SHIKOKU

SHIKOKU PREFECTURES

Ehime Prefecture is located on the north western side of Shikoku Island on the Seto Inland Sea. The capital of Ehime Prefecture is Matsuyama. Ehime Prefecture is famous for its Dogo Hot Spring area and Matsuyama Castle, but also feature the ski resort in Kumakogen (near Matsuyama). Ehime Prefecture is also famous for its citrus fruits, fish and cultured pearls.

Kagawa Prefecture is located on the north eastern side of Shikoku Island on the Seto Inland Sea. The capital of Kagawa Prefecture is Takamatsu. Kagawa Prefecture is the smallest prefecture in Japan by area and is dominated by the city of Takamatsu.

Kochi Prefecture is located on the south coast of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's Big 4 islands. The capital of Kochi Prefecture is Kochi City. Kochi Prefecture is a very rural prefecture with 40% of the population living in the capital city of Kochi. Kochi Prefecture is famous for Kochi Castle and cherry blossom at Kagamino Park and Makino Park.

Tokushima Prefecture is located on the eastern side of Shikoku Island. The capital of Tokushima Prefecture is Tokushima City. Tokushima Prefecture is famous for its Awa-odori Dance Festival, which is held every year from 12th to 15th of August, and features shamisens (traditional Japanese guitar), drums and gongs playing music to go with the tradtional dance. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Tokushima Prefecture was known as Awa Province.

SHIKOKU MAJOR CITIES

Kochi City is the capital of Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Kochi is located at the head of Urado Bay on an alluvial plain. The major attraction of Kochi is Kochi Castle which is the only Japanese Castle which retains both an original keep and palace.

Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Matsuyama is famous for Onsen (hot springs).

Naoshima is a small town located on Naoshima Island which is located in the Seto Inland Sea. Naoshima is part of Kagawa Prefecture. Naoshima is famous for it many art galleries and museums including the Chichu Art Museum which features works by Claude Monet. Other include the Benesse House and the Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum.

Naruto is a city on the coastline of Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Naruto City is the landing point of Naruto Bridge which joins Awaji Island to Shikoku Island. Naruto is famous for the Naruto Whirlpools, which are large whirlpools in the Naruto Straits caused by large tidal flows. Naruto also features Ryozen-ji and Gokuraku-ji temples which are the first and second temples on the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Takamatsu is a port city located on the north eastern end of Shikoku Island on the Seto Inland Sea. Takamatsu is the closest port to Honshu. The main attractions in Takamatsu are Ritsurin Garden; a historic and beautiful Japanese garden which is designated as a "Special Place of Scenic Beauty" and Takamatsu Castle.

Tokushima is the capital of Tokushima Prefecture, located on the eastern side of Shikoku Island. Tokushima is famous for its Awa-odori Dance Festival, which is held every year from 12th to 15th of August, and features shamisens (traditional Japanese guitar), drums and gongs playing music to go with the tradtional dance. Tokushima is a former castle town. Today Tokushima Castle Museum is located on the site of the former castle, along with the beautiful Omotegoten Garden.

SHIKOKU ATTRACTIONS

SHIKOKU CASTLES

Ichinomiya Castle was a hilltop castle located only a few kilometers to the west of Tokushima City Tokushima Prefecture, where Tokushima Castle once stood. Ichinomiya Castle was used by the Ichinomiya family between the 14th and 16th centuries when they ruled the area. Today only a few stone walls remain of Ichinomiya Castle.

Imabari Castle is a Mizujiro (castle in the sea) style Japanese Castle located on the coast line in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Imabari Castle was constructed by the order of Todo Takoatora in 1604, as a replacement for Kokufu Castle, located on Mt Karako, which proved an unsuitable location to rule the area. In 1873 all the main buildings of Imabari Castle were demolished as part of the Meiji Restoration. In 1980 a modern reconstruction of the donjon (tower) was completed.

Kochi Castle is located in the city of Kochi on the island of Shikoku. Kochi Castle was completed in 1611, however this structure burnt down in 1727. Kochi Castle was then rebuilt in the same style in 1753. Significant restoration work was carried out between 1948 and 1959. Kochi Castle is the only Japanese Castle which retains both an original keep and palace.

Marugame Castle is located in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture. Marugame Castle, also known as Kameyama Castle and Horai Castle, began as a fortified residence in 1587, but was later turned into a castle by Ikoma Kazumasa around 1597. In 1615 the castle was dismantled due to a shogunal decree. The current Marugame Castle mostly dates back to 1644, with further improvements made in 1670. In 1869 a fire destroyed many of the buildings. Today only the stone walls, two gates and the keep remain. The buildings are now all declared Important Cultural Properties.

Matsuyama Castle is located on Mt Katsuyama in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. Matsuyama Castle was completed in 1603 with a five story donjon (keep) which was relocated from Aizu Castle. In 1642 Matsudaira Sadayuki completed a new donjon, which was later destroyed by a lightning strike and fire in 1784. Between 1820 and 1854 the current donjon was completed. Parts of the castle were destroyed during World War II and restoration work started in 1966. Matsuyama Castle is a different castle to the similarly named Bitchu Matsuyama Castle.

Ozu Castle is a Japanese Castle located in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Ozu Castle was constructed by the order of Utsunomiya Toyofusa in 1331. Between 1585 and 1617 was upgraded and modified to the form that lasted until 1888 when most of the buildings including the donjon (tower) were destroyed by fire. Two yagura which connected to the donjon survived the fire. In 2004 a modern reconstruction of the donjon (tower) was completed with a museum inside.

Takamatsu Castle is located along the coastline in the city of Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku. Takamatsu Castle was completed in 1590, and is one of only three Japanese Castle surrounded by water moats. Takamatsu Castle features an outer, middle and inner moats. Today only the Ushitora and Moon watch turrets, Mizutegomon gate and walls remain from the original castle.

Tokushima Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located in Tokushima Tokushima Prefecture. Tokushima Castle was constructed in 1585, with a donjon added in three years later. Around 1615 the donjon was demolished and replaced by the three story Higashininomaru turrent. In 1874 all the main structures with the exception of the Washino Gate were demolished as part of the Meiji Restoration. In 1945 a fire destroyed the Washino Gate and the remaining wooden buildings. Today only ruins remain of Tokushima Castle with only a section of wall and moat in what was the south eastern corner of the castle compound. In 1989 the Tokushima Castle Museum was opened on the site along with a reconstructed Washino Gate.

Urado Castle was a hilltop style Japanese Castle located at the entrance to Urado Bay in Kochi City Kochi Prefecture. Urado Castle was used by Chosokabe Motochika for a period after 1591. In 1600 the Chosokabe lost the battle of Sekigahara and Urado Castle was awarded to Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, who only used it as his base for a few years while Kochi Castle was being rebuilt. Today only parts of walls and earthworks remain of the original Urado Castle.

Uwajima Castle is a Japanese Castle located in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, is also known as Tsurushima-jo. Uwajima Castle was built in 1596 and was expanded in 1671. The donjon (tower) is a designated Important Cultural Property.

Yuzuki Castle was a Japanese Castle located near Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama Ehime Prefecture. Yuzuki Castle was upgraded from a fort in the 16th century, but was destroyed in battle in 1585 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Today only a few reconstructed buildings and earthworks remain.

SHIKOKU PARKS and GARDENS

Kagamino Park is located in Kami in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Kagamino Park is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Kotohiki Park is located in Kanonji City on the island of Shikoku. Kotohiki Park is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Makino Park is located in Sakawa Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Makino Park is most famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Omotegoten Garden of Old Tokushima Castle is a traditional Japanese garden located next to Tokushima Castle Museum in Tokushima Tokushima Prefecture. Omotegoten Garden makes extensive use of Awa-no-Ao-shi, a local green stone, of particular note is the broken stone bridge within the dry landscape part of the garden. The garden pond water level varies with the tides as it is connected to seawater of the innner moat.

Ritsurin Garden is a famous, historic and beautiful Japanese garden which is designated as a "Special Place of Scenic Beauty". Ritsurin Garden is one of the main attractions in the city of Takamatsu (Shikoku Island). Ritsurin Garden, established in 1625, it features bridges, tea house, ponds with koi, paths, small hills and is set against the background of Mt Shiun.

Seibu Park, located in Tokushima on the island of Shikoku is famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Shiroyama Park, located in Matsuyama on the island of Shikoku. Shiroyama Park is most famous for its cherry blossom and is considered one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

SHIKOKU MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

Awa-odori Hall (Awa-odori Kaikan) is theatre where displays of Awa-odori Dance can be seen throughout the year. Tokushima is famous for its Awa-odori Dance Festival, which is held from 12th to 15th of August every year, and features shamisens (traditional Japanese guitar), drums and gongs playing music to go with the tradtional dance. Awa-odori Hall also features museum on its third floor and on the the fifth floor is the station for the ropeway to Mt Bizan.

Shikoku Mura is an outdoor museum which features traditional farmhouses from all over the island of Shikoku that have been relocated to the site. The folk houses featured in Shikoku Mura are from the Edo to the Taisho Period. In addition to the houses many traditional tools are also on display. Shikoku Mura is located in Takamatsu.

Tokushima Castle Museum is located on the site of the former Tokushima Castle in Tokushima Tokushima Prefecture. Tokushima Castle Museum exhibits art works and historic materials from the history of Tokushima. Tokushima Castle Museum is built in the style of the main hall of Tokushima Castle.

SHIKOKU TEMPLES and SHRINES

Ishite-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect, located in Matsuyama Ehime Prefecture. Ishite-ji Temple is temple 51 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Ishite-ji Temple was established in 728AD and the oldest structure is the Niomon Gate or Deva Gate, which was completed in 1318 and is a designated National Treasure. The Ishite-ji Temple three story pagoda and gorinto (five ring tower) are Important Cultural Properties.

Konpira Shrine, also known as Kotohira-gu, is a Shinto shrine located half way up Mt Zozu, in the city of Kotohira Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. Konpira Shrine is famous for the large number of steps on the way up to the shrine: 785 to the outer shrine and a total of 1,368 to the inner shrine. Konpira Shrine has several Important Cultural Properties including a Heian Period eleven faced Kannon Bosatsu statue and four artworks by Maruyama Okyo.

SHIKOKU OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Dogo Onsen is a famous hot spring in Matsuyama Ehime Prefecture, which is one of the oldest onsen in Japan. Today Dogo Onsen normally refers to the three story Dogo Onsen public bath which was built in 1894 and features Yushinden; a bath for the exclusive use of the Imperial Family.

Mt. Bizan is the symbol of Tokushima City. From the lookout point on the top of Mt Bizan the whole of Tokushima City and beyond. On a clear day the Kii Peninsula to the east and Awaji Island to the north can be seen. Access to Mt. Bizan is provided by a ropeway, with the ground level station located on the fifth floor of the Awa-odori Hall.

Naruto Bridge spans the Naruto Stratis to join Awaji Island to Shikoku Island at Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture. Naruto Bridge features an observation deck to view the famous Naruto Whirlpools, which are large whirlpools in the Naruto Straits caused by large tidal flows.

Naruto Straits are a narrow section of water located between Awaiji Island and Shikoku Island at Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture. The Naruto Straits are famous for their Naruto Whirlpools, which are large whirlpools caused by large tidal flows going through the narrow Naruto Straits.

Naruto Whirlpools are large whirlpools created in the Naruto Straits by large flows of sea water moving back and forth with the tides between Naruto Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Island. The Naruto Whirlpools can be observed from the Uzu-no-Michi walkway, an observation deck built below the Naruto Bridge, which is approximately 45m above the water or one of the sightseeing boats.

Sancho Ropeway Station is the terminal on Mt. Bizan Tokushima Prefecture, where the main lookout point on Mt Bizan. From this point you can view the whole of Tokushima City and beyond. On a clear day the Kii Peninsula to the east and Awaji Island to the north can be seen. Access to Mt. Bizan is provided by a ropeway, with the ground level station located on the fifth floor of the Awa-odori Hall.