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Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's main islands, and tends
to get left out of many people's travel plans. That's a shame - the island
has a great deal to offer: Japan's only remaining bridge constructed entirely
of vines (the one you see here), its clearest river (the famous Shimanto-gawa),
one of its finest preserved towns (Uchiko, where traditional crafts are
still practiced), and much more. Many of the off- the- beaten- track roads
are blessedly vehicle-free and very pleasant. A warning, though: if you're
used to the gentle slopes of the Chugoku region of Honshu directly north
of here, be prepared for a shock - the mountains on Shikoku are definitely
more, well, mountainous. |
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| This extended route goes counter-clockwise around the island
from the east, omitting only the rather industrialized north. We start in
the east and head south by one of two routes: either starting from Tokushima
(near the famous whirlpool of Naruto) and following the coast down to Muroto-misaki
(Cape Muroto) and then west, or starting from Takamatsu and going straight
down through the center of the island, past the cragged river gorges of
Oboke and Koboke, the vine bridge of Kazurabashi, and up and over a 1,173-meter
pass. Either way, we end up in the southern city of Kochi with its interesting
historical sights, streetcars and spectacular beach. From there, we go east
through rugged Tosa to even more rugged Ashizuri-misaki (again, Cape Ashizuri)
and north to the lovely city of Uwajima and the traditional towns of Ozu
and Uchiko, to finally end up in Matsuyama, Shikoku's sprawling but still
small-town city. It's a long trip - you're gonna love it. |
