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Suizenji Gardens, Kumamoto
Harvesting potatoes, Iya Valley
Sunset over Ishigaki Island, Okinawa
Eastern Shikoku
Shikoku is home to some of the nation’s most
atmospheric festivals, finest gardens and most
picturesque coastal scenery. Each August,
Tokushima’s Awa Odori Festival attracts over a
million visitors and is home to the traditional
Bunraku form of puppet theatre. Nearby
Takamatsu boasts the splendid Ritsurin Gardens,
and no more than an hour away by ferry, the
world-class art museums and attractive coastal
scenery of Naoshima Island can be enjoyed as a
day trip. Many of the 88 famous temples that
constitute Japan’s most celebrated Buddhist
pilgrimage are located in the heart of eastern
Shikoku and can nowadays be accessed by car,
rather than the more arduous task of visiting
them all on foot. Head further inland to the Iya
Valley where breathtaking mountain scenery
awaits, complete with ancient farmhouses, vine
bridges crossing precipitous gorges, and some
white-water rafting opportunities.
Seto-Ohashi Bridge, crossing Inland Sea
Western and Central Shikoku
Shikoku’s largest city is Matsuyama, home to one
of Japan’s finest castles, perched on a hilltop with
excellent views and a stunning collection of
samurai swords and armour. Nearby Dogo
Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest spa towns, has
beautiful public baths that date back to 1894.
The craggy western coastline is dotted with
quaint fishing villages full of friendly locals and
delicious regional cuisine. Further south, Uwajima
boasts a fertility shrine, unique in Japan. Kochi
Prefecture in the south of the island was once
the most rugged and cut-off part of Japan and it
is here that many of the most hard to reach
temples on the pilgrimage route are located,
along with a fine original castle and a bustling
Sunday market in the town of Kochi itself.
TSUBAKI-KAN DOGO ONSEN,
MATSUYAMA
This ryokan style hotel retains elements of
traditional Japanese accommodation such as
kaiseki dining, traditional breakfasts and futon
mattress sleeping arrangements, but also has
many convenient western amenities. Being located
in the centre of the Dogo Onsen area the baths
at the hotel are excellent and truly relaxing.
Aside from the hotel facilities there is a fascinating
taiko drum show in the lobby on most evenings
which is extremely entertaining to watch.
Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama
Okinawa
Naha and the southern end of Okinawa Honto
(the main island) make a good base from which
to start your time in the Okinawan island chain.
The area directly surrounding Naha has some
good nightlife, as well as Shurijo Castle, attractive
gardens and plenty to keep children occupied.
Many of the resort hotels have excellent
beaches with extensive facilities, and to the
north of the island you’ll find more rugged
scenery and a first-class aquarium. A short journey
from Naha are the semi-tropical islands of Ishigaki,
Miyako and Kurume, offering white sand beaches,
diving and snorkelling, coral reefs, jungle walks and
various other resort activities. Overseas visitors to
these islands are still few and far between, making
travel here a little more challenging for non-
Japanese speakers but allowing you to experience
true Japanese style relaxation.
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