Shikoku Island vacation in Japan, tailor made

Planet

The hot spring baths at Matsuyama are some of the oldest onsen waters in Japan and the people have been visiting them for over one hundred years. The waters are communally used and replenished daily, using recycled water rich in mineral content and reviving properties, while still having a smaller impact than the hot spring use may have were the waters not refreshed and recycled. Japanese culture has a great respect for the environment so staying in traditional properties is a good way to avoid waste.

Transfers and travel is by public transport where available to minimize the additional impact to the environment of your stay. Where unavailable, we have recommended shared transfers for the same reason. Guidelines are provided before departing that indicate best practice for travelers to avoid damaging environments or communities.

Your rafting activity is with local operators who will advise on how best to enjoy the activity without impacting the surrounding area that you are spending time in.

People

Accommodation is Japanese run and owned throughout, with a total of 6 nights spent in traditional ryokan accommodation, guesthouses or communal properties. Food here is locally sourced, based on availability and seasonality. Expect mountain vegetables, home-made tofu and miso soup and locally reared beef and chicken, as well as regional varieties of tea and sake.

Staying at the Chiiori House in the Iya Valley gives you a chance to interact with a local community and help maintain this unique property. Guests must help to cook, clean and repair during their stay and are encouraged to keep in touch with the Chiiori Project once they return home. Chiiori House was renovated by orientalist and author of two books on Japanese society, Alex Kerr. He bought the derelict building in 1973 with the dream to save traditional construction techniques and revive an interest in cultures and traditions that had endured for centuries before being suddenly swept from the hills by Japan's 20th century industrial revolution. More recently Alex has been involved in restoring Kyoto Machiya houses and tours of the historic residences are available in Kyoto.