Japan‘s most famous destinations can feel wonderfully familiar, from Tokyo’s energetic streets and Kyoto’s historic districts to Osaka’s food scene and Mount Fuji’s dramatic landscapes.
Yet travellers looking for a slower and more intimate journey are increasingly finding another side of the country on Shikoku.
Japan’s smallest of its four main islands combines pilgrimage traditions, mountain forests, coastal landscapes and distinctive regional cuisine. Across Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime and Kochi, visitors can experience a Japan where ancient customs remain closely connected to everyday life.
The 88-Temple Pilgrimage Defines Shikoku
The island’s most famous cultural experience is the Shikoku Henro, an 88-temple pilgrimage associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai, also known as Kōbō Daishi.
The route covers roughly 1,400 kilometres and circles the island, linking temples, villages, mountains and historic communities. Some travellers complete the entire pilgrimage, while others walk selected sections or visit individual temples as part of a wider holiday.
The experience is not limited to religious tourism.
Walking between temples brings visitors into rural landscapes, through quiet settlements and across sections of countryside that reveal a slower rhythm than Japan’s major metropolitan centres.
Tokushima Begins With Mountains and Traditional Culture
Tokushima, on Shikoku’s eastern side, is an atmospheric introduction to the island.
The prefecture is known for the Awa Odori dance festival, one of Japan’s best-known traditional dance celebrations. Its wider landscape includes the dramatic Iya Valley, where steep mountains, deep gorges and traditional rural communities create some of Shikoku’s most memorable scenery.
The Iya Valley is particularly attractive to travellers interested in nature and rural Japan.
Its winding roads, forested slopes and historic vine bridges create opportunities for hiking, scenic drives and stays away from major urban centres.
Kagawa Brings Japan’s Udon Culture to the Table
If Tokushima introduces Shikoku through culture and mountains, Kagawa does it through food.
The prefecture is famous for Sanuki udon, a style of thick, chewy wheat noodle that has become one of Japan’s best-known regional dishes. Udon restaurants are deeply embedded in local life, and eating the dish in its home region can be a simple but memorable part of an island itinerary.
Kagawa also offers a different kind of sightseeing.
Takamatsu provides access to Ritsurin Garden, while the Seto Inland Sea creates a scenic backdrop of islands, fishing communities and maritime landscapes. Travellers can combine food, gardens, art and coastal experiences within the same stay.
Ehime Adds Castles, Hot Springs and Island Landscapes
Ehime brings another layer to Shikoku’s appeal.
Matsuyama is home to Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s most celebrated hot spring destinations. Dogo Onsen’s long history and distinctive architecture make it a natural stop for travellers interested in traditional Japanese bathing culture.
The prefecture also extends towards the Seto Inland Sea.
Island landscapes, cycling routes and coastal views provide opportunities to explore beyond conventional city sightseeing. The Shimanami Kaido, linking the main island of Honshu with Shikoku through a series of bridges and islands, is particularly attractive to cyclists.
Kochi Connects Food With the Pacific Coast
Kochi offers yet another expression of Shikoku’s regional identity.
Facing the Pacific Ocean, the prefecture is known for its seafood, local produce and distinctive food traditions. Katsuo no tataki, lightly seared bonito, is one of Kochi’s signature dishes and is closely associated with the region’s culinary culture.
Kochi’s food experience also extends into local markets and dining streets.
Hirome Market in Kochi City is a popular place to sample regional dishes in a lively communal setting. For visitors, it provides an easy way to experience local food alongside the social character of the city.
Mountain Forests Make Shikoku a Nature Escape
Beyond temples and food, Shikoku’s natural environment is one of its strongest attractions.
Large areas of the island are mountainous, with forests covering much of the interior. Rivers, valleys and gorges create a landscape that feels considerably removed from the dense urban environments associated with Japan’s biggest cities.
Outdoor experiences range from gentle walks to more demanding hikes.
The island is particularly appealing during the changing seasons, when forests take on different colours and temperatures make walking more comfortable. Spring brings fresh greenery and blossoms, while autumn creates striking colour across mountain landscapes.
A Different Pace of Japanese Travel
Shikoku’s greatest attraction may be the pace itself.
Travellers can spend a morning visiting a centuries-old temple, an afternoon walking through a forest valley and an evening eating regional noodles or freshly prepared seafood. The experiences feel connected rather than separated into conventional tourism categories.
This makes the island particularly suited to longer stays.
Instead of moving rapidly between major attractions, visitors can build an itinerary around local communities, walking routes, food traditions and small cultural encounters.
How to Explore Shikoku
Shikoku is accessible by air, rail, road and ferry, although journey times between mountain communities can be considerably longer than between Japan’s major cities.
Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kochi and Tokushima each provide useful gateways, depending on the itinerary. Rail services connect major centres, while buses and car hire can be more practical for reaching rural valleys and smaller communities.
Travellers planning the 88-temple pilgrimage should allow considerably more time than a conventional sightseeing trip. Even those visiting only selected temples can build a meaningful itinerary around several pilgrimage locations.
Why Shikoku Feels Different
Shikoku does not compete with Tokyo or Kyoto by offering more skyscrapers, bigger shopping districts or larger crowds.
Its appeal comes from something quieter: the chance to experience Japan through walking, spirituality, food, mountains, hot springs and local communities.
The 88 temples provide a cultural thread across the island, while Kagawa’s Sanuki udon, Kochi’s seafood, Tokushima’s mountain traditions and Ehime’s hot springs give each prefecture its own identity.
For travellers seeking a less conventional route through Japan, Shikoku offers an island journey where heritage is not simply something to photograph. It is something to walk through, eat, experience and remember.
