Popular Tours & Experiences in Shikoku

Shikoku boasts rich natural and cultural landscapes. In Kagawa Prefecture, you can visit 'Ritsurin Garden,' one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and 'Kotohira-gu Shrine' for a taste of magnificent architecture and historical ambiance. Tokushima Prefecture features the world-class 'Naruto Whirlpools,' which can be admired up close from a whirlpool-watching boat. 'Dogo Onsen Main Building' in Ehime Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, offering an authentic Japanese bathing experience. 'Cape Muroto' in Kochi Prefecture is famous for its beautiful coastline and offers delicious 'katsuo no tataki' (seared bonito). These locations offer not only picturesque scenery but also opportunities for deep cultural immersion, making your Shikoku journey full of discoveries.

For your first solo trip to Shikoku, we recommend at least 5 to 7 days for a comfortable itinerary. If you wish to deeply experience the charm of one or two prefectures, such as Kagawa and Tokushima, 5 days will be sufficient to explore the main attractions and unique activities. If your goal is to tour Shikoku or cover more regions, like Dogo Onsen in Ehime and the natural scenery of Kochi, then extending your trip to 7 to 10 days is advised. This allows for a more leisurely pace and time to enjoy local festivals or craft experiences. The duration can be flexibly adjusted based on your personal preferences and the number of areas you wish to explore in depth.

Shikoku is very suitable for family travel. In Kagawa Prefecture, the 'New Yashima Aquarium' allows close encounters with marine life, while the 'Shishi-no-rei' observatory on 'Yashima' offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea. In Ehime Prefecture, the 'Ehime Prefectural Tobe Zoological Park' is a great place for children to interact with animals. In Kochi Prefecture, you can enjoy canoeing or cycling along the 'Shimanto River,' Japan's last clear stream. In Tokushima Prefecture, the 'Oboke and Koboke Gorges' offer scenic boat rides through dramatic V-shaped valleys. Additionally, many places offer hands-on workshops, such as udon noodle making, ensuring fun for the whole family.

The cherry blossom season in Shikoku typically runs from late March to early April. The exact timing can vary slightly depending on the location and the year's climate. 'Ritsurin Garden' in Kagawa Prefecture is an excellent spot for cherry blossom viewing, where the blossoms create a beautiful harmony with the Japanese garden. 'Tokushima Central Park' in Tokushima Prefecture offers picturesque scenery when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and is a favorite leisure spot for locals. 'Matsuyama Castle Park' in Ehime Prefecture not only provides beautiful cherry blossom views but also overlooks the city and the Seto Inland Sea. 'Kochi Castle' in Kochi Prefecture is also a renowned cherry blossom viewing location, and sometimes features night illuminations, adding a romantic atmosphere.

The main transportation methods in Shikoku include JR trains, local buses, ferries, and car rentals. The JR Shikoku railway network connects major cities and is a convenient option for inter-prefecture travel. For in-depth exploration, consider purchasing regional passes like the 'All Shikoku Rail Pass,' which offers unlimited rides on JR Shikoku trains and some private railways/trams for a specified number of days, significantly saving on travel costs and enhancing convenience. Renting a car provides more flexibility to visit attractions less accessible by public transport. Ferries are necessary for reaching islands like Shodoshima and other popular destinations.

For an in-depth tour of Shikoku, you can choose various themes based on your interests. Nature lovers can explore canoeing on the clear waters of the 'Shimanto River' in Kochi or visit the hidden suspension bridges in 'Iya Valley' in Tokushima. History enthusiasts can undertake partial pilgrimages to temples along the 'Shikoku Henro' route or visit the ancient hot springs of 'Dogo Onsen' in Ehime. Art lovers can journey to the art islands in the Seto Inland Sea (like Shodoshima) to experience contemporary art. Culinary experiences are also a must, such as DIY udon making in Kagawa or trying seared bonito in Kochi. A diverse range of themed activities can make your trip more distinctive.

The Tokushima Awa Dance Festival is one of Japan's most famous traditional festivals, typically held during the Obon period in mid-August, from around August 12th to 15th, attracting a large number of tourists. There are various ways to participate. You can purchase tickets for paid viewing areas in performance venues to watch professional dance troupes up close. If you wish to experience it firsthand, you can join a 'Niwaka-ren' (amateur dance group) and dance freely in the streets with locals to feel the lively atmosphere. Alternatively, you can visit the 'Awa Odori Kaikan' (Awa Dance Hall), where you can watch Awa Odori performances and try simple dance steps year-round to gain a deeper understanding of its history and culture.

When planning daily costs for a solo trip to Shikoku, consider three main aspects: transportation, dining, and activities. For transportation, costs will vary depending on whether you use a regional rail pass or public transport versus the fuel and toll fees for renting a car. Dining expenses will depend on your personal habits; local specialties like udon noodles are relatively affordable, while fine dining will be more expensive. Activity costs depend on your itinerary, such as entrance fees for museums, hot spring baths, or participation in workshops. We recommend estimating your daily budget based on your accommodation choice, dining preferences, and the frequency of activities you plan to engage in to ensure sufficient funds for your journey.

The Shikoku Henro 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a circuitous route around Shikoku, approximately 1,200 kilometers long. Main route options include walking, driving, or a combination of bus travel and walking. Pilgrims typically follow the sequence, either counter-clockwise or clockwise. Accommodation choices along the way are diverse, including 'shukubo' (temple lodging) for pilgrims, traditional Japanese inns (Ryokan), guesthouses (Minshuku), and business hotels. It is advisable to plan your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons, and to bring pilgrimage essentials like 'nuda' to fully experience this unique spiritual journey.

Shodoshima Olive Park is a great place for family fun. Within the park, children can rent a 'Kiki's Delivery Service' broom and take whimsical floating photos in front of the Greek windmill. The park also offers tastings and purchases of olive oil products and features a herb garden. Besides Olive Park, Shodoshima has many other family-friendly attractions: 'Kankakei Gorge' offers stunning canyon views via cable car; 'Dobutsuin Strait' is the world's narrowest strait; 'Shodoshima Monkey Park' allows close encounters with monkeys; and you can visit soy sauce factories to learn about the production of local specialties.