Blue Expedition Route|OSAKA TO KOCHI; Japan's best kept secret: From Osaka to Kochi, the heart of Shikoku

The Road to Japan's Best Kept SecretBlue Expedition Route

From Kansai to Kochi: A cultural journey.

Make your way to Kochi Prefecture from Kansai International Airport, making an interesting stop in Okayama. Take in Kochi's sightseeing spots and see with your own eyes why the blue waters of the Niyodo River have become a nationally-known brand. On the way back to Kansai International Airport, you will visit Tokushima and enjoy the impressive whirlpools of the Naruto Strait and explore the region’s culture of traditional indigo-dyeing.

Recommended Itinerary

Day 1

Beginning of the trip

A direct flight to Kansai International Airport from Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport takes about 5.5 hours! From there, you will take the JR limited express train to Shin-Osaka, then transfer to the Shinkansen to Okayama Station! It only takes about 2 hours from Kansai International Airport to Okayama! Okayama is nicknamed Fruit Kingdom for its fruits harvest!

: Kansai Airport

JR / 60 minutes: Shin-Osaka Station

Shinkansen / 45 minutes: Okayama Station

JR / 20 minutes
Taxi / 10 minutes: Okayama fruit picking

Stay in Okayama

Day 2

Enjoy the heart of Kochi City

You will visit sightseeing spots within walking distance from Kochi Station. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to Kochi Castle and you can also go there by streetcar. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from Kochi Castle to Hirome Market! From there, another 10 minutes walk will take you to Otesuji Enbudou. There is a shopping street on the way and it is very fun to walk around.

: Okayama Station

JR (limited express) / 2.5 hours: Kochi Station

Kochi Castle

: Hirome Market

Otesuji Enbudou

Stay in Kochi

Day 3

Expedition of "the blue" of Kochi

Go to the Niyodo River for clear-kayaking and the Nakatsu Gorge to enjoy the blue of Kochi. Going by a rental car is recommended. It takes about an hour to Outdoor Center, where you can try clear-kayaking on the Niyodo River. The Nakatsu Gorge is about 10 minutes' drive from Outdoor Center.

: Kochi Station

Rental car / 70 minutes: Niyodo River clear-kayaking

Kayaking on the crystal-clear Niyodo River Drone aerial photography for memorable photos and videos

Rental car / 15 minutes: Nakatsu Gorge

A gorge with many attractions within an hour's round trip hike.
You can also go there by bus.

Rental car / 70 minutes: Making katsuo no tataki experience in Kochi City

The local cuisine of Kochi is seared bonito (katsuo no tataki ).
You can not only taste it but also make it. If you grill it by yourself, it will taste even better.

Stay in Kochi

Day 4

To deep mountains of Shikoku

You will visit "Oboke Koboke", which lies on the border of Kochi and Tokushima Prefectures!! It is a beautiful canyon that took about 200 million years to form. It takes about 50 minutes by JR limited express from Kochi Station. The scenery on the way is also beautiful.

: Kochi Station

JR / 50 minutes: Oboke Station

Walk / 20 minutes: Oboke pleasure boat

You can fully enjoy the scenery of Oboke on a 30-minute sightseeing boat ride.
*It is very cold on board, so warm clothes are a must.

Bus / 40 minutes: Iya no Kazurabashi

One of the three unique bridges of Japan The bridge swings with every step you take and it is very thrilling!

Stay in Iya Hot Springs

Day 5

Expedition of "the blue" of Tokushima

Whirlpools, a magnificent view created by nature!
It is a tourist destination that you cannot miss when you go to Tokushima! It is about 50 minutes' bus ride from Tokushima Station. If you make a round trip by bus, the all-day ticket is cheap and convenient!
You can try indigo-dyeing at many places, so pick up the one that is convenient for you while going around!

: Oboke Station

JR / 2 hours 40 minutes: Tokushima Station
Bus / 60 minutes: Naruto Whirlpools

You can see whirlpools twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon.
If you're lucky, you may even see a whirlpool about 20 meters long.

Bus / 60 minutes: Indigo-dyeing experience

You can dye a handkerchief, scarf and etc.
This time I wore clothes dyed with Thai indigo and tried Tokushima's indigo-dyeing.

Stay in Tokushima

Day 6

Finally the last day

You will go to Kansai International Airport by bus. There is a direct bus from Tokushima Station to Kansai International Airport. You can enjoy the scenery of the Naruto Ohashi, the Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi, and Kobe during the three-hour bus ride.