Japan 2026-1: South (Ryukyu Islands)

[chadbag]

I'm interested in hearing about Shikoku too.  We've been in Kochi once and we regularly go part way to Shikoku on Awaji-shima and once in Naruto.  I'd love to spend more time there but don't know much about what to do or see or where to go.

 

[RS18U]

1 hour ago, chadbag said:

I'm interested in hearing about Shikoku too.  We've been in Kochi once and we regularly go part way to Shikoku on Awaji-shima and once in Naruto.  I'd love to spend more time there but don't know much about what to do or see or where to go.

 

Hmm.  Given that you, @Tony Galiani and I are all looking for info on Shikoku maybe we should have a separate thread for that.  Make it easier to keep it all together?

[Tony Galiani]

Funny, I was wondering that but was hesitant to start one.  However, I think I could do that.  Also, hoping that @Ekiben will chime in as his posts about his train travel in Shikoku helped get me hooked.  And his info on the Gomen - Nahari line pointed us in the right direction for a great day out from Kochi.

(I need to learn how to link to other threads in the forum but his thread can be found on this Platform.)

Cheers,

Tony

[Ekiben]

I've been kept pretty busy of late with family and work, so there's really been not enough time for the forum here. I have, however, followed @Tony Galiani's recent trip report, and I'm happy to see it was a success. I'll be heading back to Shikoku in November and plan to ride some (hopefully all) the lines that I missed during my Spring 2024 trip. This will include the Mugi, Naruto, Gomen-Nahari and Sukumo lines. Sounds as though a dedicated Shikoku planning thread for us to share information and ask questions of one another is definitely in order. (Edit: Happy to see one has already been started!)

 

@RS18U My wife and I had also thought about taking our toddler and the in-laws to Okinawa for five days or so during the upcoming trip. Not so great a place for railfans but sounds like a nice spot to chill for a while. A friend and his young family just got back from two weeks on the main island and they had a blast. He recommends a rental car to explore anything outside of Naha. A car is pretty much essential and very affordable, he says. I've read that the southern part of the island is especially interesting for WW2 history buffs, whereas the northern part of the island is wilder and more rustic with great hiking trails and beaches.

 

Though we''d been thinking about Okinawa, my wife woke up the other day and suggested a trip to Taiwan. She's been interested since some friends of ours went last year and haven't stopped raving about the great food and interesting sights. So my planning has shifted from Okinawa to try and fit a week-long side trip to Taiwan into the budget and timeline for our November trip. I have a ton of Aeroplan points and have begun the frustrating game of inputing various itineraries to take advantage of a stopover in either Japan or Taiwan.  I was excited to learn about Taiwan's impressive railway network and I look forward to researching some basic trips in and around Taipei, which at first glance seems to be a very tourist-friendly city.

Edited April 3 by Ekiben

[RS18U]

@Ekiben Taiwan is on our list at some point as well, but it looks like we will be sticking to all Japan this trip.  Thanks for the insights on Okinawa, even if they are second hand.  And glad you found the thread Tony started, and I followed along with him as well on his recent trip.

[emicoyou]

Hey RS18U! Sounds like an awesome trip you’re planning! Okinawa is beautiful, and definitely worth exploring beyond just Naha. If you’re looking at the ferry, Amami is a great choice with some nice beaches and local culture. Also, check out some of the smaller islands like Ishigaki or Taketomi for a taste of that laid-back island life. Oh, and if you’re interested in taking the train to get around, be sure to read up on this guide for riding the shinkansen—it's pretty handy! [The Ultimate Guide to Riding the Shinkansen in Japan](https://www.japanfortwo.travel/the-ultimate-guide-to-riding-the-shinkansen-in-japan/). Happy planning

[RS18U]

Thanks @emicoyou.  This will be my 6th trip to Japan (4th for my wife who's family all originate from Hiroshima), including 2 last year.  My wife and I are trying to get to all regions and so far have done Hokkaido (2018), Kyushu (last spring) and east central Honshu (2014, 2018 and last year since we go to Hiroshima on every trip we do together to visit relatives).  Interesting to hear about Amami, and those smaller islands too. 

 

During the course of the 2018 and 2024 trips we have used the Shinkansen to get to Hakodate and Kagoshima although I prefer the locals or local expresses since you can see more but for those longer distances you can't beat the Shinkansen!