Forget mainstream tourist destinations and visit Shikoku Island now!
There are many reasons why Japan should be one of the countries you need to visit. First: there are lots of cool temples; second: your stomach will always be full of delicious food; third: access to various tourist attractions is very easy!
With Japan’s efficient transportation system, you can travel from the farthest corners of Tokyo to the farthest corners of the island of Shikoku! Thanks to the All Shikoku Rail Pass , you can enjoy unlimited train travel throughout Japan’s smallest main island. You can choose a 3 day, 4 day, 5 day or 7 day pass, and start your adventure right away!
Immediately order the All Shikoku Rail Pass to start your adventure in Shikoku!
The beautiful island of Shikoku has everything you could dream of: huge mountains, crystal clear rivers, beautiful views covered in cherry blossoms, and mouth-watering udon.
If this is your first visit, start by enjoying these 9 best things about Shikoku:
Tokushima
1. Touching the sky at Hachigo-kiri Unkai
Photo credit: Fabrizio Conti (@conti_photos) on Unsplash
Explore another world by visiting the most mystical place in Shikoku! Hachigo-kiri Unkai, which means “sea of clouds”, offers dreamlike views as the morning mist from the Yoshina River rises into the sky. You can view this stunning view from the Asahi Outlook—and like Ghibli’s classic Spirited Away, it will transport you to another world!
Klook Tip: The best time to visit Hachigo-kiri Unkai is from March to April and October to December, when cloud cover is at its peak.
2. Cross the Iya Valley by hang gliding
Bridge? You don’t need it! To explore the Iya Valley, ziplining or hang gliding is the most fun way! If you like thrills, the most fun thing you can do in Shikoku is hang on a rope and slide through nature.
You can try various challenging tracks at the Iya Valley Forest Adventure near the Kazurabashi Suspension Bridge. From overhanging treetop obstacles to hang slides over rivers and canyons, the whole family is sure to have fun!
3. Exploring the Mount Tsurugi route
Photo credit: Stephan Ridgway on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
What is one of Shikoku’s attractions? Of course the mountains are impressive, such as Mount Tsurugi. At 1,955 feet, it is the second highest mountain in western Japan, and also the easiest mountain to explore!
Climbing to the top is not as difficult as you imagine. Because it has a climber’s lift, you only need half an hour to reach the top of the mountain. From above, you can see the Pacific Ocean, the Seto Inland Sea, and even Okaya in Nagano.
Fun Fact: Mount Tsurugi is one of the “100 Famous Mountains” in Japan, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the beauty of this mountain in person!
4. Go back in time by visiting Udatsu
Photo credit: irisgazer on Flickr
Want to know what interesting things you can do in Shikoku if you are a history fan? Good news: Tokushima is filled with history and culture!
The quaint neighborhood of Udatsu Street features a stunning array of traditional Japanese houses from the Edo period (1603-1867). When crossing these streets, you will be presented with views of houses decorated nicely with family crests, wooden furniture made in great detail, and decorative devil protectors on the roofs.
On this eye-catching trail, you’ll also find many of Japan’s finest indigo crafts, which will immerse you in a thousand-year-old art.
Kagawa
5. Enjoy breakfast and tea at Ritsurin Garden
Photo credit: Wei-Te Wong on Flickr (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0))
Tea lovers, rejoice! The various beautiful flora in Ritsurin Park offer enchanting views like a fairy tale. Ritsurin Garden is famous for its timeless beauty as its 1,000 plants bloom all year round.
The best part is that you can enjoy all these beautiful views while relaxing with a steaming cup of green tea at the Kikugetsutei Traditional Tea House. For only 3,000 yen, you can enjoy typical Japanese treats, warm miso soup and refreshing ocha (tea). Truly a tea lover’s dream holiday!
6. Explore marine life at Shikoku Aquarium
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Sea, the island is teeming with diverse marine life—much of which you can find at the Shikoku Aquarium . Come and see firsthand the sea jellyfish, penguins, sharks and schools of fish that inhabit the Naruto Strait. The aquarium also has a light exhibition featuring the legend of Ryugu Shrine. and a dolphin show to entertain the little ones.
7. Learn to become an udon expert at Nakano Udon School
Photo credit: Katerina Holmes on Pexels
There are many things you can do in Shikoku if you are a foodie. Kagawa Prefecture is not only blessed with nature, but also mouth-watering dishes, especially udon! At Nakano Udon School, you will grind, knead the dough, cut, and step on your dough to make special dishes. Once finished, you can taste your own homemade udon, making it an experience you will never forget.
8. Take a day trip to Naoshima “Art” Island
Photo credit: Lorie Shaull on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
Looking for an island full of modern art? You can find it on Naoshima Island in Shikoku! On this small art island, you will find amazing works of art from Japanese artists who are popular all over the world and are up and coming.
When you arrive at Miyanoura Harbor, you will be greeted by the Yayoi Kusama Red Pumpkin, a favorite photo spot on the island. Here, too, you’ll find the Ando Museum, an architectural wonder designed by Tadao Ando himself, and I Love Yu, a unique bathhouse created using mosaics with a giant elephant statue inside.
Kochi
9. Cruise the Shimanto River on a yakatabune (traditional roofed boat)
Photo credit: azumaya888 on Flickr (Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))
Visiting “Japan’s Last Pure River”, the Shimanto River, closes our list of the best things to do in Shikoku. This river is an unspoiled beauty with clear, free-flowing water. You can ride a yakatabune (Japanese roofed boat) here, which will treat you to spectacular views of forested canyons, hills and endless farmlands that remain unchanged throughout the year.
Is Shikoku worth visiting?
If you are a nature lover, animal lover, culture enthusiast, food fanatic, or just want to walk in a secluded place, Shikoku is the right choice for you! And with the All Shikoku Rail Pass , you will get lots of convenience to start your adventure in Shikoku
