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@ Cliff Path, Shikoku
Giggles begins her journey through Shikoku!

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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.

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@ Naruto Bridge, Shikoku
"Let's learn a bit of Japanese from our brochure, Giggles!" said Ahsoka. "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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@ Ritsurin Garden, Shikoku
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.

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@ Autumnal Ginkgo Leaves
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.
Autumnal Ginkgo Leaves
Soft focus golden/orange ginkgo leaves in autumnal sunshine make a soothing picture.

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@ Stone Lantern in Japan
“Let's practise some Japanese phrases, Giggles!" said Cuddles. "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!'”
Giggles looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Cuddles? 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?"
Cuddles 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 ...!"
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
“I’m going to buy that origami kit from the gift shop, Giggles,” announced Tundra. “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 Giggles.
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, Giggles."
"What's Japanese for 'four', then, Kyoto?"
"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
"That was the most delicious orange juice I've ever tasted at breakfast this morning, Giggles!"
"Well, Night Owl, 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.

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@ Traditional Japanese Dwelling
"That was the most delicious orange juice I've ever tasted at breakfast this morning, Giggles!"
"Well, Daphne Fluffster Tinklehoof, 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.
Traditional Japanese Dwelling
Traditional wooden Japanese-style house.

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@ Japanese Hair Ornaments
“I’m going to buy that origami kit from the gift shop, Giggles,” announced DILLIGAS. “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 Giggles.
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
“Let's practise some Japanese phrases, Giggles!" said Starla. "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!'”
Giggles looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Starla? 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?"
Starla 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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@ Sea of Clouds, Japan
"It says here that the 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a famous but difficult 1000 mile (1647 km) circle around the entire island of Shikoku. Some pets choose to do the trip entirely by paw! Other pets go on the bus," read out Minerva from the brochure.
"I know how I'd do it, Minerva!" replied Giggles.

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

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@ Shikoku Mountain Range
"How are we getting across to Shikoku, Giggles?" queried Moonabelle. "Do we have to go by boat?"
"No, it's fine, there's a bridge from Honshu," responded Giggles. "Or rather, a system of three bridges, which crosses several small islands on the way."

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

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@ Mt Tsurugi, Tokushima
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Giggles," said Fyzbana, "for this experience alone?"
Giggles, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!

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@ Mountain Road, Shikoku
"A bit of trivia here, nellie!" remarked Giggles. "Can you name the Japanese film that was remade in the USA as The Magnificent Seven?"
"I don't think I can, Giggles!"
"The 1954 film, Seven Samurai, tells the tale of seven samurai who band together to protect a village from the bandits who threaten it. Each of the samurai comes from a different background, but they all find meaning in protecting those that cannot protect themselves."

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@ Japan Sign
"It says in our itinerary that Shikoku means 'four provinces' in Japanese, Giggles."
"What's Japanese for 'four', then, jimkitty?"
"It's 'shi', and 'provinces' is 'chihō'. So put together it becomes Shikoku!"
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
"How are we getting across to Shikoku, Giggles?" queried Bear. "Do we have to go by boat?"
"No, it's fine, there's a bridge from Honshu," responded Giggles. "Or rather, a system of three bridges, which crosses several small islands on the way."
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
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.

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@ Shrine Purification Ritual
"It says here that the 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a famous but difficult 1000 mile (1647 km) circle around the entire island of Shikoku. Some pets choose to do the trip entirely by paw! Other pets go on the bus," read out rainbow cookie from the brochure.
"I know how I'd do it, rainbow cookie!" replied Giggles.
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
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.

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@ Rice Fields, Japan
Giggles 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.
Giggles 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!