'''Ikeda''' (_r_c) [http://www.awaikeda.jp/], also '''Awa-Ikeda''' (___g_r_c), is a small town on the island of Shikoku, Japan.
Get in
By train
Awa-Ikeda Station is along the JR Dosan Line , which burrows across the heart of Shikoku from Kubokawa and Kochi through the Oboke and Koboke gorges to Tadotsu and Takamatsu.
From Okayama, a stop on the '''San'yo Shinkansen''', Awa-Ikeda can be reached on the hourly '''Nanpu''' limited express service (90 minutes; ¥3510).
The JR Tokushima Line also terminates here, the trip from Tokushima taking about 70 minutes on the '''Tsurugisan''' limited express service (¥3240), or two hours by local train (¥1580).
There is no charge for these trains with the Japan Rail Pass.
By bus
There are seven buses per day into the Iya Valley.
Get around
A car is best for exploring this region.
There is an "Eki rental car" of the JR group in Awa Ikeda station, but you are not likely to be able to make a reservation in English.
The car rental company that you can make a reservation in English is as follows.
However, there seems to be no office in Awa Ikeda station. Please rent in another station or airport.
Nipponrentacar
http://www.nipponrentacar.co.jp/english/index.html
Toyota
http://rent.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html
Budget
http://www.budgetrentacar.co.jp/english.htm
Hertz
https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/gaq/index.jsp?tar...
'''Japan Railway Company''' Japanese site refers as follows. [http://www.ekiren.co.jp/index.html]
See
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
'''Awa-Ikeda Youth Hostel''', tel. 0883-72-5277, [http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/shikoku/awa/index.html]. Located over 5 km from the station in a temple area on the top (several minutes drive) of a hill. Overnight fare is ¥3000+1000 non-member fee. It is staffed by a lone caretaker who seems rather suprised to actually have a visitor. Arrange your travel so that you arrive before 6pm at the station so they pick you up (a day's advance notice required), otherwise taxi costs ¥1800.
Get out
Oboke and Koboke
Iya Valley