"Why We Went To Shikoku (and Shodo) Islands" Shikoku by dancinbudgie

Shikoku Travel Guide: 22 reviews and 67 photos

Not one of the 88...but interesting huh?

The 88 Temple Pilgrimage

Update: Have just found the website for the 88 temple pilgrimage, and also one for Shikoku in general.
www.shikokuhenrotrail.com/
www.wel-shikoku.gr.jp/eng/index.htm

Not too long ago, here in Newcastle, Australia, we went to a Japanese restaurant (yes, we have them here in Newcastle- quite good too). I was chatting with one of the waiters who had come from Japan. When he found out that we had visited there, he was keen to know which cities. On discovering that we had been to Shikoku, but not Osaka, ( Osaka was his home town by the way), he fell about laughing, called the guys from the kitchen and told them, who fell about laughing, and asked us what on earth we were thinking! Almost the exact same question was asked of us in Shikoku, down in Uwajima. A Japanese shop-girl that we were talking to asked in a tone that sceamed confusion and disbelief, "but why did you come HERE?"
We went to Shikoku for many reasons. First of all, I wanted to get off the traditional 'tourist' path and see if we could find a bit of 'old' Japan. Before 1986, the main way of getting to Shikoku was by ferry, and while it has since been linked to the mainland by 3 different bridges (including the Seto-ohashi), and soI thought that we might get a more 'culturally authentic' (such snobbery!) experience than that found on the regular tourist route.
I had read about the 88 Temple Pilgrimage, and it sounded interesting. It traditionally starts at Koya-san before coming to Shikoku. The pilgrimmage is completed by about 100 000 people each year. It is done in honour of the founder of Shingon Buddhism 'Kukai' who was born in Shikoku, and who visited the 88 temples back in the 9th century. He helped to make buddhism part of Japanese life and was also the person who invented kana syllabary.

We Were Homesick

Katsurahama Beach, Kochi

We were at the tail end of a month long Japanese holiday and were getting quite homesick, especially for the sight of a beach, which is never out of view for long back home. I had heard that there was a nice beach in Kochi, and thought that it would make for a nice day-trip.
I also thought that, being a smaller island there would be less of the husstle and bustle of the other cities we had visited, and that we could all slow down and relax for a while.

The Inland Sea

View of Inland Sea

I also had wanted to take a look at the inland sea, and as we were already in Miyajima, it just seemed like a good idea to take a ferry across to Shikoku and view the sea en-route.
There are also a number of smaller islands surrounding Shikoku that we thought would be interesting to visit, including Shodo Island, which has a miniature version of the 88 temple pilgrimage.

Last visit to Shikoku: Apr 2007
Intro Updated Mar 5, 2008
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Reviews (10)

Uwajima-jo Things to Do (10)

Uwajima-jo is a tiny little castle in the middle of Uwajima. It is only 3 stories high, but as it is on top of a hill... more travel advice

Takamatsu...Ritsurin Park Things to Do (10)

This is a really lovely park and was begun in the mid 1600's. it is not one of Japan's famous 'three', but i think it is... more travel advice

Yashima Plateau Things to Do (10)

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Taga-Jinja & Sex Museum Things to Do (10)

The Taga-jinja is a Shinto fertility shrine. There are a number of 'fertility' type statues in the garden, which is... more travel advice

Comments (4)

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Rabbityama Jul 26, 2009 at 8:47 PM

I would love to see more of Shikoku. I've only been to Takamatsu and Sakaide! Osaka is so overrated anyway! Places like Shikoku are where true Japanese culture and natural beauty are found!
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septem May 1, 2009 at 2:02 AM

Lovely pages and photos. Juliana
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Melbournite Jul 30, 2008 at 5:59 AM

Hi dancinbudgie. Love your Shikoku pix and comments. I'm not sure whether there is much to do in Shikoku without a car, if we're just there for a couple of days?? Whaddyareckon? Thanks! Melbournite
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Nemorino Mar 2, 2008 at 6:23 AM

Interesting new page about a place I had never heard of before. Traveling with children in Japan must have been challenging -- I know it was for us in Greece when our children were small.