On May 8, 8:24 am, Declan Murphy <declan_mur...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Showing a relative around next week, and the plan is to not visit
> anywhere I've been to before, unless more than 10 years ago. Driving
> of course.
>
> I don't know the roads in Shikoku very well, but will use expressways
> where possible. Is the following realistic?
>
> Leaving from Uji around 8am, drive to the Iya valley in Shikoku via
> Awaji island. In the late afternoon/evening leave Iya and drive to
> Matsuyama, checking in to accommodations around 10pm.
>
> Next day visit Matsuyamajo, then car/ferry to Hiroshima, head down to
> Miyajima and Iwakuni. Back into Hiroshima after dark.
>
> Little bit of sightseeing in central Hiroshima, then back to Aichi via
> Okayama or Kurashiki, arriving home pretty late.
>
> And any suggestions, recommendations etc?

Only that you might consider going back along the Japan Sea coast
rather than the more crowded route through Osaka, etc.; I really enjoy
that stretch of coast in north Hyogo prefecture to Kyoto, and it
probably won't be too much longer of a drive by the time you factor in
traffic. You might also look into a car ferry to Wakayama and go
around that way; some great scenery in Wakayama. I wouldn't swear that
there is a ferry to Wakayama that takes cars, and I'm way to lazy to
look it up, but I know there are ferries, so you might look into it.
And, if you haven't been, a stop into Shodoshima might be enjoyable.

John W.