Japan’s Hidden Island: Temples & Festivals of Shikoku

Route: Travel by premium highway bus to Tokushima. Experience: The journey takes you across the scenic island of Awaji-jima and over the magnificent Akashi Kaikyo Bridge – the world’s longest suspension bridge connecting Japan’s main island of Honshu with the mysterious island of Shikoku. Enjoy sweeping ocean views before arriving in the cultural town of Tokushima.

Experience: Spend the day exploring the peaceful charm and authentic atmosphere of Tokushima. Special recommendation: Experience one of the region’s most treasured cultural arts the famous Bunraku puppet theatre. Enjoy a beautifully crafted traditional performance rich in Japanese heritage and storytelling.

Route: Travel by train along one of Shikoku’s beautiful coastal railway lines to the port city of Takamatsu. Experience: Relax as endless blue sea views unfold outside your train window. Upon arrival, visit Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens and widely regarded as one of the country’s finest garden masterpieces.

Experience: A short ferry ride brings you to Naoshima, Japan’s world-famous “art island.” Spend the day discovering its remarkable contemporary art museums and striking architectural spaces. If time allows, continue exploring unique outdoor art installations scattered across the nearby islands.

Route: Pick up your rental car in Takamatsu and drive into the remote Iya Valley. Experience: Enjoy the freedom of driving through peaceful countryside roads as you make your way deep into the untouched mountains of Iya. Your vehicle comes equipped with an advanced GPS navigation system for a smooth and easy journey. Depending on the season, admire dramatic mountain scenery, forest landscapes, and cascading waterfalls along the route.

Experience: Start the morning with a light outdoor adventure white-water rafting through the scenic Oboke Gorge. The rafting route is safe, family-friendly, and suitable even for beginners, while still offering spectacular natural scenery. In the evening, unwind beside the peaceful riverside surroundings.

Route: Drive to the small town of Kannonji to return your rental car, then continue westward by train to Matsuyama. Experience: Western Shikoku offers a completely different atmosphere quieter, more traditional, and deeply nostalgic. Arrive in Matsuyama, the largest city in Shikoku and home to one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts. Check in and overnight at Matsuyama Tokyu REI Hotel.

Experience: Spend the day visiting the magnificent Matsuyama Castle, perched high above the city, and stroll through its beautiful surrounding gardens. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and recharge in soothing onsen hot springs, either at your hotel or at the historic Dogo Onsen nearby. Overnight at Matsuyama Tokyu REI Hotel.

Route: Travel by train across the Seto Inland Sea to Okayama, then continue eastward to Tokyo aboard the famous Shinkansen bullet train. Experience: Along the way, stop in Okayama to visit Korakuen Garden, another of Japan’s three most celebrated traditional gardens. Your final evening in Tokyo is completely free at leisure. Enjoy some last-minute shopping, indulge in an elegant dinner, or simply soak in the dazzling atmosphere of Japan’s vibrant capital city.

Experience: A shared transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tokyo International Airport for your departure flight home. Your flight arrives home the same day, bringing your unforgettable journey through the hidden wonders of Shikoku to a memorable close.