I by no means shut up about Shikoku—I’m absolutely conscious of this. The smallest of Japan’s 4 predominant islands has an enormous place in my coronary heart, and I’ll by no means apologize for that.
As a substitute, I’ll evangelize: I need you to find Shikoku as quickly as you possibly can. And ideally, earlier than the remainder of the world finds out about it.
Truly, there’s not an enormous hazard of that. With no Shinkansen connection, and with questionable transportation extra broadly, Shikoku won’t ever be a part of Japan’s vacationer path. However, for those who’re prepared to take a Shikoku street journey, you possibly can uncover locations and experiences you by no means thought existed in Japan.
Getting Round in Shikoku is Cumbersome
A part of the explanation I made a decision to write down a devoted Shikoku street journey itinerary now, greater than eight years after I first visited the island, is that it’s recent in my thoughts. Particularly, I simply spent a number of days driving in rural Kochi prefecture, which jogged my memory of how a lot having your personal set of wheels enhances journey right here. Nonetheless, my motivations are usually not completely based mostly on private expertise.
Certainly, the fact of touring Shikoku is that past the shortage of bullet prepare stops (and the truth that just one rail bridge connects the island to Honshu in any respect), transportation right here simply leaves lots to be desired. Restricted Categorical trains between main cities journey as soon as an hour at most; reaching rural and suburban locations requires using even much less frequent native buses, assuming it’s even doable in any respect—it usually isn’t.
Shikoku Highway Journey Concepts
Highway journeys from Tokushima
Tokushima has a lot to find on foot inside its metropolis middle, however having a automotive unlocks many thrilling locations close by. You can go to the otherworldly Naruto Whirlpools, and even proceed from there to Awaji Island. Alternatively, you possibly can drive inland, through the indigo-producing city of Udatsu into the Iya Valley.
Highway journeys from Kochi
One other option to discover Shikoku by automotive is to start out within the south, particularly town of Kochi. As is the case in Tokushima, you possibly can take a extra coastal route (Capes Muroto and Ashizuri) or head inland, be it to the crystalline Shimanto River, or colourful Nikobuchi waterfall (and, in spring, the Hikichi Bridge peach grove).
Highway journeys from Matsuyama
Matsuyama is Shikoku’s largest metropolis, and in addition its least handy when it comes to transportation. Having a automotive is very useful right here, whether or not you head down the coast to the fort cities of Ozu and Uwajima, and even to Yawatahama, the place you possibly can take a ferry over to Kyushu island.
Highway journeys from Takamatsu
There are additionally loads of Shikoku street journeys from Takamatsu. These embrace evergreen locations like Marugame Fort and Kotohira-gu shrine, sundown spots like Takaya Shrine and Chichibugahama seaside and Mt. Shiude, which provides a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea throughout sakura season.
Iya Valley street journeys
The Iya Valley, broadly talking, is the toughest a part of Shikoku to discover with no automotive. That is true even for mainstream locations just like the Kazurabashi “vine” bridge and Oboke Gorge, however much more so for among the mountaineering routes within the valley, that are all however inaccessible with no automotive.
What to Know About Renting a Automotive and Driving in Shikoku
As is the case with renting a automotive in Japan extra broadly, doing so in Shikoku could be very simple. You’ll want a global driving allow, and to e-book the automotive at the least a day prematurely. I personally all the time hire from Toyota Hire-a-car after I can, however you may as well select respected corporations like Nippon Hire-a-car or Orix Hire-a-car. It’s best to be certain that to get the total protection insurance coverage package deal, in addition to an ETC card for tolls.
By way of driving and the way it pertains to your Shikoku street journey itinerary, remember that velocity limits in Japan are sluggish, and other people usually drive beneath them. The period of time Google Maps tells you it’ll take to get between Level A and Level B won’t absolutely account for this. However, Shikoku’s low inhabitants means you’ll usually have the street to your self, permitting for certainly one of Japan’s most tranquil driving experiences.
Different FAQ About Driving Round Shikoku
Do you want a automotive in Shikoku?
You don’t “want” a automotive in Shikoku, however having one will will let you discover locations outdoors of main cities way more simply. That is very true in inland Shikoku (such because the Iya Valley), in addition to coastal locations like Kochi’s Cape Ashizuri, and Takaya-jinja shrine in Kagawa prefecture.
Is it secure to drive in Shikoku?
Shikoku, like the remainder of Japan, is extraordinarily secure for driving. Velocity limits are low and other people obey them; in lots of locations, there are so few automobiles on the street within the first place that there’s mainly no likelihood so that you can have an accident.
Are there trains on Shikoku?
There are trains on Shikoku, from Restricted Categorical strains that speedily join main cites like Tokushima and Takamatsu, to native trains that string collectively all of the stations in-between. Nonetheless, no Shinkansen bullet prepare travels wherever on Shikoku, which makes it the least handy of Japan’s 4 predominant islands.
The Backside Line
A Shikoku street journey can serve each sensible and esoteric functions. Virtually talking, Shikoku’s prepare and bus community is comparatively barebones by Japanese requirements; having your personal set of wheels lets you disregard it completely. Esoterically, with the ability to discover Shikoku freely lets you entry locations that really feel like someplace out of a dream, from excellent, pastel peach groves in Kochi, to unusual whirlpools in Tokushima; and from obscure castles in Ehime, to out-of-this-world sundown spots in Kagawa. Need to take your Shikoku journey to the subsequent stage? Think about hiring me to plan a customized Japan itinerary for you!