So we’re going to Japan for 35 days (March 28 to May 3), and we have most of our itinerary planned out already. The last three places on our list are Aoshima Cat Island, Hiroshima, and Okinawa.
We are leaving Osaka late on April 16th, and we come to a fork in the road. Logistically I think we do Ao Island first, going to Ehime by train. This will involve lodging for at least one night before taking the ferry early in the morning. I’m totally unfamiliar with this area though.
First question is, \*\*where does it make most sense to stay, and is there anything else close by that I should absolutely check out?\*\*
Then I’m thinking one-way flight to Okinawa. \*\*What airport should I use?\*\*
Followed by a one-way flight from Okinawa to Hiroshima. Then we return to Tokyo by train.
Does this make sense, or should we do things in a completely different order?
2 comments
Don’t eat before getting on the ferry. Cat island is not for those with weak stomachs.
When I went to Aoshima, we took a ferry from Hiroshima to Matsuyama in the morning, then a train down to the relevant port, the boat to the island and then back after about 30 minutes. We had to return after 30 minutes, or wait like 5hours or something ridiculous given how small the island is. This was 6 years ago, but it seems from recent reviews that it’s more or less the same now.
Point is, you do indeed need quite careful planning, and I’d say you will get bored if you’re stuck on the island between the wider gaps in the return services. Staying the night in Matsuyama is probably fine. Main sights are the castle and Dogo Onsen.
Anyway, in your case I would suggest Osaka-Ehime-Hiroshima-Okinawa-Tokyo. Ehime and Hiroshima are fairly close and the fast ferry only takes an hour or so. Makes most sense to head back to Tokyo direct from Okinawa unless there’s some special reason not to.