Japan

Shikoku

Region

Welcome to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, a place that will captivate you with its rugged nature, deeply rooted spirituality, and unparalleled tranquility.

by Felix Gillen

Welcome to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, a place that will captivate you with its rugged nature, deeply rooted spirituality, and unparalleled tranquility. Here you can experience the famous 88-temple pilgrimage, explore secluded valleys, or savor its unique cuisine, especially Udon noodles.

Shikoku, die kleinste der vier japanischen Hauptinseln, präsentiert sich als Region von ursprünglicher Natur und tief verwurzelter Spiritualität. Hier kannst du den historischen Shikoku Henro, einen 88-Tempel-Pilgerweg, begehen, der dich durch vielfältige Landschaften zu bedeutenden buddhistischen Stätten führt. Die abgelegenen Täler, wie das Iya-Tal in Tokushima, sind berühmt für ihre traditionellen strohgedeckten Häuser und die beeindruckenden Lianenbrücken. Kulinarisch prägt die Insel besonders die Sanuki Udon aus Kagawa, deren einzigartige Zubereitung du in zahlreichen lokalen Lokalen entdecken kannst. Ein Besuch der Ritsurin-Gärten in Takamatsu, einer der schönsten traditionellen Gartenanlagen Japans, ist ebenfalls empfehlenswert. Für eine optimale Reiseerfahrung bieten sich der Frühling oder Herbst an, wenn das milde Klima und die Farben der Natur besonders reizvoll sind.

Place 1 of 3

Uchiko

Uchiko is a beautiful town that will captivate you with its immaculately preserved late 19th and early 20th-century atmosphere.

Discover

Place 2 of 3

Iya-Tal

This remote valley deep in the mountains of Tokushima is known for its historic vine bridges made of plant fibers and its deep gorges that transport you to another time.

Discover

Place 3 of 3

Matsuyama

Shikoku's largest city is known for Matsuyama Castle and the historic Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most renowned hot springs.

Discover

Sights in Shikoku

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Place of Worship

Kotohira-gū (Konpira-san)

The shrine at Mount Zōzu in Kagawa Prefecture is dedicated to the patron deity of seafarers and has been a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries. It is located about an hour by train from Takamatsu.You ascend 785 stone steps to reach the main hall, and a total of 1368 steps to the inner shrine. Along the way, you'll find shops, teahouses, and the Shoin with murals by Maruyama Ōkyo. From the top, you can gaze over the Sanuki Plain to the Fuji-like Mount Iino.

Open in Google Maps

Attraction

Naruto Vortex

In the Naruto Strait between Shikoku and Awaji Island, the changing tides force water at high speed through the narrow channel. This creates whirlpools that can reach up to 20 meters in diameter during spring tides.You can see them from excursion boats or from the Uzu-no-michi, a glass-bottomed walkway beneath the Ōnaruto Bridge. The whirlpools are most prominent only around the turn of the tide; the times are listed in tide tables published locally and online.

Open in Google Maps

Attraction

Shimanto River and Sink Bridges

The Shimanto River in western Kōchi Prefecture is considered one of Japan's last largely unspoiled rivers. Spanning it are 47 Chinkabashi: narrow concrete bridges without railings, which are simply submerged during floods instead of resisting the water.The longest and furthest downstream is the approximately 290-meter-long Sada Submersible Bridge, about a ten-minute taxi ride from Nakamura Station in Shimanto City; a bit further upstream is the Sanri Submersible Bridge. By the river, you can rent bicycles or canoes and take part in excursions on traditional wooden boats.

Open in Google Maps

Castle

Kōchi Castle

Kōchi Castle, in central Kōchi, is one of Japan's twelve castles with a main keep preserved from the Edo period. Uniquely, it also retains the Kaitokukan, the lord's palace.From the tower, you can see over the city to the mountains. At the castle's foot, the Ōtesuji Market is held Sundays – a street market over a kilometer long with fruit, vegetables, and crafts. The Castle History Museum is just opposite.

Open in Google Maps

Food & Drink on Shikoku

Sanuki-Udon

Kagawa Prefecture, ancient Sanuki, is renowned for its firm, smooth Udon. In simple self-service shops, you choose your portion and toppings, paying just a few hundred Yen.

Katsuo no Tataki

In Kōchi, bonito is briefly seared over burning straw, cut into thick slices, and eaten with garlic and salt or Ponzu.

Tai-meshi

Rice with sea bream is Ehime's specialty. In Matsuyama, the fish is cooked with the rice; in Uwajima, it's served raw with egg and sauce over hot rice.

Citrus fruits

Ehime is Japan's best-known mandarin region, Kōchi supplies most of the yuzu, and in Tokushima grows the small green sudachi, drizzled over fish and noodles.

Iya-Soba

In the remote Iya Valley, short, thick buckwheat noodles, almost without wheat flour, are served in a simple broth.

Shikoku's Cultural Heritage: Pilgrim Routes, Castles, and Arts

Shikoku is deeply rooted in a history shaped by the work of the monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), born on the island, and the development of the famous Shikoku Henro, an approximately 1,200-kilometer-long pilgrimage to 88 temples. This spiritual tradition, whose origins, according to legend, date back around 1,200 years, has profoundly shaped the island's cultural landscape and given rise to numerous temple architectures and local customs.The island also boasts remarkable architectural testaments from the feudal period, including the castles of Matsuyama, Kōchi, Marugame, and Uwajima, whose main keeps are among Japan's twelve original preserved ones. These fortifications offer insights into the military architecture and way of life of the Samurai era. Cultural distinctiveness also manifests in traditional crafts such as Aizome indigo dyeing in Tokushima or the production of Tosa Washi paper in Kōchi, which reflect the region's artistic heritage.The vibrant cultural life is showcased in the annual Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima, one of Japan's largest dance festivals, which attracts visitors with its specific rhythms and traditional costumes and continues a centuries-old tradition.

Traveling on Shikoku

Getting ThereTrain: Shikoku has no Shinkansen. The main connection from Okayama is via the Seto-Ōhashi Bridge; the Marine Liner takes about an hour to Takamatsu.Bus: Long-distance buses from Kobe and Osaka travel via the Akashi-Kaikyō and Naruto Bridges to Tokushima.Shimanami Kaidō: The Onomichi-Imabari bridge chain is also known as a cycling route across six islands.Flight: Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Kōchi, and Tokushima have airports connecting to Tokyo.On the IslandExpress trains connect the four prefectural capitals: from Okayama to Matsuyama and Kōchi, allow about two and a half to three hours each. Crossing the mountainous interior is significantly slower.Rental CarA car is the most practical solution for the Iya Valley, Shimanto River, and the southern capes. Mountain roads are often narrow and winding – expect longer travel times than distances suggest.

Nearby

Shikoku

Uchiko

Iya-Tal

Matsuyama