To Fukuyama
Up before 6 and out of Osaka. The Shinkansen to Fukuyama, where we picked up our rental car for the next six days (¥74,470).
The Shimanami Kaido
The Shimanami Kaido is the road that hops from Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari in Shikoku across six islands and a string of bridges. Driving it is half the fun.
Kosanji
First stop, Kosanji on Ikuchijima. Tickets were ¥2,800 for two, and parking ¥600.
It was built by a businessman for his late mother, starting in 1936, and it’s full of copies of famous temple buildings from around Japan, in very bright colours.
There’s a cave under the temple, the Senbutsudo, a dark tunnel lined with Buddhist statues.
The Hill of Hope
And then up the hill to Miraishin no Oka, the Hill of Hope: a whole hillside of white Italian marble, with sculptures and a view over the sea. It looks like a snowfield in the sun.
The Tatara Bridge
Back on the road, to the Tatara Bridge, a huge cable-stayed bridge to Omishima. There’s a viewpoint by the water to see it properly.
A fresh orange juice from the stall by the bridge (¥550), because this is citrus country.
Onward to Matsuyama!
Information About Kosanji
A temple built by a businessman for his mother from 1936, full of copies of famous Japanese temple buildings, a cave of Buddhist statues, and the Hill of Hope: a white marble garden on the hill behind. On Ikuchijima, one of the islands of the Shimanami Kaido.