These days it is easy for visitors to reach Shikoku (one of Japan’s four main islands) by road or railway, since three massive bridges have been constructed to link the island to Honshu. Shikoku is an interesting island to visit and offers a good mix of historic, cultural, and outdoor attractions. Many visitors come to make a spiritual pilgrimage along the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route, which includes 88 Buddhist temples and several other sacred sites; walking the entire route would take about a month but you can sample a few of these peaceful places in a day or two using a car or bus. You can try canoeing or rafting on the Shimanto River, and hiking Mount Ishizuchi is very popular. In addition, you can visit the botanical gardens, go whale watching, and sample local food specialties.
Ready to go?
Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Read the reviews, then call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.