Shikoku

The smallest and slowest of Japan's four main islands: the hidden Iya Valley, Dogo Onsen, the Naruto whirlpools and the 88-temple pilgrimage.

Shikoku consists of four prefectures, Kagawa, Tokushima, Ehime and Kochi. It is the least visited and slowest-paced of Japan's main islands, known for countryside, gorges and pilgrimage culture. Takamatsu in Kagawa is famous for Ritsurin Garden and Sanuki udon, and is the gateway to Naoshima and Shodoshima; Tokushima has the great whirlpools of the Naruto Strait and the summer Awa Odori dance festival; in the island's center, the Iya Valley and Oboke Gorge preserve vine bridges and thatched houses, and are among Japan's three great hidden regions; Kochi faces the Pacific, with Katsurahama, the Shimanto River and sites associated with Sakamoto Ryoma; and Matsuyama in Ehime has Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and Matsuyama Castle. The island's 88 temples form the roughly 1,200 km "Shikoku Henro" pilgrimage route, which takes more than 40 days to walk in full, so most visitors do it in sections. The classic loop takes about 6–8 days: Takamatsu–Naruto/Tokushima–Iya–Kochi–Matsuyama. JR limited expresses connect all four prefectures, but public transport is sparse to the Iya Valley and coastal sights, so driving yourself is more flexible; foreign visitors can use the All Shikoku Rail Pass.

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Itineraries