region of japan

Shikoku四国

Pilgrim temples, art islands and deep green gorges.

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four main islands and the least visited. It is known for the 88-temple pilgrimage, which circles the whole island. Matsuyama has a hilltop castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot-spring towns. The art island of Naoshima lies just offshore in the Seto Inland Sea. Inland, the Iya Valley has vine bridges over steep gorges. Life moves slower here.

Places to go

MatsuyamaA hilltop castle and an ancient hot spring.Naoshima local favoriteAn art island in the Seto Inland Sea.Iya Valley local favoriteVine bridges and gorges in Shikoku's deep mountains.

Through the year

springMatsuyama's cherry trees usually reach full bloom around April 3.
summerThe rainy season usually runs from about June 5 to July 17, then it turns hot.
autumnThe mountains change first; Kochi's maples typically peak around December 2.
winterThe coast stays fairly mild, but Oku-Iya's double vine bridges close from December to March.

Don’t miss

  • MatsuyamaHilltop castle and the old Dogo Onsen bathhouse.
  • NaoshimaArt museums and outdoor works on a quiet island.
  • Iya ValleyVine bridges and gorges in steep mountains.
  • UchikoAn old wax-merchant town with a wooden kabuki theater.
  • Shimanami KaidoIsland-hopping bike route to Honshu.

What to eat

  • Sanuki udonFirm, chewy udon from Kagawa.
  • Tai-meshiSea bream with rice, an Ehime favorite.
  • Katsuo no tatakiSeared bonito, a Kochi classic.
  • JakotenFried fish cake from Uwajima, popular in Matsuyama.

Getting there

Tokyo → Matsuyama: under 1h30 by air. Okayama → Matsuyama: about 2h40 by Limited Express Shiokaze.

Good for: Art lovers, Hikers and cyclists, Repeat visitors

psst — Public transport inland is sparse. Rent a car from a city like Takamatsu or Tokushima for the Iya Valley.