SHIKOKU - KAGAWA - EHIME - KOCHI - TOKUSHIMA

SHIKOKU – KAGAWA – EHIME – KOCHI – TOKUSHIMA

Shikoku is blessed with verdant nature thanks to the Seto Inland Sea, which provides the perfect climate for many plant species. Each passing season on the island finds a new flower in bloom, and visitors can enjoy myriad types of flora on their visit, not the least of which is the ever-popular sakura cherry blossom.

1. How to Go

Shikoku can be reached from the following major train stations and local airports, choose your mode of transportation from your major city.

Transportation for O-henrosan includes buses, bicycles, and special taxis. Considering fitness level and overall health is important when choosing how to do the pilgrimage, and while many O-henrosan do walk the whole thing, many others still use a combination of transport styles. The important thing is the journey itself, not necessarily how it is taken.

2. KAGAWA

2.1. Ritsurin Garden Park｜栗林公園

Ritsurin Garden is the largest Cultural Property Garden in all of Japan, and is an important cultural asset that has been maintained for nearly 400 years. Originally created in the Edo period for the daimyo (feudal lord), the garden features six ponds and thirteen landscaped hills in front of the green vista of Mt. Shiun, along with stunning rock arrangements and a wide variety of beautiful plants. The garden was designed to be leisurely strolled through, and each step offers a new perspective on the garden’s scenery. Passed down through the generations, Ritsurin Garden is truly an invaluable cultural treasure.

2.2. Chichibugahama｜父母ヶ浜

Chichibugahama is a beautiful, 1km-long stretch of beach located in Mitoyo City. Perhaps you have heard of the famous Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia; this world-famous photo spot is known for its seamless reflection of the sky after rainwater collects in the low-lying flat, creating a natural mirror for many kilometers.
Chichibugahama also happens to be the home of a similar “sky mirror” phenomenon. Called the “Heavenly Mirror of the Seto Inland Sea”, the low tide on windless days creates the perfect place to take a once-in-a-lifetime photo.

Address	203-3 , Nio otsu, Nio-cho, Mitoyo, Kagawa 769-1404
Best Season	Spring / Summer / Autumn

2.3. Kotohiragu｜金刀比羅宮

This is a popular shrine, commonly known as Konpira-san. There is an extremely long staircase, consisting of 1,368 steps. At the bottom, there are cafes, teahouses, souvenir shops, udon shops and many other in this lively area. You can rent a walking stick and go for a stroll, or take a ride in a ‘kago’ palanquin and enjoy the sights as you are carried around. When you have ascended the staircase to the mid-way point (785 steps), you will find the Hongu, the center of the shrine. There are many gods housed here, including the gods of agriculture, livestock, medicine and marine safety.

Address	892-1 Kotohira-cho, Nakatado-gun, 766-8501 Kagawa
Closed	Open all year round
Admission Fee	Free
Free Wi-Fi	Yes

2.4. Marugame Castle｜丸亀城

Marugame Castle was constructed about 400 years ago. The keep tower (the highest part of the castle, used as a look-out) is made of wood, a rare style of construction in Japan, and has been designated as an National Important Cultural Heritage. The stone wall that that leads up to the keep tower is the largest of its kind in Japan, at a height of approximately 60 meters. The elegant curvature of the wall is one of its finest features. In the spring, the approximately 1,200 cherry trees bloom. May 3-4 is the annual Marugame Castle Festival, where many different events are held.

Address	Ichibancho, Marugame, 763-0025 Kagawa
Hours	9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Closed	Open all year round
Admission Fee	¥200 / Adult (Group of 20 or more: ¥160) ¥100 / Child (Group of 20 or more: ¥80)

2.5. Kagawa Prefecture Museum｜香川県立ミュージアム

This integrated museum joins together a history museum and an art museum. The artwork of artists with Kagawa links such as Inokuma Gen’ichiro and Isamu Noguchi are exhibited here. On the first floor is a learning room where you can experience various elements of Japanese history. Here you can try on armor from the Kamakuri era and traditional women’s clothing from the Heian era. Photographs are welcome, so both children and adults will enjoy themselves.

Address	5-5 Tamamocho, Takamatsu, 760-0030 Kagawa
Hours	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed	Monday ※If Monday is a holiday, the facility is closed the next day ※New Years holiday (26 December – 1 January)
Admission Fee	Free ※Entrance fee for permanent exhibition (410 JPY)
Free Wi-Fi	Yes
Best Season	Spring / Autumn / Winter

2.6. Sanuki Manno National Park｜国営讃岐まんのう公園

Sanuki Mannou Park is Shikoku’s only state-run park with total area of 3.5㎢ and is a park filled with seasonally blooming flowers. The mascot is the dragon that represents the Dragon God that according to legend lives in the reservoir. Inside the park there is a huge man-made waterfall. There is also a forest where bamboo shoots and mushrooms are cultivated, a hill with seasonal flowers, cycling course and a center where you can do various hands-on activities. You can even enjoy nature at several spots, including the eco-park and the camping site.

Address	4243-12 Yoshino, Manno-cho, Nakatado-gun, 766-0023 Kagawa
Hours	(1 Mar – 19 Jul)　9:30 am – 5:00 pm (20 Jul – 31 Aug)　9:30 am – 6:00 pm (1 Sep – 31 Oct)　9:30 am – 5:00 pm (1 Nov – 28 Feb)　9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Closed	・Tuesday *If Tuesday falls on a public holiday, closed on Wednesday. ・29 – 31 December ・Fourth Wednesday – Friday of December
Admission Fee	¥450 / Adult (Group of 20 or more: ¥290) Free / Child
Free Wi-Fi	Yes

2.7. Angel Road｜エンジェルロード

Angel Road is a natural phenomenon that can only be seen twice a day when the tide ebbs. As the water level lowers, a natural sandbar is revealed between the mainland and a small island. The origin of the name “Angel Road” is lost to history, but its fame has spread both within Japan and abroad, as it is rumored that any couple who crosses it while holding hands will find their happily ever after.

Address	Ginpaura, Tonosho-cho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa 761-4121

2.8. Shodoshima Olive Park｜小豆島オリーブ公園

This Greek-style park is constructed on the top of a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. The spacious grounds are planted with about 2,000 olive trees and more than 130 different types of herb. You can use these to make your own sachet and potpourri at the Herb Craft-kan. There are many other herb-related items for sale at the Herb Shop Pukoriko.

Address	1941-1 Nishimurako, Shodoshima-cho, Shozu-gun, 761-4434 Kagawa
Hours	8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Closed	Open all year round
Admission Fee	Free
Free Wi-Fi	Yes

3. EHIME

3.1. Matsuyama Castle｜松山城

Matsuyama Castle is located in Matsuyama city center, and is one of only 12 castles with a keep tower that was constructed before the Edo period remaining in Japan (presently 12 keep towers). The 21 buildings that have keep towers are all designated as Important Cultural Heritage.

Construction began in 1602, and took the longest amount of time of all castles in the history of Japanese castle construction (one quarter century). Of the current 12 Keep Towers, this castle and Ehime Castle are special in their style, in which the keep tower is connected to other defensive structures. Starting in 1635, the castle was the residence of the Matsudaira clan, who ruled Matsuyama.

Address	3-2-46 Okaido, Matsuyama 790-0004 Ehime
Hours	(Febrary – July)　9:00 am – 5:00 pm (August)　9:00 am – 5:30 pm (September – November)　9:00 am – 5:00 pm (December – January)　9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Closed	December third Wednesday
Admission Fee	¥520 / Adult (Group of 25 or more: ¥470) ¥160 / Child (Group of 25 or more: ¥150)
Free Wi-Fi	Yes

3.2. Uchikoza｜内子座

This kabuki theatre was built in 1916 on the occasion of the ascension of the Taisho emperor. With a revolving stage, hanamichi walkway, and box-seating, this is an authentic theatre. In 1985, renovations were completed, and currently the theatre is used as a center of performing arts activities locally and beyond. There is an annual performance in August, a favorite summer production of loyal bunraku fans.

Address	2102 Uchiko, Uchiko-cho, Kita-gun 791-3301 Ehime
Hours	9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Closed	New Year Holiday (29 Dec – 2 Jan)
Admission Fee	¥400 / Adult (Group of 20 or more: ¥300) ¥200 / Child (Group of 20 or more: ¥160)

3.3. Dōgo Onsen｜道後温泉

Dōgo Onsen is said to have been discovered 3,000 years ago when a white heron cured its injured leg in its waters. In 596, an Imperial prince Shōtoku Taishi visited the area and was impressed by the hot spring. Over its long history, many people have enjoyed the waters of Dōgo, and it’s been passed down through the generations as a treasure of Matsuyama. The current Dōgo Onsen Honkan was rebuilt in 1894 and it’s the first public bathhouse to be designated an important national cultural property. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has also recognized it as Heritage of Industrial Modernization.Inside the wooden structure, the rooms, corridors and stairs form a fascinating labyrinth. This strange and mysterious building is said to have been a model for the film Spirited Away.

Address	5-6 Yuno-cho, Matsuyama , Ehime 790-0842
Closed	Open all year round ※Closed temporally for cleaning for a day in early December

3.4. Nanraku-en｜南楽園

With a total area of 150,000 square meters, this is Shikoku’s largest Japanese garden. Between the upper and lower lakes, the garden brings together the best of modern landscaping technology. In 1989 this garden was chosen as one of Japan’ Top 100 Urban Gardens. The year-round seasonal beauty of this garden will not disappoint, with spring cherry and rose trees, Japanese iris in the summer, and maple, camellia and plum in the autumn-winter months. The 30,000 Japanese irises begin to bloom in May – really something to see, as they fill the garden with color.

Address	1813, Tsushimacho ko, Chikaie, Uwajima, 798-3303 Ehime
Hours	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed	New Year Holiday (29 Dec – 1 Jan)
Admission Fee	¥300 / Adult (Group of 20 or more: ¥240) ¥150 / Child

4. KOCHI

4.1. Kochi Castle｜高知城

The beautiful Kochi Castle is known as the jewel of the southern road. The construction of this castle was started in 1601 by the feudal lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo, and completed in 1611. In 1727 the main gate building was lost to fire, but reconstructed again in 1749. The castle was spared from the many wars and fires that followed, and now it is one of just twelve castles of its type. The park is also open for free entrance, and you can enjoy all the seasonal sights from the spring cherry blossoms to the fall foliage.

Address	1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi 780-0850 Kochi
Hours	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed	26 December – 1 January
Admission Fee	¥420 / Adult (Group of 20 or more: ¥330) Free / Child

4.2. Muroto-misaki｜室戸岬

Located in the southeastern area of Shikoku, Muroto-misaki juts out into the Pacific Ocean in a v-shape. The coast is punctuated by boulders, and you will be impressed with the National Natural Site tropical forest and coastal vegetation. In 2011, it was approved as a Global Geoparks Network member. The Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark encompasses the entire administrative district of Muroto City, with a total area of 248.20km2. You can learn and experience the geology, history, lifestyle and food cultures which live in harmony with the dynamic natural features across the region.

Address	Muroto, 781-7109 Kochi

5. TOKUSHIMA

5.1. Uzu-no-michi｜渦の道

The Naruto whirlpools can be seen in the Naruto Strait, located between Hyogo’s Awaji city and Tokushima’s Naruto city. The current in the strait can exceed 20 kilometers per hour, and the large whirlpool occurs on the edge of the rapid currents. The diameter measures 20 meters. This whirlpool is counted among the world’s three large whirlpools, along with the Messina Strait in Italy, and Canada’s Seymour Strait. The Tokushima Prefecture Uzu-no-Michi is a great place for a comfortable view of the whirlpool. The whirlpool forms at high and low tide, so it is necessary to check the tide times in advance.

Address	Narutocho (in Naruto Park), Naruto, 772-0053 Tokushima
Hours	(March – September) 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Golden Week and Summer Vacation) 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (October – February) 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed	(March, June, September, December ) Second Monday of the month
Admission Fee	¥510 / Adult (Group of 20 or more: ¥410) ¥250 / Child (Group of 20 or more: ¥200)

5.2. Aizumicho Historical Museum｜藍住町歴史館藍の館

Indigo (ai) is a blue die that is extracted from a plant. The die is also known as Japan Blue, and has been providing color to Japanese life since ancient times. There are several facilities in Tokushima where you can learn about indigo dying from experts, and at the Ai-no-Yakata, the refurbished house of an indigo trader that was turned into a museum, you can dye a handkerchief.

The way you do this is tying off the parts you do not want to dye with rubber bands, and then dying it in the indigo dye until you get your desired color. This experience takes about 20 minutes, and you can take your finished product home with you.

Address	172 Aza Maezunishi, Tokumei, Aizumi-cho, Itano-gun 771-1212 Tokushima
Hours	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed	・Tuesday　※If Tuesday falls on a public holiday, facility is open ・28 December – 1 January
Admission Fee	¥300 / Adult ¥150 / Child

5.3. Awaodori Kaikan｜阿波踊り会館

Awaodori Kaikan is a place where you can enjoy the traditional awaodori dance of Tokushima province throughout the year. The awaodori dance features small cymbals, flutes and the three-stringed ‘shamisen’and two types of drum. The dance consists of a bending deeply at the waist, and performing the distinctive hand and feet movements, all the while moving to the two-beat rhythm and repeating the basic steps. The awaodori dance is traditionally performed every year between August 12-15 in the center of Tokushima city at the Awaodori Festival. At the Awaodori Museum you can also learn about the history, as well as purchase Tokushima souvenirs at the co-located Tokushima Provincial Bussan Koryu Plaza.

Address	2-20 Shimmachibashi, Tokushima, 770-0904 Tokushima
Hours	9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Closed	(February, June October) Second Wednesday of the month ※If Wednesday falls on a national holiday, closed the following day ・December 28 – January 1

Price	¥800 / Adult ¥400 / Child ——20:00—— ¥1,000 / Adult ¥500 / Child
Operation Hours	11:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 / 20:00
Duration	60 Minute(s)

by Shikoku guide