Shikoku is an area consisting of Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi prefectures, and is characterized by the fact that the islands are surrounded by the sea on all sides, with countless islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea.
The Sanuki Mountains and the Shikoku Mountains run through the center of Shikoku, and the climate differs greatly between the northern and southern parts of the country. Kagawa and Ehime prefectures in the north have a Seto Inland Sea style climate, with summer monsoons blocked by the Shikoku Mountains and winter monsoons blocked by the Chugoku Mountains, resulting in a stable climate throughout the year with little precipitation.
Tokushima and Kochi prefectures, located to the south, have a Pacific Ocean-side climate, characterized by a large climatic gap depending on the season: hot and humid with frequent rainfall in summer and dry with little rainfall in winter.
The Shikoku area is particularly well known throughout Japan for the "Ohenro" pilgrimage to the 88 sacred sites opened by Kobo Daishi, and is still known as an area where many people go on pilgrimage trips. In the tourism area, events such as the Awa Odori Dance and Yosakoi Festival, as well as gourmet foods such as mandarin oranges and other citrus fruits, and seafood from the excellent fishing grounds of the Seto Inland Sea, are popular.
Major tourist attractions include the Oku-Iya Niju Kazura Bridge in Tokushima Prefecture, Angel Road in Kagawa Prefecture, Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture, and Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture.
The Oku-Iya Double Tortoise Bridge in Tokushima Prefecture spans the Coarse Valley River in Miyoshi City. The Oku-Iya Kazura Bridge is characterized by its traditional suspension bridge, which was built using Sarunashi and other vines, using techniques handed down from generation to generation. There is also a human-powered ropeway nearby, making it a popular spot for many tourists.
Kagawa Prefecture's Angel Road is a sandy beach path leading from Bentenjima to Nakayojima, Koyojima, and Oyoshima that appears twice a day only at low tide. It is said that if you cross the road holding hands with your loved one, your wish will come true, making the road a popular tourist spot for many couples.
Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture was built in 1602 by Yoshiaki Kato, a son of Hideyoshi Toyotomi and a military commander from the Azuchi-Momoyama to Edo periods. Matsuyama Castle has 21 important cultural properties, among which the main keep is the last complete castle structure of the Edo period and is known as a castle of high historical value, as it is the only one of the 12 existing keeps with the hollyhock crest on its roof tiles.
Today, Matsuyama Castle is equipped with a ropeway and other facilities, and is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Ehime Prefecture.
Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture is designated as the Muroto Anan Kaigan National Park and a national scenic beauty spot. The Cape Muroto Lighthouse, one of the 50 best lighthouses in Japan, is located on the cape and boasts the longest reach of light in Japan, about 49 km. Since Cape Muroto is not a busy tourist spot, it is a good spot for those who want to enjoy the natural scenery.
The Otsuka Museum of Art is a unique art museum in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, where masterpieces from around the world are reproduced as full-scale ceramic tile artworks. With 1,074 permanent exhibits and one of the largest exhibition spaces in Japan, the museum offers visitors an extraordinary opportunity to explore the history of world art in one place. More than 190 famous artworks from 25 ...»
Uzunomichi, or the Onaruto Bridge Promenade, is a unique sightseeing attraction in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, where visitors can observe the famous Naruto whirlpools from approximately 45 meters above the sea. Built beneath the roadway of the Onaruto Bridge, this elevated walkway offers an unforgettable combination of dramatic ocean scenery, impressive engineering, and one of Japan's most fasci...»
Ryōzenji Temple, officially known as Jikuwazan Ryōzenji, is a historic Buddhist temple in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. It is famous as Temple No. 1 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, one of Japan's most celebrated Buddhist pilgrimage routes. For many pilgrims, visiting Ryōzenji marks the beginning of a spiritual journey around the island of Shikoku. The temple belongs to the Koyasan Shing...»
Naruto Park is a scenic natural park in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, forming part of Setonaikai National Park. Famous for its sweeping views of the Onaruto Bridge and the Naruto Strait, the park is one of the region's most popular sightseeing destinations. Located on the northeastern tip of Ōge Island in the Tosadomariura area of Naruto Town, it offers beautiful coastal scenery throughout th...»
Tokushima Zoo is a major zoological attraction in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, and one of the largest zoos in Shikoku. It opened in April 1998 as part of Tokushima City General Botanical and Zoological Park, a spacious complex that brings together a zoo, botanical garden, and amusement park. Surrounded by greenery, the park offers a full day of family-friendly activities and opportunities...»
Konsenji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Itano Town, Itano District, Tokushima Prefecture. It belongs to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism and is the third temple on the famous Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, a sacred route followed by pilgrims visiting temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). The temple's full name is Kiko-zan Shakain, and its principal image is ...»
Kanjō-ga-taki Waterfall is a spectacular natural attraction in Kamikatsu Town, Tokushima Prefecture. Located along the Sekigatani River, the waterfall plunges approximately 80 meters through a mountainous landscape, creating an atmosphere of quiet beauty and mystery. It has been selected as one of the Tokushima Mizu Kikō 50, a collection highlighting 50 notable water-related destinations in Tokush...»
Awa Kokubunji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Yano, Kokufu-cho, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Belonging to the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism, it is also known by the names Yakōzan and Konjiki-in. The temple's principal image is Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing and Medicine, and it serves as the 15th temple on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, one of Japan's most celebrat...»
Asutamu Land Tokushima is a science museum and expansive recreational park in Itano Town, Itano District, Tokushima Prefecture. Officially known as Tokushima Prefectural Asutamu Land, it opened on July 1, 2001, with the aim of bringing science, technology, and the natural environment together. Designed especially with children and families in mind, the park offers interactive exhibitions, outdoor ...»
Jigenji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school, located in Kamikatsu Town, Katsuura District, Tokushima Prefecture. Its full name is Getsuchōzan Hōju-in Jigenji, and its principal image is the Eleven-Headed Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. The temple serves as the inner sanctuary associated with Temple No. 20 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage and is also Temple ...»
Mount Bizan is a beloved landmark in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, rising to approximately 290 meters above sea level. Its name, meaning “Eyebrow Mountain,” comes from its distinctive shape, which resembles an eyebrow when viewed from different directions. The mountain is so closely associated with local identity that it appears in the school songs of many schools throughout Tokushima. Mo...»
Shōsanji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school located in Kamiyama Town, Myōzai District, Tokushima Prefecture. Known formally as Marozan Shōju-in, it is the 12th temple on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, one of Japan's most renowned Buddhist pilgrimage routes. Its principal deity is Kokūzō Bosatsu, the bodhisattva associated with wisdom and memory. Set deep in the mountains...»
Bizan Park is a scenic urban park on Mount Bizan in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Surrounded by the mountain's natural beauty, the park combines panoramic viewpoints, historical monuments, and cultural attractions. It officially opened on March 31, 1958, and is widely known as one of Tokushima's best destinations for cherry blossom viewing and spectacular nighttime scenery. Whether you vi...»
Kakurinji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Katsura Town, Tokushima Prefecture. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism, it is the 20th temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, a renowned route that takes pilgrims around the island of Shikoku to visit 88 sacred Buddhist sites. The temple's full name is Ryōjusān Hōshuin Kakurinji, and its principal object of worship is ...»
The Hyōtan-jima Island Sightseeing Cruise, also known as the Hyōtan-jima Cruise, is a popular boat tour around a small island in the heart of Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Surrounded by rivers and waterways, this distinctive urban landscape offers visitors a fresh perspective on the city, with views of bridges, waterfront parks, historic landmarks, and the surrounding mountains. Tokushima...»
Amagoi Falls is a magnificent waterfall in Kamiyama Town, Myōzai District, Tokushima Prefecture. Known for its dramatic cascades, lush mountain scenery, and fascinating local legends, it is one of the region's most memorable natural attractions. The waterfall has been selected for several prestigious scenic collections, including Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls, the 88 Scenic Waterside Sites of Shikoku...»
Tokushima Prefectural Kamiyama Forest Park Il Rosa no Mori is a spacious nature park on Mount Nishi-Ryūō in Kamiyama Town, Myōzai District, Tokushima Prefecture. Surrounded by lush woodland, the park offers visitors an opportunity to experience the changing beauty of Japan's four seasons while enjoying outdoor recreation, scenic viewpoints, and nature-based activities. The park has been selected ...»
Former Tokushima Castle Omote Goten Garden is a traditional Japanese garden located within Tokushima Central Park in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Also known as Senshūkaku Garden, it was created in the early Edo period and is celebrated for its elegant combination of dry landscape gardening and a pond garden designed for strolling. Its bold stone arrangements reflect the Momoyama style, bl...»
The Bizan Ropeway is a municipal aerial cableway that connects central Tokushima City with Mount Bizan, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The short ride offers sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside, making it a popular attraction for visitors who want to appreciate Tokushima from above. The view from the ropeway has been selected as one of the 88 Scenic Views of Shik...»
Escahill Naruto is an observation facility located in Naruto Park in Tosadomariura, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. Its distinctive feature is a long, enclosed escalator that carries visitors up Mount Naruto to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Naruto Strait and the Great Naruto Bridge. Combining an unusual ride with panoramic coastal scenery, Escahill Naruto is a convenient stop for tra...»
Gokurakuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, and the second temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, one of Japan's best-known Buddhist pilgrimage routes. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism, its formal name is Nisshōzan Muryōjuin. The principal deity is Amida Nyorai, the Buddha associated with the Pure Land, a realm of enlightenment and ...»
Tokushima Castle was a historic Japanese castle located in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Although the original castle buildings no longer survive, the site remains an important cultural destination, with its stone walls, historic remains, and the elegant Omote Goten Garden offering glimpses into the region's feudal past. The castle ruins are designated a National Historic Site of Japan, w...»
Anazenjo is a limestone cave located within the grounds of Jigenji Temple in Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture. According to tradition, the cave was discovered by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), the Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Today, visitors can undertake a unique spiritual practice by making their way through approximately 100 meters of narrow cave passages guided only by candle...»
Dogakuji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Ishii Town, Tokushima Prefecture. Belonging to the Zentsuji branch of Shingon Buddhism, it is formally known as Tōmeizan Ōtani-in. The temple's principal deity is Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing. Dogakuji is the second temple on the Shikoku Beikaku 20 Sacred Sites Pilgrimage and the 11th temple on the Shikoku 36 Fudō Myōō Pilgrimage. It is es...»
Shōkokuji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school located in Hoshitani, Katsura Town, Tokushima Prefecture. Its principal deity is the Eleven-Headed Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The temple is known as the inner sanctuary of Tatsueji Temple, the 19th temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, and is also the seventh temple on the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage. Surroun...»
Jōrakuji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school located in Enmei, Kokufu Town, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Its full name is Seijuzan Enmeiin Jōrakuji, and its principal deity is Miroku Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of the Future Buddha. As the 14th temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, it welcomes pilgrims from across Japan and beyond. It is also unique among the 88 p...»
Tatsueji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school located in Tatsue Town, Komatsushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Known as the 19th temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, it is an important spiritual destination with a long history and a reputation as the “Great Barrier of Shikoku” and the “Gateway to Awa.” Its full name is Kyōchizan Maniin Tatsueji, and its principal deity ...»
Tokushima Prefectural Museum is located within Bunka no Mori Park, a cultural complex in Mukōterayama, Hachiman-chō, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Known as one of the facilities in the complex's four-museum building, it presents a wide-ranging collection of natural history and humanities materials related to Tokushima and the surrounding region. Its identifying color is light blue. The mu...»
Kannonji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kannonji, Kokufu-chō, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Belonging to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism, it is officially known as Kōyōzan Senjuin Kannonji. The temple is the 16th stop on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage and the 32nd temple on the eastern route of the Awa Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The principal deity is Senju Ka...»
Tokushima Central Park is a spacious urban park in the heart of Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, extending across Mount Shiroyama and the surrounding grounds of the former Tokushima Castle. Located just north of Tokushima Station, the park combines historical castle ruins, peaceful gardens, open lawns, sports facilities, and woodland trails, making it a popular place for sightseeing, recreati...»
Located within Bunka-no-Mori General Park in Tokushima City, the Tokushima Modern Art Museum is a cultural destination where visitors can explore modern and contemporary art in a tranquil, nature-rich setting. Opened in 1990, the museum has built its collection around three principal themes: the human figure in 20th-century art, artists associated with Tokushima, and contemporary prints. Its desig...»
Tokushima City General Botanical and Zoological Park is a large recreational complex located in the Kataue and Shibuno districts of Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Covering approximately 58.9 hectares and developed at a total cost of ¥9.47 billion, the complex was completed in October 2006. It brings together three main attractions: a zoo, a botanical garden, and an amusement park. Recogniz...»