Best places to visit in Shikoku

Shikoku's Essential Treasures

Shikoku’s landscape is defined by the 1,200-kilometer Shikoku Henro pilgrimage, featuring 88 Buddhist temples like the cliff-side Iwaya-ji and the historic Yashima-ji. The region preserves feudal history through original Edo-period structures, including the hilltop Matsuyama and Kōchi Castles. Beyond spiritual and historic sites, the island showcases unique engineering like the Tei Port Movable Bridge and botanical artistry at the officially recognized Monet’s Garden Marmottan in Kitagawa village.

Shikoku's Essential Treasures — Map

663highland / CC BY 2.5

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Kōchi Castle

Kōchi Castle is a castle located in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.

Shiro4873 / CC BY 3.0

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Matsuyama Castle

One of Japan's twelve original castles, this hilltop fortress was constructed in 1603. It contains 21 buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, including a complex main keep accessible by ropeway or chairlift.

Urashimataro / Public domain

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Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is a flatland-mountain castle that was built in 1603 on Mount Katsuyama, whose height is 132 meters, in Matsuyama city in…

京浜にけ / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Kitagawa village "Monet's Garden" Marmottan

The only garden outside France officially authorized to use the name, this site replicates Claude Monet’s Giverny landscapes. It features water lilies, a Mediterranean garden, and a floral studio.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 4.0

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44 Daihō-ji

Situated at an elevation of 560 meters, this is the 44th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage. It is nestled within a dense forest of ancient cedar and cypress trees.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

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Shikoku Mura

Shikoku Mura is an open-air architectural park in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.

上野彦馬写真館にて井上俊三が撮影。 / Public domain

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Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial museum

The Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum opened in the grounds of the former Urado Castle in Katsurahama, Kōchi, Japan on 15 November 1991.

r18 INO (PACHIMO) / CC BY 3.0

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Kochi Ryoma Airport

Kōchi Airport, also known as Kōchi Ryōma Airport, is a regional airport in Nankoku, a city in Kōchi Prefecture of Japan.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Ozu Castle

Ōzu Castle, also known as Jizōgatake Castle, is a castle located in Ōzu, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Shoichi Masuhara さん / CC BY 2.0

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高知県立のいち動物公園

A spacious zoo designed with naturalistic enclosures mimicking native habitats. It features specialized zones for African savanna species, tropical rainforest animals, and a large lemur exhibit.

ROmas / Public domain

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New Yashima Aquarium

A mountain-top facility located 300 meters above sea level on the Yashima plateau. It is one of the few aquariums in Japan to house West Indian manatees.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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84 Yashima-ji

Yashima-ji is a Shingon temple in Yashima, a lava plateau to the northeast of Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.

史永健 / CC-BY-SA

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23 Yakuo-ji

Yakuo-ji or Yakuō-ji is a Koyasan Shingon temple in Minami, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.

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第59番札所伊予国分寺 (Iyo Kokubun-ji)

The 59th temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, originally established in the 8th century. The grounds contain a historic bell tower and a main hall dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai.

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45 Iwaya-ji

The 45th temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, notable for being built directly into a massive conglomerate rock cliff. Pilgrims can climb steep ladders to reach meditation spots in the rock face.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

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Chikurinji Temple (Temple 31)

Chikurin-ji is a Shingon temple in Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Temple 31 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage, the main image is of Monju…

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 3.0

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29 Kokubun-ji

Tosa Kokubun-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Nankoku, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 29th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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32 Zenjibu-ji

Zenjibu-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Nankoku, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 32nd temple of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 4.0

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35 Kiyotaki-ji

Kiyotaki-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Tosa, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 35th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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33 Sekkei-ji

Sekkei-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Kōchi, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 33rd temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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34 Tanema-ji

Tanema-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Kōchi, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 34th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 4.0

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28 Dainichi-ji

Dainichi-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Kōnan, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 28th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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27 Kōnomine-ji

Kōnomine-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Yasuda, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 27th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 3.0

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25 Shinsho-ji

Shinshō-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Muroto, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 25th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 3.0

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24 Hotsumisaki-ji

Hotsumisaki-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Muroto, Kōchi, Japan.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

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26 Kongōchō-ji

Kongōchō-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Muroto, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 26th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 4.0

37 Iwamoto-ji

Iwamoto-ji is a Chisan Shingon temple in Shimanto, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 4.0

40 Kanjizai-ji

Kanjizaiji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Ainan-cho, Minamiuwa District, Ehime, Japan.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

42 Butsumoku-ji

The 42nd temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, featuring a rare thatched-roof bell tower. It is traditionally associated with the protection of livestock and domestic animals.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

39 Enkō-ji

Enkōji is a Chisan Shingon temple in Sukumo, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Temple 39 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage, the main image is of…

Dokudami / CC BY-SA 4.0

36 Shōryū-ji

Shōryū-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Tosa, Kōchi, Japan.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

41 (Ryuko-ji

The 41st temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage, distinguished by its architectural blend of Buddhist and Shinto elements, reflecting the historical syncretism of the two religions.

Navian / Public domain

Chikanaga

Chikanaga Station is a railway station on the Yodo Line in Kihoku, Kitauwa District, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Bakkai / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Izume

Izume Station is a railway station on the Yodo Line in Kihoku, Kitauwa District, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Rsa / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Iyo-Miyanoshita

Iyo-Miyanoshita Station is a passenger railway station located in the city of Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Rsa / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Yoshinobu

Yoshinobu Station is a passenger railway station located in the town of Matsuno, Kitauwa District, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Navian / Public domain

Fukata

Fukata Station is a railway station on the Yodo Line in Kihoku, Kitauwa District, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Rsa / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Muden

Muden Station is a passenger railway station in the city of Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Navian / Public domain

Futana

Futana Station is a passenger railway station located in the city of Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Navian / Public domain

Ōuchi

Ōuchi Station is a passenger railway station located in the city of Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bekkaku05 Daizen-ji

The 5th temple of the Shikoku Bekkaku 20 pilgrimage. Located on a hill overlooking Susaki Bay, it offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

京浜にけ / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ekawasaki

Ekawasaki Station is a railway station in Nishitosaekawasaki, Shimanto-shi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.

Navian / Public domain

Hage

Hage Station is a railway station in Nishitosahage, Shimanto-shi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan.

Bakkai / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Tōkawa

Tōkawa Station is a passenger railway station located in the town of Shimanto, Takaoka District, Kōchi, Japan.

Navian / Public domain

手結港可動橋

A single-leaf bascule bridge in Konan that rises to a 70-degree angle for seven hours a day. The vertical structure is a local landmark for its unusual appearance when open.

r18 INO (PACHIMO) / CC BY 3.0

Murotozaki Lighthouse

A historic white iron lighthouse built in 1899 at Cape Muroto. It houses one of Japan's largest Fresnel lenses, with a light range extending 49 kilometers across the Pacific.

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Sacred Temples and Shrines Castles and Historic Sites Scenic Views and Natural Wonders