I have been something of a Japanophile for 20 years now. I just thought earlier today, what’s great about Shikoku? Has anything important ever even come out of there? It seems to me it’s even less significant to Japan than Hokkaido is.
Edit: Lots of thanks to the vast majority of responses so far! 🙂 I’ve never been there myself. Do you know of any movies that take place in Shikoku? Or episodes of a recent Taiga drama? I figure there has to be some from Ryomaden.
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/wlb8mc/what_is_great_about_shikoku/
14 comments
Shikoku is perfect to rent a car or and explore. Stunningly beautiful landscapes and a rural environment, yet still quite some cultural sights to see. I loved it there and want to go back soon.
Sanuki udon, some of Japan’s best indigo production, and the 88 temple pilgrimage to name a few.
Shikoku is historically a lot more relevant to japan than Hokkaido because most of the population was in the south. Like mentioned, Tokugawa for example used to be famous for its indigo production. Dogo onsen in Ehime is over 1000 years old and apparently one of the inspirations for the spirited away bathhouse, the Awa Odori festival which is the biggest dance festival in the country, the 88 temples ect.
Sakamoto Ryoma…historically speaking.
Then you have all the mikan. Great tuna.
The 88 temple pilgrimage, which is on my bucket list.
Beautiful scenery. Kochi is one of my favorite spots in Japan.
Udon.
Only REAL Japanophiles know.
Natsume Soseki lived in Matsuyama for a while and set Bottchan there.
Kochi is the home of the Yosakoi festival, which is one of Japan’s still growing events. Ryoma Sakamoto, a very influential samurai in the Edo era, was from Kochi.
Uwajima has a sex shrine
There is a place called Yashima in Kagawa prefecture which is famous for being the place where the Battle of Yashima took place.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yashima#/issues/0
Shikoku is also the location of Shikoku Pilgrimage.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikoku_Pilgrimage
The bath house from the animated movie “Spirited away” is said have been modeled after this onsen facility with 3,000 years of history.
https://dogo.jp/onsen/honkan
For those interested in castles, there’s Matsuyama Castle in Ehime prefecture.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuyama_Castle_(Iyo)
Shikoku may not be for you if you want to experience big cities but it is rich in culture and beautiful scenery.
Toured around Shikoku earlier this year. It was great. I would go back in a heartbeat. Just walking along the rivers and climbing on the rocks was it’s own experience. We spent an entire week there and we were outside 90% of the time.
Tohsa ben
The pilgrimage was a lot of fun. Wait until tourism resumes and try it.
Beautiful, not crowded, what’s not to like?
Lots of thanks to the vast majority of responses thus far! 🙂
I live in Ehime on Shikoku and I love it here. Lots of beautiful sights to see and explore, but also a couple bigger towns within reach like Matsuyama or Takamatsu. The town I’m in (Niihama) has a pretty famous and old taiko festival in autumn.
Kūkai born in what is now Kagawa, Shikoku in the 8th century is one of Japan’s greatest religious and cultural figures. Visit his shrine on Mount Kōya in Wakayama or retrace his steps on the pilgrimage route around Shikoku which visits 88 temple.