflatable red-crowned crane! It’s just the job for when you’re splashing about in the garden pool in the summer!” responded Gwynedd.

Image 19/25

@ Mountain Road, Shikoku
Sudoku was introduced in Japan in the paper Monthly Nikolist in 1984 as Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru which can be translated as "the digits must be single", or as "the digits are limited to one occurrence" (In Japanese, dokushin means an "unmarried person"). The name was later abbreviated to Sudoku, taking only the first kanji of compound words to form a shorter version. "Sudoku" is a registered trademark in Japan and the puzzle is generally referred to as Number Place.

Image 20/25

@ Japan Sign
Entranceways of Japanese houses called genkan signal where you should take off your shoes by means of its raised floors. The lower area indicates where you should remove your shoes and the raised upper area, often in a different type of flooring, is considered indoor living space.
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.

Image 21/25

@ Japanese Sake Ochoko
“You know, I'd like to spend a whole week in this region here, Gwynedd!” said Reynard.
"It's very pleasant indeed—but you never know, the next part of the tour might be even better!" replied Gwynedd.
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.

Image 22/25

@ Onaruto Bridge, Naruto Strait
From the 1630s to 1853, Japan exercised a strict isolationist policy known as Sakoku – or “closed country,” which is one of the most interesting facts about Japan.

Image 23/25

@ Shrine Purification Ritual
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Gwynedd," said Beck, "for this experience alone?"
Gwynedd, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
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.

Image 24/25

@ Windmill, Kagawa
“Let's practise some Japanese phrases, Gwynedd!" said Ozzie. "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!'”
Gwynedd looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Ozzie? 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?"
Ozzie 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 ...!"

Image 25/25

@ Rice Fields, Japan
Gwynedd 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.
Gwynedd 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!