The Mountainous Beauty of Shikoku Island
Friday, December 28, 2007
Shikoku island is the fourth largest, but the least visited of Japan’s main islands. A more rural character than that found in much of Honshu is the thing that Shikoku offers. Shikoku renowned domestically for its large numbers for its 88-temple circuit –Hachiju-hakkasho, but unfortunately it sees fewer foreign tourists than any other region of Japan.
The name Shikoku itself stems from the four historic provinces of Tosa, Sanuki, Iyo, and Awa, who have their modern inheritors in the prefectures of Kochi, Ehime, Kagawa, and Tokushima respectively. The principal cities of the region which also serve as convenient tourist centers: Takamatsu, Kochi, Matsuyama, and Tokushima, are the prefectural capitals. Other cities like Marugame, Uwajima, and Kotohira have their own attractions for tourists, but the charm thing which the island offers is in the mountainous countryside.
If you seek an extended stay, the 88-temple pilgrimage is probably the island’s greatest attraction. In the older days, pilgrimage naturally is most properly pursued on foot, for which one should allow for one to two months. But nowadays, some modern pilgrims often choose to go by bicycle or car, because they tend not to spend such an extensive time in the region. They may choose to base themselves in the cities, which have more option to have occasion to jaunt the surrounding areas.
Many of the island’s rural attractions are best visited with private transportation, although train service runs to most cities. You can visit one of them such like the Iya Valley which located west of Tokushima. It’s well-known for the traditional folk architecture and vine bridges. Despite the mountainous terrain, Shikoku is considered one of Japan’s best areas for cycling.
Labels: japan
posted by Daniy @ 7:09 AM,
