Shikoku Japan
5
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Five days in Shikoku gives the complete experience of Japan's most extraordinary undiscovered island, from the remarkable Iya Valley vine bridges and the extraordinary Oboke Gorge to the finest Matsuyama castle town, the remarkable Cape Ashizuri wilderness and the extraordinary Naruto whirlpools. This route covers the full Shikoku: the extraordinary Iya Valley vine bridges, the remarkable Oboke Gorge boat trip, the extraordinary Matsuyama castle and Dogo Onsen, the remarkable Kochi Sunday market, the extraordinary Cape Ashizuri lighthouse and the remarkable Naruto tidal whirlpools.
Best Time To Visit
April to May for cherry blossom. Oct to Nov for finest weather.
Getting There
Fly to Matsuyama Airport or take ferry from Hiroshima.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Limited trains connect main cities.
Budget Per Day
Approx 75 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , driving, walking and some gorge hiking
DAY 1
IYA VALLEY
MORNING
IYA VALLEY VINE BRIDGE
The Iya Valley Kazurabashi vine bridge is the most extraordinary bridge in Japan, its remarkable wisteria vine suspension spanning the extraordinary emerald gorge giving the finest bridge experience in the country. The remarkable valley of precipitous cliffs and extraordinary thatched farmhouses 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 navigates the most extraordinary marble and schist canyon in Japan, its remarkable 30-minute flat-bottomed boat through vivid green water and dramatic rock formations giving the finest gorge experience in western Japan. The extraordinary geological formations and the remarkable Lapis Oboke museum give the finest canyon experience in Shikoku. 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 giving the finest dramatic scenery in Shikoku. The remarkable Iya Onsen cable car descending to the river hot spring and the extraordinary valley views at dusk give the finest evening in the hidden valley of western Japan. Cable car approx 1300 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nishi Iya double vine bridge is the finest hidden bridge in the Iya Valley, the remarkable double span in the deeper gorge beyond the main bridge giving the finest experience without the crowds. Entry approx 550 yen. 20 min from the main Kazurabashi.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Roadside cafe en route to Iya Outstanding Japanese breakfast on the drive into the extraordinary Iya Valley. Local mountain vegetables. | Lunch: Oboke gorge restaurant Outstanding Shikoku lunch near the finest marble gorge in Japan. Local river fish and mountain produce. | Dinner: Iya Valley farmhouse restaurant Outstanding traditional mountain cuisine at a remarkable thatched farmhouse in the extraordinary Iya Valley.
DAY 2
MATSUYAMA
MORNING
MATSUYAMA CASTLE
Matsuyama Castle is the most extraordinary original hilltop castle in Japan, its remarkable complete original keep of 1603 giving the finest unrestored feudal castle in Shikoku. The extraordinary views over the city and Seto Inland Sea and the remarkable cherry trees covering the castle hill give the finest castle experience in western Japan. Entry approx 520 yen. Drive: 15 min by tram
MIDDAY
DOGO ONSEN HONKAN
Dogo Onsen is the most extraordinary historic bathhouse in Japan, its remarkable Meiji-era wooden building of 1894 said to have inspired the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away giving the finest onsen heritage in the country. The extraordinary tiled baths and the remarkable third-floor tatami rooms give the finest hot spring experience in Shikoku. Entry approx 460 yen. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
ISHITEJI PILGRIMAGE TEMPLE
Ishiteji is the most extraordinary pilgrimage temple near Matsuyama, its remarkable gate guardian statues, fine three-storey pagoda and the extraordinary subterranean passage lined with Buddhist statuary giving the finest cave temple experience on the Shikoku 88 circuit. The remarkable pilgrim atmosphere and the extraordinary artefact museum give the finest heritage in the area. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ninomaru Shiseki Teien garden below Matsuyama Castle is the finest reconstructed Edo garden in Shikoku, its remarkable moat garden giving the finest quiet heritage experience near the extraordinary castle. Entry approx 50 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Matsuyama cafe near castle Outstanding Ehime breakfast with local mikan orange products before the extraordinary hilltop castle. | Lunch: Dogo Onsen area restaurant Outstanding Matsuyama somen noodles and fresh seafood near the finest historic bathhouse in Japan. | Dinner: Matsuyama Gintengai restaurant Outstanding Matsuyama taimeshi sea bream rice in the finest covered shopping street in Shikoku.
DAY 3
KOCHI
MORNING
KOCHI SUNDAY MARKET
The Kochi Sunday Market is the most extraordinary outdoor market in Japan, its remarkable 1km street market held every Sunday since 1690 with extraordinary local produce, the finest yuzu citrus in Japan, remarkable handmade crafts and the best local food in Shikoku giving the finest traditional market experience in the country. The remarkable Harimayabashi red bridge nearby gives the finest symbol of Kochi city. Free to browse. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
KOCHI CASTLE
Kochi Castle is the most extraordinary complete original castle in Japan, its remarkable original keep, great hall, gates and turrets all surviving intact giving the finest unmodified feudal castle in the country. The extraordinary views over the Kochi plain and the remarkable cherry trees in the castle grounds give the finest castle experience in southern Shikoku. Entry approx 420 yen. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
KATSURAHAMA BEACH AND MUSEUM
Katsurahama is the most extraordinary beach in Shikoku, its remarkable crescent of dark sand beneath extraordinary pine-covered cliffs giving the finest coastal scenery in Kochi Prefecture. The remarkable Sakamoto Ryoma Museum celebrating the finest hero of the Meiji Restoration and the extraordinary Tosa Dogfighting Museum give the finest cultural experience on the Kochi coast. Free to walk the beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ryuga-do limestone cave near Kochi is the finest cave system in Shikoku, its remarkable 4km of illuminated stalactites and the extraordinary prehistoric animal bones giving the finest underground experience in the south. Entry approx 1200 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kochi market breakfast Outstanding Kochi Sunday market breakfast. Fresh yuzu products, local fish and the finest morning market food in Shikoku. | Lunch: Kochi restaurant near castle Outstanding Tosa cuisine in the finest castle town in southern Shikoku. Local katsuo tataki bonito and fresh seafood. | Dinner: Kochi Hirome Market Outstanding Kochi Hirome Market evening. The most extraordinary covered food market hall in Shikoku with local sake and katsuo.
DAY 4
CAPE ASHIZURI
MORNING
CAPE ASHIZURI LIGHTHOUSE
Cape Ashizuri is the most extraordinary headland in Shikoku, its remarkable position as the southernmost point of the island giving the finest coastal drama in the country. The extraordinary white lighthouse perched above the sheer 80-metre cliffs and the remarkable Pacific Ocean panorama give the finest cape scenery in Japan. The remarkable Kongofuku-ji Temple, the 38th temple of the 88-pilgrimage, gives the finest religious heritage at the cape. Free. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
TATSUKUSHI CORAL COAST
Tatsukushi is the most extraordinary coral coast in Japan, its remarkable formations of hexagonal basalt columns rising from the sea giving the finest geological coastline in Shikoku. The extraordinary glass-bottomed boat tours over the coral reef and the remarkable sea turtle nesting beaches give the finest coastal nature experience on the Tosa coast. Glass boat approx 1300 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SHIMANTO RIVER AND SUSPENSION BRIDGES
The Shimanto is the most extraordinary clean river in Japan, its remarkable Chinka-bashi submerged bridges built without handrails to allow flooding over the top giving the finest traditional river engineering in the country. The extraordinary emerald water and the remarkable traditional fishing boats and nets give the finest natural river experience in Kochi Prefecture. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nakamura old town near the Shimanto River is the finest hidden castle town in Kochi, its remarkable preserved samurai and merchant districts earning it the nickname Little Kyoto of Tosa. The most extraordinary forgotten town in Shikoku. Free to walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cape Ashizuri guesthouse breakfast Outstanding Tosa breakfast at the extraordinary southernmost cape of Shikoku. Local Pacific seafood. | Lunch: Ashizuri coast restaurant Outstanding fresh Pacific seafood at the finest cape restaurant in southern Shikoku. | Dinner: Shimanto riverside restaurant Outstanding Shimanto river feast. The finest freshwater ayu sweetfish and eel in Japan.
DAY 5
NARUTO AND KONPIRA
MORNING
NARUTO TIDAL WHIRLPOOLS
The Naruto whirlpools are the most extraordinary tidal phenomenon in Japan, their remarkable formation as Pacific and Seto Inland Sea tides collide in the extraordinary Naruto Strait creating whirlpools up to 20 metres across giving the finest tidal spectacle in the country. The remarkable Uzunomichi glass walkway under the Naruto Bridge and the extraordinary boat trips into the whirlpools give the finest viewing. Walkway entry approx 510 yen. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
OTSUKA MUSEUM OF ART
The Otsuka Museum is the most extraordinary art museum in Japan, its remarkable collection of 1000 full-scale ceramic reproductions of the world's greatest Western paintings , Sistine Chapel, Guernica, Water Lilies , displayed in their original architectural contexts giving the finest art education experience in the country. The extraordinary underground floors and the remarkable walk through art history give the finest museum in Shikoku. Entry approx 3300 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
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 maritime votive paintings and the fine Shoin building with extraordinary Okyo screen paintings give the finest Shinto heritage in Shikoku. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tokushima Awa Odori dance festival in August is the finest street dance festival in Japan, its remarkable 400-year-old tradition of thousands of dancers flooding the streets in extraordinary costume giving the most atmospheric festival in Shikoku. The finest free spectacle in Japan.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Naruto cafe before whirlpool visit Outstanding Tokushima breakfast before the extraordinary Naruto tidal whirlpools. Local Awa odori heritage. | Lunch: Otsuka Museum cafe Outstanding lunch inside the most extraordinary art museum in Japan. The finest museum dining in Shikoku. | Dinner: Farewell udon dinner in Kagawa Outstanding farewell Shikoku dinner. Kagawa sanuki udon, the finest noodle in Japan, to finish the journey.
Where To Stay
Matsuyama, Nights 1 to 2 Best hub. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Close to castle, Dogo Onsen and tram connections. Kochi or Ashizuri, Night 3 Best for Cape Ashizuri. Guesthouses from 60 to 120 euros with local Tosa seafood dinner. Budget option Business hotels in Matsuyama and Kochi from 50 euros. Iya Valley guesthouses from 35 euros.
Top Tips
1. Iya Valley vine bridge before 9am: the extraordinary bridge in early morning mist with no visitors is the finest experience in Shikoku. Tour groups arrive from 10am.
2. Dogo Onsen: the extraordinary Honkan 1894 bathhouse is a National Important Cultural Property. The remarkable third-floor tatami room with yukata and matcha is the finest way to experience it.
3. Naruto whirlpools: the extraordinary tidal flows peak at spring tides. Check the tide calendar at uzushio.net before visiting , the finest whirlpools require the right timing.
4. Cape Ashizuri: the extraordinary lighthouse at the southern tip is most atmospheric in April when the rhododendrons bloom on the cliff edges. The finest view in southern Shikoku.
5. Kochi katsuo tataki: the finest bonito in Japan, seared over straw flame and served with ginger and garlic, is the definitive Shikoku food experience. Order it everywhere in Kochi.
6. Otsuka Museum: allow 4 hours minimum. The extraordinary full-scale Sistine Chapel reproduction alone requires 30 minutes. The most extraordinary museum experience in Japan.
Total Budget
75 to 150 euros/day