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Seto Inland Sea

Visit Shikoku, Japan

Visit Shikoku, Japan

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Resting in the waters of the Inland Sea, Shikoku is Japan’s fourth largest island and enjoys a relaxed atmosphere and rural landscape.

Cross to the island by train from Okayama, or board a boat through the archipelago from Hiroshima.

Exploring Shikoku

The island’s main city is Matsuyama, home to one of Japan’s finest castles, perched on a hill top with excellent views and a stunning collection of samurai swords and armour.

In Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest spa towns, the beautiful public baths date back to 1894, while for many visitors the highlight is the attractive garden of Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu, where the ponds, teahouses and bridges took more than a century to complete.

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Places to visit in Shikoku

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting Shikoku, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itinerary featuring Shikoku

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Shikoku, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Shikoku

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around Shikoku

    Photos of Shikoku

    • Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, Iya Valley, Shikoku
      Kazurabashi Vine Bridge, Iya Valley, Shikoku
    • Awa Odori Dancers, Tokushima
      Awa Odori Dancers, Tokushima
    • Yellow Pumpkin, Naoshima
      Yellow Pumpkin, Naoshima
    • Iya Valley
      Iya Valley
    • Tanada rice terraces, Kamikatsu, Tokushima
      Tanada rice terraces, Kamikatsu, Tokushima
    • Iya Valley Vine Bridges, Tokushima
      Iya Valley Vine Bridges, Tokushima
    • Iya Valley Vine Bridges, Tokushima
      Iya Valley Vine Bridges, Tokushima
    • Iya Valley Vine Bridges, Tokushima
      Iya Valley Vine Bridges, Tokushima

    Our expert guides to exploring Shikoku

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Shikoku, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Shikoku at its best.

    • Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond
      Cherry Blossom in Kyoto

      Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond

      Japan’s seasons: cherry blossom and beyond

      Each Japanese season brings a raft of distinct experiences, from spring’s cherry blossom to winter’s snow crab delicacies. Japan specialist Henry shares the highlights of each time of year to help you decide when to visit Japan.

      11 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Shikoku

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Shikoku. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.