Shikoku Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Shikoku reveals Japan's most extraordinary and least visited main island, its remarkable 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage trail, the extraordinary Iya Valley vine bridges, the finest Oboke Gorge boat trip and the remarkable Matsuyama castle town giving the most atmospheric heritage in the country. This route covers the essential Shikoku: the extraordinary Iya Valley vine bridges and canyon scenery, the remarkable Oboke Gorge boat trip, the finest Matsuyama castle and Dogo Onsen, the extraordinary Cape Ashizuri lighthouse and the remarkable Konpira-san pilgrimage shrine.
Best Time To Visit
April to May or October to November
Getting There
Ferry from Hiroshima or fly to Matsuyama Airport.
Getting Around
Car essential. Shikoku is vast with limited public transport.
Budget Per Day
Approx 75 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , driving and some hiking
DAY 1
IYA VALLEY
MORNING
IYA VALLEY KAZURABASHI VINE BRIDGE
The Iya Valley Kazurabashi is the most extraordinary vine bridge in Japan, its remarkable suspension bridge woven from mountain wisteria vines spanning the extraordinary emerald gorge 14 metres above the Iya River giving the finest bridge experience in the country. The remarkable valley of precipitous cliffs and the extraordinary thatched farmhouses clinging to the hillsides give the finest hidden landscape in Shikoku. Entry approx 550 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
OBOKE GORGE BOAT TRIP
The Oboke Gorge boat trip is the most extraordinary river experience in Shikoku, its remarkable 30-minute flat-bottomed boat navigating the extraordinary marble and schist canyon of vivid green water, dramatic rock formations and the finest gorge scenery in western Japan. The remarkable Oboke station area and the extraordinary Lapis Oboke museum of geological formations give the finest gorge experience in the country. Boat approx 1300 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
IYA VALLEY ONSEN AND VIEWS
The Iya Valley is the most extraordinary hidden landscape in Japan, its remarkable V-shaped gorges dropping 1000 metres from the extraordinary Tsurugi-san plateau giving the finest dramatic valley scenery in Shikoku. The remarkable Iya Onsen cable car descending 170 metres to the river hot spring and the extraordinary views of the valley at dusk give the finest evening in the hidden valley. Cable car approx 1300 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nishi Iya vine bridges are the finest hidden bridges in the Iya Valley, the remarkable double and single span bridges in the deeper gorge beyond the main Kazurabashi giving the finest vine bridge experience without the crowds. Entry approx 550 yen. 20 min from the main bridge.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Roadside cafe en route to Iya Valley Outstanding Japanese breakfast on the drive into the extraordinary Iya Valley. Local mountain vegetables and tofu. | Lunch: Oboke gorge restaurant Outstanding Shikoku lunch near the finest marble gorge in Japan. Local fresh river fish and mountain vegetables. | Dinner: Iya Valley farmhouse restaurant Outstanding traditional Shikoku mountain cuisine at a remarkable thatched farmhouse in the extraordinary hidden valley.
DAY 2
MATSUYAMA
MORNING
MATSUYAMA CASTLE
Matsuyama Castle is the most extraordinary original hilltop castle in Japan, its remarkable complete original keep built in 1603 giving the finest unrestored feudal castle in Shikoku. The extraordinary hilltop position accessible by ropeway and the remarkable 360-degree views over the city and Seto Inland Sea give the finest castle experience in western Japan. The remarkable cherry trees covering the castle hill are the finest in Ehime Prefecture. Entry approx 520 yen. Drive: 15 min by tram
MIDDAY
DOGO ONSEN HONKAN
Dogo Onsen is the most extraordinary hot spring bathhouse in Japan, its remarkable three-storey wooden Meiji-era building built in 1894 giving the finest historic bathhouse in the country. Said to be the inspiration for the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, the extraordinary tiled baths and the remarkable third-floor tatami rooms give the finest onsen experience in Shikoku. Entry approx 460 yen. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
ISHITEJI TEMPLE AND GOHONSHA SHRINE
Ishiteji is the most extraordinary 88-temple pilgrimage temple in Shikoku, its remarkable gate guarded by extraordinary Nio guardian statues, the fine three-storey pagoda and the remarkable museum of pilgrim artefacts giving the finest temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage circuit near Matsuyama. The extraordinary subterranean passage lined with Buddhist statuary gives the finest cave temple experience in the region. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ninomaru Shiseki Teien garden below Matsuyama Castle is the finest reconstructed Edo-period garden in Shikoku, its remarkable moat garden and extraordinary stone arrangements giving the finest quiet heritage experience near the castle. Entry approx 50 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Matsuyama cafe near castle Outstanding Ehime breakfast with the finest local mikan orange products before visiting the extraordinary castle. | Lunch: Dogo Onsen area restaurant Outstanding Matsuyama cuisine near the finest historic bathhouse in Japan. Local somen noodles and fresh seafood. | Dinner: Matsuyama restaurant in Gintengai Outstanding Matsuyama dinner in the finest covered shopping street in Shikoku. Local taimeshi sea bream rice.
DAY 3
KONPIRA AND KAGAWA
MORNING
KONPIRA-SAN GRAND SHRINE
Konpira-san is the most extraordinary mountain shrine in Shikoku, its remarkable 785 stone steps ascending through extraordinary cedar forest to the finest panoramic shrine in western Japan. The remarkable Ema Hall of extraordinary maritime votive paintings from sailors seeking safe passage and the fine Shoin building with extraordinary Okyo screen paintings give the finest Shinto heritage in Shikoku. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
MARUGAME CASTLE AND CITY
Marugame Castle is the most extraordinary small castle in Japan, its remarkable original keep perched on extraordinary stone walls giving the finest compact castle experience in Shikoku. The remarkable fan-shaped stone walls, considered the finest castle masonry in Japan, and the extraordinary views over the Seto Inland Sea and Shiwaku islands give the finest castle panorama in western Shikoku. Entry approx 200 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SANUKI UDON EXPERIENCE
Kagawa Prefecture is the most extraordinary udon region in Japan, its remarkable 800 udon restaurants producing the finest sanuki udon noodles in the country , thick, chewy and served in the finest dashi broth. The extraordinary DIY udon restaurants where customers cook their own noodles in vats of boiling broth give the finest food participation experience in Shikoku. Approx 500 yen per bowl.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Naoshima Art Island is accessible from Takamatsu in Kagawa, the finest contemporary art destination in Japan with the remarkable Chichu Art Museum by Tadao Ando and the extraordinary Yayoi Kusama pumpkins. Ferry approx 30 min from Takamatsu. Museum entry approx 2100 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Sanuki udon breakfast near Kotohira Outstanding Kagawa sanuki udon for breakfast, the finest thick noodle in Japan, before ascending the extraordinary shrine. | Lunch: Self-service udon restaurant in Kagawa Outstanding DIY sanuki udon in the finest udon region in Japan. Cook your own noodles for 400 yen. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Matsuyama or Takamatsu Outstanding final Shikoku dinner. Matsuyama taimeshi sea bream rice or Takamatsu fresh Seto Inland Sea seafood.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Matsuyama, Nights 1 to 2 Best base. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Close to castle, Dogo Onsen and Ishiteji. Iya Valley guesthouse Extraordinary thatched farmhouse guesthouses from 80 to 200 euros including local mountain dinner. Budget option Business hotels in Matsuyama from 50 euros. Iya Valley youth hostels from 35 euros per person.
Top Tips
1. Iya Valley vine bridge: arrive before 9am to avoid tour groups. The extraordinary vine bridge in early morning mist with no other visitors is the finest experience in Shikoku.
2. Dogo Onsen: the extraordinary Honkan is under renovation until 2024 but operates partially. The Asuka no Yu modern annex gives the finest Dogo experience in the interim.
3. Konpira-san 785 steps: the extraordinary ascent takes 40 minutes. The remarkable views from the top over the Sanuki plain are the finest panorama in western Japan.
4. Shikoku 88 pilgrimage: the extraordinary white-clad henro pilgrims walking the route are the finest living heritage in Japan. Never pass a pilgrim without offering osettai hospitality.
5. Sanuki udon in Kagawa: the finest udon in Japan costs 400 yen. The extraordinary self-service style where customers cook in vats of boiling broth is the definitive Shikoku experience.
6. Oboke Gorge boat: the extraordinary 30-minute boat departs when full. The finest time is late afternoon when the light enters the gorge and turns the marble walls gold.
Total Budget
75 to 150 euros/day