Hello! I’ve been trying to plan this trip in the most realistic way but I’m hoping to have your take on it. I’ve been wondering if getting the Shikoku rail pass would be a good choice, but the problem is that I would only be able to get the 3 day pass while my friend can get the 5 day one. Same goes for the Kansai part of the trip.
Start at Shikoku
**DAY 1: Fly to Matsuyama**
Dogo onsen
**DAY 2 MATSUYAMA**
Garyo Sanso (I’m thinking maybe we should start using the Shikoku rail pass on this day since it covers the train?)
**DAY 3 KOCHI**
Bus or train from Matsuyama to Kochi
(I’m particularly stumped on this one because the bus is around 2hr30min while the train is over 4 hours! How?! Like granted if we use the Shikoku pass it pays for itself, but this is a huge gap in time lol. What do you think?)
Kochi Castle and Nishiki Market
**DAY 4 KOCHI**
Katsurahama (I think train covered by rail pass)
**DAY 5 KOCHI**
Oboke/Iya Valley/Katsurabashi (I think the rail pass also covers the train to Oboke)
Train from Kochi to Tokushima (also covered by rail pass?)
**DAY 6 TOKUSHIMA**
Naruto whirlpools (I think rail pass covers the train to Naruto?)
Bus to Osaka (can’t use shikoku rail pass)
**To Kansai (other than daily bus passes, should we consider Kansai passes?
Also we wouldn’t be able to get the same one…)**
**DAY 7 OSAKA**
Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, shitennoji, sumiyoshi taisha
**DAY 8 OSAKA**
USJ
**Day 9 KYOTO**
Hokanji, kiyomizu
**DAY 10 KYOTO**
Fushimi Inari Taisha
**DAY 11 KYOTO**
Gion
**Day 12 KYOTO**
Kurama Kibune hike
**DAY 13 KYOTO**
Arashiyama, Philosopher’s path
**DAY 14 NARA**
Mt. Yoshino (maybe)