Shikoku Grand Loop Self-Drive

Embark on a grand loop from Naruto through Iya, Kochi, Shimanto, Ashizuri, Uwajima, and Dogo, ending in Kotohira and Takamatsu.

Cover all four prefectures of Shikoku in ten days, offering a more relaxed pace than the typical 7-to-8-day loops. This itinerary dedicates two nights to the Iya Valley and three nights to the southwestern coast. It is ideal for experienced drivers who want to explore deep valleys and the Pacific coast. The mountain roads are narrow, so daytime driving is highly recommended. To balance the schedule, Cape Muroto and the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea are omitted, and only half a day is allocated to Takamatsu.

During the summer and autumn typhoon seasons, mountain roads may be closed due to rockfalls. In winter, some facilities in Iya are closed.

Day by day

Day 1 · Naruto Whirlpools & Otsuka Museum of Art

Tokushima & Naruto（Naruto Whirlpool Sightseeing Boats、Uzu-no-Michi Walkway、Otsuka Museum of Art）

Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive about 20 minutes to Naruto. The drive between attractions takes about 10-15 minutes. In the evening, drive about 40 minutes to downtown Tokushima.

The whirlpools depend heavily on the tides, so check the tide tables beforehand to plan your schedule. The Otsuka Museum of Art is usually closed on Mondays.

Stay: Around Tokushima Station

Day 2 · Along the Yoshino River to Oboke

Tokushima & Naruto（Wakimachi Udatsu Townscape） → Iya Valley & Oboke（Oboke Gorge Boat Ride、Michi-no-Eki Oboke & Yokai Yashiki）

From Tokushima, drive west along the Yoshino River for about 1 hour to Wakimachi, then another hour to Oboke, and finally 40 minutes to Nishi-Iya.

There are no streetlights on mountain roads after dark. Try to arrive at your accommodation before 5:00 PM.

Stay: West Iya (around Kazura Bridge)

Day 3 · Suspension Bridges & Villages of Deep Iya

Iya Valley & Oboke（Iya Kazurabashi Vine Bridge、Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridge、Nagoro Scarecrow Village、Ochiai Village）

From Nishi-Iya, drive east along National Route 439 for about 1.5 hours to Nagoro and Oku-Iya. The return trip to Ochiai takes about 40 minutes.

The Higashi-Iya section has scheduled traffic control on weekdays. Check the Tokushima Prefecture road conditions before setting off.

Stay: Ochiai and East Iya

Day 4 · Descending the Mountain to Kochi's Pacific Coast

Kochi（Katsurahama Beach & Sakamoto Ryoma Statue、Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum、Hirome Market）

Drive down from Ochiai for about 1 hour to the Ofuyo IC, take the highway for about 40 minutes to Kochi, and then drive about 30 minutes to Katsurahama.

Stay: Obiyamachi and Harimayabashi

Day 5 · Kochi Castle to Shimanto River

Kochi（Kochi Castle、Kure Taisho-machi Market） → Shimanto River & Cape Ashizuri（Sada Chinkabashi Bridge、Shimanto River Yakatabune Boat）

From Kochi, take the highway for about 1 hour to Kure, then drive about 1.5 hours to the Sada Chinka Bridge, and another 15 minutes to Nakamura.

Chinka bridges have no guardrails. Make sure there is no oncoming traffic before crossing. If you are nervous about driving, you can walk across.

Stay: Nakamura (Shimanto City)

Day 6 · Cape Ashizuri & Tatsukushi Coast

Shimanto River & Cape Ashizuri（Cape Ashizuri & Lighthouse、Kongofukuji Temple、Hakusan Domon Arch、Tatsukushi & Minokoshi Coast、Ashizuri Aquarium SATOUMI）

From Nakamura, drive south for about 1 hour to Cape Ashizuri. Drive west along the peninsula for about 45 minutes to Tatsukushi, and then 15 minutes to Tosashimizu.

Stay: Tosashimizu

Day 7 · Kashiwajima Island to Uwajima Castle

Shimanto River & Cape Ashizuri（Kashiwajima Island） → Uwajima

From Tosashimizu, drive west for about 1 hour to Kashiwajima, then head north via Sukumo for about 1.5 hours to Uwajima.

Gas stations in remote areas close early in the evening. Refuel whenever your tank is half empty.

Stay: Uwajima

Day 8 · Ozu & Uchiko Historic Streets to Dogo

Matsuyama（Ozu Castle、Garyu Sanso、Uchiko Yokaichi-Gokoku Townscape）

From Uwajima, take the highway for about 45 minutes to Ozu, drive 20 minutes to Uchiko, and then about 50 minutes to Dogo.

The Uchiko-za theater is closed for renovations until spring 2029. Focus your visit on the Yokaichi-Gokoku Historic District.

Stay: Dogo Onsen

Day 9 · Matsuyama Castle & Dogo Onsen

Matsuyama（Matsuyama Castle、Ishite-ji、Dogo Haikara-dori & Botchan Karakuri Clock、Dogo Onsen Honkan）

Leave your car at the hotel. Take the city tram and ropeway to Matsuyama Castle. The Dogo area is best explored on foot. The round trip takes about half an hour.