Uncover Sustainable travel in Shikoku Japan
Uncover Sustainable travel in Shikoku Japan.
Japan’s fourth-largest island, Shikoku lies southwest of Japan’s main island of Honshu, and is reachable by plane in under two hours from Tokyo.
Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, and Tokushima are the four prefectures that make up the region. Aside from the most well-known sites on Shikoku—the secluded Iya Valley and the old pilgrimage route—Lonely Planet’s choice also recognized destinations that have made efforts to encourage sustainable tourism.
The Pilgrimage Route should be walked.
Shikoku boasts an 88-temple pilgrimage circuit dedicated to the Buddhist monk Kukai, who lived over 1,200 years ago. It covers 1,400 kilometers throughout Shikoku’s four prefectures, making it one of the world’s longest circular pilgrimage routes. The route can be enjoyed in a variety of environmentally responsible ways, including walking, cycling, and taking public transportation. The pilgrimage takes about 40 days to walk the entire route, although people with less time can still participate by taking the recommended two-day model tour in Tokushima prefecture. Starting with Ryozenji Temple, this walking tour explores the first nine of the 88 temples.
Visit the zero-waste village that has gone viral
Kamikatsu town, which is surrounded by lush forests, is one of Shikoku’s least populated municipalities, but it has garnered a lot of attention in recent years for its environmental initiatives. Kamikatsu was the first municipality in Japan to declare a zero-waste policy in 2003. Before bringing their rubbish to the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Centre, households must sort it into as many as 45 different categories.
A small and eco-friendly hotel called “HOTEL WHY” is located within this multi-functional complex, where guests may experience a local lifestyle that embodies the concept of sustainable living. The hotel provides no disposable amenities in order to limit plastic waste, and guests are encouraged to cut only the quantity of soap they require from a soap bar during check-in. They are obliged to separate their rubbish into six baskets in their rooms during their stay, which they then transfer to a community facility for recycling when they check out.
Hop on a bike
Travelers can also rent a bike to explore Tokushima’s surrounding areas. Local train and bus routes crisscross Shikoku, and certain trains and buses will allow people to board with bicycles, as this is Japan, a country famed for its advanced public transportation system. In Ehime Prefecture, for example, “cycle trains” allow passengers to ride their bikes on sections of the Iyotetsu line. Special “cycle buses” with bike racks are also available. Bicycle rental services are also available at train stations and near numerous hotels.
Two fuel cell buses began service in Tokushima prefecture at the end of 2021, running between Tokushima station and the airport, as well as between other significant sites in Tokushima city. These buses, which are powered by clean, renewable hydrogen, take passengers on a sustainable journey into the future.
A great array of experiences awaits tourists in Shikoku, from learning about history by traveling pilgrimage routes to taking a bike ride to see unique rural communities and utilizing various modes of public transit – all while being environmentally conscious!
Source : https://bit.ly/3MJQ0az
