SHIKOKUShikoku is an oft-forgotten island in Japan. The smallest of Japan's Big Four, it lies to the south of Honshu. The island is thought of as a rural backwater, with few must-see attractions, but a visit there can wash away those doubts; the mountainous inner regions offer some good hiking. It is also the home of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
Shikoku is a primarily agricultural island, renowned for its citrus fruits. Cutting through the centre of the island is the mighty Yoshino river whose clear waters and big turbulent rapids make for great rafting. |
1. Naoshima
Naoshima is an island located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. It is renowned for its collection of contemporary art galleries and exhibits.
Naoshima is best known for the Benesse House complex. There has been extensive domestic attention to the Chichu Art Museum completed in 2006. The island itself has been settled as long as there have been Japanese. The original settlement is the now-diminuitive fishing port of Tsumuura. The most prominent settlement on the island is Honmura which was established as a coastal castle town (warring states) period (1467-1568). A number of houses in this town have been radically reformed in the Art House Project. Miyanoura - the port at which you will likely alight - is now the passenger and transport hub for the island, yet remains a sleepy coastal town.
The island can be quite hilly but pleasant enough along the coasts for biking and walking, except for the road from Miyanoura to Chichu Art Museum. It is entirely feasible for all sights on this island to be seen in one day but take a note from the locals and enjoy the island as a whole, in your own pace. There are beaches and mountains here, so pack swimming trunks, sunscreen and some good walking shoes if you are so inclined. Though the island is much closer to Honshu, administratively it belongs to Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku.
Naoshima is best known for the Benesse House complex. There has been extensive domestic attention to the Chichu Art Museum completed in 2006. The island itself has been settled as long as there have been Japanese. The original settlement is the now-diminuitive fishing port of Tsumuura. The most prominent settlement on the island is Honmura which was established as a coastal castle town (warring states) period (1467-1568). A number of houses in this town have been radically reformed in the Art House Project. Miyanoura - the port at which you will likely alight - is now the passenger and transport hub for the island, yet remains a sleepy coastal town.
The island can be quite hilly but pleasant enough along the coasts for biking and walking, except for the road from Miyanoura to Chichu Art Museum. It is entirely feasible for all sights on this island to be seen in one day but take a note from the locals and enjoy the island as a whole, in your own pace. There are beaches and mountains here, so pack swimming trunks, sunscreen and some good walking shoes if you are so inclined. Though the island is much closer to Honshu, administratively it belongs to Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku.
2. Kotohira
Kotohira is a small town in Kagawa Prefecture, which is famous for Kompirasan, Shikoku's most popular shrine. Kompirasan is dedicated to seafaring, and is said to have one of the most difficult shrine approaches in Japan. Nearby is the historical Kanamaruza kabuki theater.
Located in the nearby precincts are such historical sites as the Main Sanctuary, Asahi-no-yashiro Shrine, Omote-shoin (formal drawing room), and Oku-shoin (inner drawing room). You can also visit Houmotsu-kan (treasure house) that houses an 11-faced image of the Goddess of Kannon and other treasures, an academic reference library that displays numerous donated arts and crafts, a museum that exhibits an excellent collection of works by Yuichi Takahashi, a pioneer of Japanese oil painting, Shiro-shoin, known for its 'fusuma' (sliding doors) painting by Kyoji Takubo with a motif of camellias planted in Kotohira-gu Shrine, and Kamitsubaki, a cafe restaurant that relieves the fatigue of worshippers. During the festival celebrated in fall, a 'mikoshi' (portable shrine) weighing more than one ton is carried up the stone steps during the night, and after worship is returned to the shrine during the night of the following day.
In the areas surrounding the approach way, there remain many historic sites, such as the tall lantern that used to be the landmark of Konpira pilgrimages and Saya-hashi Bridge. The town of Kitohira also welcomes a number of visitors to its Konpira-onsen Hot Spring Village.
Located in the nearby precincts are such historical sites as the Main Sanctuary, Asahi-no-yashiro Shrine, Omote-shoin (formal drawing room), and Oku-shoin (inner drawing room). You can also visit Houmotsu-kan (treasure house) that houses an 11-faced image of the Goddess of Kannon and other treasures, an academic reference library that displays numerous donated arts and crafts, a museum that exhibits an excellent collection of works by Yuichi Takahashi, a pioneer of Japanese oil painting, Shiro-shoin, known for its 'fusuma' (sliding doors) painting by Kyoji Takubo with a motif of camellias planted in Kotohira-gu Shrine, and Kamitsubaki, a cafe restaurant that relieves the fatigue of worshippers. During the festival celebrated in fall, a 'mikoshi' (portable shrine) weighing more than one ton is carried up the stone steps during the night, and after worship is returned to the shrine during the night of the following day.
In the areas surrounding the approach way, there remain many historic sites, such as the tall lantern that used to be the landmark of Konpira pilgrimages and Saya-hashi Bridge. The town of Kitohira also welcomes a number of visitors to its Konpira-onsen Hot Spring Village.
3. Takamatsu
Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture. The city's port used to be the main entry point to Shikoku Island until the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge in 1988. The Matsudaira Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, controlled Takamatsu's former castle town and surrounding area, then known as the Sanuki Province, during most of the Edo Period. The ruling clan is also responsible for the construction of Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens.
Takamatsu City is located in the northeast part of Shikoku. To the north of the city lies the Seto Inland Sea, a national park of the ocean dotted with beautiful islands. To the south we can look out over the Sanuki mountain range. The city of Takamatsu is a vibrant blend of natural beauty and cosmopolitan functionality. With a population of 420,000 people, it is the capital city of Kagawa prefecture. Takamatsu is both the gateway to Shikoku and a city of scenic beauty. It has flourished along with the Seto Inland Sea since ancient times as a castle town on the sea. Even today, historical place names and ruins remain, which leave visitors with a sense of Takamatsu's deep role in Japan's history. Furthermore, Takamatsu is a great place to find fresh seafood and produce.
Takamatsu City is located in the northeast part of Shikoku. To the north of the city lies the Seto Inland Sea, a national park of the ocean dotted with beautiful islands. To the south we can look out over the Sanuki mountain range. The city of Takamatsu is a vibrant blend of natural beauty and cosmopolitan functionality. With a population of 420,000 people, it is the capital city of Kagawa prefecture. Takamatsu is both the gateway to Shikoku and a city of scenic beauty. It has flourished along with the Seto Inland Sea since ancient times as a castle town on the sea. Even today, historical place names and ruins remain, which leave visitors with a sense of Takamatsu's deep role in Japan's history. Furthermore, Takamatsu is a great place to find fresh seafood and produce.