Japan: Shikoku Island

Tranquil Shikoku, the mountain-ringed island of Japan’s classic Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, has a lushly rural atmosphere and a history rich with elements of traditional Japan found nowhere else in the country. With veteran Japan Trip Leader Kate Ulberg, we spend our days exploring exquisite pagodas and shrines, meeting local people from all walks of life, and learning about the ancient ways of Shikoku Island. The island is renowned for its folk arts, as we learn on visits to traditional weavers and dyers, washi (paper) makers, and candlemakers. We also explore multi-roofed Edo-period castles, masterfully landscaped gardens designed for feudal lords, and village hamlets tucked into green mountains. Most nights we stay in ryokans, the serene inns that are a perfect reflection of Japanese culture.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Osaka / Takamatsu / Tokushima

Journeying by train from Osaka to Shikoku Island, we stroll the garden paths and hills of charming Ritsurin Koen, one of the most renowned traditional gardens of Japan, an Edo-era (1615-1868) reserve for the ruling Matsudaira family. We climb the 1,386 steps to Kompira-san, a mountain-top shrine to the Sea God and one of Shinto’s major places of pilgrimage. In Tokushima, we learn about the local otani-yaki pottery and the special indigo dyeing done here, and visit Ryozenji, temple number one on Shikoku’s ancient pilgrimage circuit and a vision of elegant gardens and picturesque pagodas.

Days 5-7
Iya Valley / Kochi

In the Iya Valley, tall peaks and deep gorges made a safe haven for the Heike clan after its defeat by the rival Genji clan during civil wars in the 12th century. Today, Iya’s mountainsides are dotted with tiny rural hamlets that preserve their traditional ways. We explore this hidden region, including a visit to Kochi Castle, and stroll a Sunday morning outdoor market that has been held for the past 300 years.

Days 8-13
Shimanto River / Cape Ashizuri / Miyajima Island

We boat along the wild Shimanto River then discover the lush beauty of Cape Ashizuri, where camellias and tropical plants flourish. After exploring the 16th century fortress of Tsurushima-jo, we head to our onsen (hot springs) hotel in Matsuyama. We ferry across the islet-studded Seto Sea for a grand finale at Miyajima, a divine island of ancient legends where the venerable shrine of Itsukushima-jinja, with its vermilion torii gate, rises out of the sea. Depart via Osaka on Day 13.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

More Cultural Odysseys in Japan with Kate Ulberg

• Temples, Treasures & Teahouses
  Experience magical Kyoto, Koyasan monastery, enjoy the fabulous spectacle of Sanno Matsuri (Takayama's Spring Festival), and overnight in a serene Buddhist monastery perched on a mountaintop. April 4-17, 2011.
• In the Footsteps of Basho
  Follow the journey of Japan’s most celebrated haiku poet. Includes pine-clad Matsushima Bay, 11th century Hiraizumi, mountain temples at Yamadera. October 9-21, 2011.

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate. Although the trip is not physically demanding, it will yield greater rewards if you are in good physical condition and able to stay on your feet for 6-7 hours per day. A fair amount of walking is necessary to take it all in—and you will find that there are many steps to climb! Please remember, many nights we will be sleeping on futons and eating at floor level, so it is important that you are able to sit down on and get up off the floor without much difficulty.

Shikoku Island has beautiful scenery, a rural atmosphere, distinctive arts and crafts, rural villages with thatched roof houses, friendly people, and a less frenetic pace of life than in other parts of modern Japan. Our days will be spent at temples and shrines, gardens and spots of natural beauty, meeting local folk and learning about daily life as well as visiting museums and viewing traditional performances, riding on buses and trains, wandering, and exploring. Some of our longer travel days (3-4 hours by bus) are broken up with sights and walks. There are also bus rides on some very curvy mountain roads.

Explanation of Trip Levels