The Shikoku region of Japan is an inland unto itself located on the southeastern side of Japan in the Pacific Ocean.  The island, the smallest of the four main islands that make up the Japanese archipelago, is divided into four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima.

It’s a beautiful part of Japan and one that you should consider visiting when planning your trip.  Enjoy this list of great things to do and see in Shikoku, organized by prefecture, and if you’ve ever been please add your suggestions by commenting below.

Ehime Prefeture

Explore the town of Matsuyama, visit Ishite-ji Temple and explore the impressive Matsuyama Castle.  (Matsuyama Sightseeing Map)

Rent a Bicyclce and ride the Shimanami Kaido Bridge, the only bridge that allows cyclists to ride from Hiroshima Prefecture, on Honshu, Japan’s main island, to Ehime Prefecture.

Visit the Ehime Prefectural Science Museum and watch the stars from the world’s largest planetarium with a dome thirty meters in diameter.

See the Japanese Noma Horse, a rare short breed horse that almost became extinct at Noma Uma Highland

Relax in the waters of Dogo Onsen (hot spring), Japan’s oldest spa, said to have been opened about 3,000 years ago.

See the “dozo” (old-style warehouses made of clay) houses of the Yokaichi Gokoku quarter in Uchiko-cho.

For more information on planning a trip to Ehime prefecture, visit the Japan National Tourism Organization’s Ehime pages.

Kagawa Prefecture

See the stream that is actually the narrowest straight in the world, Dofuchi Straights.

Walk the 1,368 stone steps to Kotohira-gu Shrine said to protect people’s health and guard against evil and where the deity that protects seafarers is enshrined.

See the sand sculpture of an ancient Japanese coin and the adjacent Hall of World Coins at  “Kanei-tsuho” Zenigata.

The Tatara Bridge and Seto Ohashi are two world renown bridges featuring unique architecture, impressive silhouettes and views.

Visit the Yashima peninsula to explore some of the sites featured in the epic Japanese novel, Tale of Genji.

Explore Marugame City.

More great things to do and see in Kagawa Prefecture can be found by browsing Kagawa Profile and the Japan National Tourism Organization’s Kagawa pages.

Kochi Prefecture

Have a bit of fun at the Anpanman Museum.

Play on the world’s longest monkey bars (utei).  See if you can navigate the whole 102 meters!

Visit the Coral Museum in Tosashimizu City.

Attend the Yosakoi Festival in mid August featuring a national Yosakoi Dance Competition .

Tour Urado Castle Park in Katsurahama and visit the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum to learn about one of the key figures in the modernization of Japan.

Take a ride on an old logging train when you visit Umaji Village

Cruise the Shimanto River or visit Cape Murato or Cape Ashizuri to enjoy some of the prefecture’s natural beauty.

Browse the Japan National Tourism Organization’s Koihi pages or Welcome to Kochi to fill out your itinerary.

Tokushima Prefecture

Take in the incredibly fast moving Naruto Whirlpools from an observatory or by cruising the Naruto Straits.

The world’s largest bronze Tanuki, named “Kincho Tanuki”, sits in Komatsushima City Station Park.  Kincho Tanuki appeared in the animation film “Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pompoko”, or POM POKO: The Raccoon War, by Studio Ghibli.

Take the treacherous trip across the vine bridges in the Iya Valley or take in the natural beauty of Oboke and Koboke Gorges.

In August, visit to take in the festive Awa Odori in Tokoshima City.

Take the Bizan Ropeway up Mt. Bizan.

Visit Tokushima Awanavi or the Japan National Tourism Organization’s Tokushima pages to learn more about what to do and see in the prefecture.

Shikoku Overview

Take this suggested itinerary for a fantastic four day trip through the Shikoku Region or visit Welcome! Shikoku for more information about great things to do and see in the region.

Articles in the Japan: A Closer Look series:

• Japan: A Closer Look at Hokkaido
• Japan: A Closer Look at Tohoku – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look at Chubu – Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Kanagawa
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Tokyo Practicalities
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kanto – Tokyo – Part 1 & Part 2
• Japan: A Closer Look At Tokyo:Lesser Known Facts And Figures
• Japan: A Closer Look at Kansai – Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3
• Japan: A Closer Look at Chugoku – Part 1 & Part 2

Image Credit:  Flickr, paper fortune / おみくじ,personal collection, 銭形 Zeni-gata & Getting a closer look at swirling water

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