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Last update: 20 Oct 2026
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Shikoku Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Japan – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A
Type A:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections. |
| New Year (January) |
One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead. |
|---|---|
| Golden Week (April-May) |
The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport. |
| Obon (August) |
A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi |
| Other: | Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Shikoku, Japan
Climate varies by area: Seto Inland Sea side (Kagawa, Ehime) dry and mild, Pacific side (Kochi) wetter and more exposed to typhoons, mountain interior cold with snow in winter
88 Temple Pilgrimage is best walked in spring and autumn, summer is very hot
Awa Odori dance festival in Tokushima, 12 to 15 August, very crowded
Don't miss
- ⛩️ Complete the 88 Temple Pilgrimage across Shikoku
- 🌊 Admire the whirlpools of Naruto Strait from the Ōnaruto Bridge
- ♨️ Relax in Dōgo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring
- 🌉 Hike through Iya Valley’s vine bridges and remote gorges
- 🍜 Try Sanuki udon noodles in Kagawa Prefecture
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Shikoku?
The Shikoku Pilgrimage follows the path of the monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) past 88 temples and is what the island is best known for. Walkers usually need six to eight weeks to complete the full circuit. Driving or joining a bus tour takes roughly 9 to 12 days. Many people do it in sections over several trips. You can also visit a few temples without committing to the whole route. The landscape and towns give other reasons. In the Iya Valley in Tokushima, handwoven vine bridges cross a deep gorge. The Shimanto and Niyodo rivers run through the south. Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama is among Japan's best-known hot springs. Castles can be visited at Matsuyama, Marugame, Kochi and Ozu. The Setouchi Triennale brings contemporary art to the islands of the Inland Sea every three years. Festivals add dates worth planning around. Tokushima hosts the Awa Odori dance festival and Kochi the Yosakoi Festival, both in summer. Autumn foliage is another draw in the mountains. Shikoku is large and mostly rural, so it suits travellers who want slower, regional trips. A few days in one prefecture, such as Kagawa and Ehime or Tokushima and Kochi, covers the main sights better than a rushed loop. It also pairs easily with Okayama and Hiroshima on Honshu, since bridges and ferries link the two coasts.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Iya Valley
A remote forested gorge in western Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku, known for vine suspension bridges, steep thatched villages and hot springs. Public transport is thin so a car makes the trip far easier. A night here avoids the rush. -
2
Matsuyama
The largest city on Shikoku, with an original hilltop castle and Dogo Onsen, said to be Japan's oldest hot spring. Streetcars link the sights. Okayama is about two and a half hours away by limited express. -
3
Naoshima
An art island off the coast of Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku. Tadao Ando's museums and village art houses are spread across the island. Reservations matter, since the Chichu Art Museum only admits visitors with a booked time. -
4
Shodoshima
A hilly island in the Seto Inland Sea off Kagawa, known as the birthplace of Japanese olive growing. It also has soy sauce breweries, hand-stretched somen noodles and a sandbar path that only opens at low tide. -
5
Kochi
A castle city on Shikoku's Pacific coast with an original keep, a weekly Sunday street market and an indoor food hall. It's the home of seared bonito and a base for Katsurahama beach and the Shimanto River. -
6
Naruto
A Tokushima city on the Naruto Strait, famous for whirlpools that form with the tides. A bridge walkway and boat tours give close views. The Otsuka Museum of Art is nearby. Tokushima Station is about an hour away by bus.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🍽️Eat & Drink
-
1
Yamagoe Udon
Kamatama udon, hot udon noodles stirred with a raw egg, which this shop is known for starting. It began as a noodle factory more than 80 years ago. It has a courtyard and a takeaway counter. -
2
Myojinmaru Hiromeichiba
Warayaki katsuo tataki, bonito seared over a straw fire in front of diners and seasoned with sun-dried salt. This is the first shop of its group and is said to have started salt tataki. It is in Hirome Market. -
3
Ramen Todai Daido Honten
Tokushima ramen, a rich soy sauce and pork bone soup with medium-thin noodles and sweet-savoury simmered pork. Free raw eggs are available at each table. The shop stays open until four in the morning. -
4
Kyodo Ryori Goshiki Honten
Taimeshi, sea bream rice, in two styles, with the Matsuyama kind cooked with the fish and the Uwajima kind topped with sashimi and sauce. The restaurant has run for more than 380 years. -
5
Ganso Uwajima Taimeshi Gansui Honten
Uwajima taimeshi, raw sea bream with sauce and egg over rice, using wild bream caught on lines in the Uwa Sea. The restaurant is known as the birthplace of the dish and has run for more than 100 years. -
6
Matsushita Seimenjo
Self-service Sanuki udon at a noodle factory that has run for more than 50 years. Diners add toppings themselves. The shop is a 5-minute walk from Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station.
🎈Events
-
Awa Odori Festival (August)
-
Yosakoi Festival (August)
-
Dogo Onsen Spring Festival
-
Shikoku Pilgrimage events
-
Matsuyama Autumn Festival
-
Naruto Whirlpools Viewing Season
-
Naoshima Art Triennale
-
Kompira Shrine Spring Festival
-
Shimanto River Fireworks
Knowledge before you go
- The All Shikoku Rail Pass covers private railways too.
- Iya Kazurabashi, the most accessible vine bridge, is about a five minute walk from the Kazurabashi bus stop.
- Awa Odori in Tokushima and Yosakoi in Kochi both fall in August, so book rooms early.
- Vine bridges in the Iya Valley are reinforced with hidden steel cables and rebuilt every three years.
How to travel to Shikoku
Shikoku has four main airports, at Takamatsu (TAK), Matsuyama (MYJ), Kochi (KCZ) and Tokushima (TKS). Flights from Tokyo's Haneda take about 60 to 90 minutes. Osaka and other Japanese cities have links too. Flying is the quickest option if you're heading to Matsuyama or Kochi from Tokyo. By rail, take a shinkansen to Okayama and change to a limited express or rapid train across the Seto Ohashi Bridge to Takamatsu. Tokyo to Okayama takes about 3.5 hours. The Sunrise Seto sleeper train runs from Tokyo to Takamatsu without a change. From Okayama a limited express on the Dosan line reaches Awa-Ikeda in about 90 minutes. Highway buses cross the bridges from Osaka and Kobe to Tokushima and other cities. Cyclists and drivers can use the Shimanami Kaido from Onomichi to Imabari. Ferries connect Shikoku with Hiroshima and Kyushu. Several routes run from Takamatsu to nearby islands such as Shodoshima.
Access summary
- From Takamatsu Airport (TAK): Airport bus to Takamatsu city, about 40 minutes.
- From Osaka: Shinkansen to Okayama, then Marine Liner train over Seto Ohashi, ~2 hours.
- From Tokyo: Domestic flight to Takamatsu/Matsuyama/Tokushima airports, roughly 80–90 minutes.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Shikoku
Most travellers base themselves in one of the four prefectural capitals. Takamatsu has the widest choice of business hotels and works well for Kagawa, Naoshima and Shodoshima. Matsuyama is the base for Dogo Onsen, where ryokan and bathhouses cluster around the hot spring. Kochi suits the Pacific coast and the Shimanto River. Tokushima is the usual starting point for the Iya Valley. Outside the cities the options shift. The Iya Valley has small inns and farmhouse stays, many with simple meals and hot springs. Temples on the pilgrimage route offer lodging called shukubo, which is popular with walkers and usually includes dinner and breakfast. Smaller towns have minshuku guesthouses and a few resort hotels. Festival weeks fill rooms fast. Awa Odori in Tokushima and the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi both take place in August, so book well ahead for those cities. Outside festivals, availability is generally good. It's easy to move between bases by limited express train.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Shikoku
Outside the cities the island is rural, so how you get around depends on where you're going. Limited express trains link the cities, while local trains and buses are much sparser away from them. Some sights have no practical public transport. If you plan to visit several prefectures, combine trains for the long legs with a car for the countryside.
Trains:
Limited express trains are the main way to travel between Shikoku's cities. They cross the island on the Yosan and Dosan lines. The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass lasts three days and covers JR Shikoku lines, several private railways and the Shodoshima Ferry.
Car:
A hire car is the best tool for the Iya Valley, the Shimanto River and temples between cities. Expressways make long legs quick, but driving the whole island is 1,000 – 1,200 km and takes two or three days at a relaxed pace. Iya Valley roads are narrow, so allow extra time.
Cities:
Cities are easier without a car. Matsuyama has trams run by Iyotetsu and Takamatsu has a train network run by Kotoden.
Cycling:
Cycling is popular on the Shimanami Kaido between Onomichi and Imabari, a route of about 70 km over six bridges.
Food in Shikoku
Food in Shikoku is regional and varies by prefecture, with seafood from the Inland Sea and the Pacific.
Kagawa:
Kagawa is the home of Sanuki udon, a chewy wheat noodle eaten in simple shops that tend to close early in the day.
Tokushima:
Tokushima has its own style of ramen and is known for sudachi, a small green citrus used like lemon.
Kochi:
Kochi is known for katsuo no tataki, bonito seared over straw and served in thick slices. Susaki in Kochi has its own nabeyaki ramen.
Ehime:
Ehime is famous for mikan mandarins and for taimeshi, a dish of sea bream with rice, along with jakoten fish cakes.
Most towns have restaurants, convenience stores and supermarkets. Remote stretches of the pilgrimage and the mountains have few shops, so carry snacks and water.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 35% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Shikoku is very safe, with low crime. The main risks are natural. Typhoons in late summer and autumn can disrupt trains and ferries. Mountain roads in the Iya Valley are narrow. The Pacific coast of Kochi and Tokushima is exposed to earthquake and tsunami risk.
Health & Medical
Medical care is good in Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kochi and Tokushima, with large hospitals and pharmacies. Mountain areas such as the Iya Valley and the Pacific coast have only small clinics. Summer heat and humidity can strain pilgrimage walkers, so carry water and plan rest stops.
Accessibility
Accessibility is mixed. Main stations and limited express trains in the cities are manageable. Temples, castles and gorge sights often involve stairs, slopes and gravel paths. Rural buses are sparse. A car or taxi helps outside Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kochi and Tokushima.
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink across Shikoku, as elsewhere in Japan. Convenience stores and vending machines in towns sell bottled water. Pilgrims on remote stretches and hikers in the mountains should carry enough water, since shops can be far apart.
Packing recommendations for Shikoku
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
summer
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
spring/autumn
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
☂️
Folding umbrella
🪰
Insect repellent
👛
Cash in small denominations
some shops are cash-only
🩴
Flip-flops
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
summer
📱
Translation app or phrasebook
🛁
Quick-dry travel towel
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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