It also has high mountains and steep slopes, which limit habitability. The island is divided into the prefectures of Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima. Shikoku, island, the smallest of the four main islands of Japan. The city is small and friendly, with a casual atmosphere and a dose of southern flair. Shikoku is best known for its pilgrimage routes, and it is well worth trying at least a part of one route and seeing some of the 88 sacred temples (and many other temples) that are dotted all over this green island. The local chicken is called Awa Odori chicken, named after the Awa Odori festival, and it was the most shipped poultry in Japan in 2016. Shikoku | Kochi Prefecture. Tokushima Prefecture also has its annual Awa Odori running in August at the time of the Obon festival, which attracts thousands of tourists each year from all over Japan and from abroad. The Shikoku and Shiba Inu are very similar in appearance - the main difference being size. As a result, yuzu, mikan and other citrus fruits are plentiful on Shikoku and have become synonymous with the regions they are grown in. Sakamoto Ryoma Industrialists and Inventors. Mountains running east and west divide Shikoku into a narrow northern subregion, fronting on the Seto Inland Sea, and a southern part facing the Pacific Ocean. Drooling tendency: The Shikoku dog drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. ui-pin-hamburger. Kochi Castle. Kukai was a Buddhist monk, born in Shikoku, known for founding the Shingon and credited for establishing the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Shikoku is well-known amongst the Japanese for what it does not have: top-division teams for the nation's premier sports of baseball, soccer and rugby; and volcanoes. This isn’t popular for most foreigners, however, which is why it doesn’t feature prominently in this Shikoku travel guide. It's known for its abundant nature and pristine rivers, including the Shimanto River in Shimanto nicknamed the "last clearwater river in Japan" and the Yoshino River whose turbulent rapids make for great rafting. Gardens, Parks. Second smallest of the four main islands of Japan, This article is about the island. It runs 196 km (121.8 mi) from its source close to Mount Ishizuchi, flowing basically west to east across the northern boundaries of Kōchi and Tokushima Prefectures, reaching the sea at the city of Tokushima. Moving on to Kochi, a famous dish that you have to try in the area is Katsuo no … By population, it ranks 23rd, having fewer inhabitants than Sicily or Singapore, but more than Puerto Rico or Negros. (“About Shikoku | Tourism Shikoku.”). Ritsurin garden in Takamatsu, on Japan's Shikoku Island. Due to the island’s mountainous geography, the four provinces were fairly isolated from each other, giving rise to a unique local food culture in each area. The pulp and paper industry took advantage of the abundant forests and hydroelectric power. Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park is located in the south-western part of Shikoku. Shikoku's special custom of pilgrimage—and the hospitality that goes with it—has quickly been extended to the many people interested from other countries. Surprisingly, Japan’s industrial revolution made an early start in Shikoku, driven by the far-sighted vision of ambitious samurai. Spend 1-2 days of your Shikoku itinerary in Ehime Prefecture [3] Shikoku's ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima (伊予之二名島), Iyo-shima (伊予島), and Futana-shima (二名島), and its current name refers to the four former provinces that made up the island: Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo.[4]. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The 50th largest island by area in the world, Shikoku is smaller than Sardinia and Bananal, but larger than Halmahera and Seram. A Japanese Buddhist monk, he was also known for being a scholar, an engineer, an artist, and a poet. Read about itineraries, activities, places to stay and travel essentials and get inspiration from the blog in the best guide to Shikoku. It … Shikoku is the second-smallest main island after Okinawa. Shikoku is far enough off the beaten track that some Japanese ability, while not absolutely necessary, will come in handy. Hence, this article is all about the best 14 yummy delights that you can find in the Shikoku region. shikoku inu breed Origin of Shikoku Inu. [2] It is 225 km or 139.8 mi long and between 50 and 150 km or 31.1 and 93.2 mi wide. Ritsurin is a 400-year-old daimyo garden in Kagawa Prefecture's capital city, Takamatsu. Shikoku has a subtropical climate with short mild winters and long hot summers. At 1982m, Ishizuchi-san (石鎚山) is known as 'the roof of Shikoku' and is the highest peak in western Japan. The Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) serves the island and connects to Honshu via the Great Seto Bridge. The island lies south of Honshu and east of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Strait.A bridge connects it to Honshu. Most of the 3.8 million inhabitants live in the north, and all but one of the island's few larger cities are located there. Stay informed! The prefectural capital and most populated city of Kochi Prefecture, Japan. It has a population of 3.8 million (as of 2015 , 3.1%). Much of the island’s landscape is mountainous, and the population is concentrated in urban areas on narrow plains along the coast. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. A form of traditional sweet in the Kagawa prefecture, … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Terraced farmland on the island of Shikoku, western Japan. The birthplace of revered ascetic and founder of the Shingon Buddhist sect Kōbō Daishi (774–835), Shikoku (四国) is synonymous with natural beauty and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. According to legend, the monk would still appear to pilgrims today. Ferries link Shikoku to destinations including Honshu, Kyushu, and islands around Shikoku. Shikoku is a primarily agricultural island, renowned for its citrus fruits. At the age of 22, Kūkai gained an interest in Buddhism and become a monk. These first five destinations can all be found in and around Kochi City. As the last temple of the Shikoku henro circuit, Okuboji (おおくぼじ, 大窪寺) is located at the base of Mount Nyotai. The island is also rich in cultural heritage. [6], Mount Ishizuchi is the highest mountain in Shikoku, Cape Ashizuri is at the southernmost tip of Shikoku. Shikoku (四国, literally "four countries") is Japan's fourth largest island, southwest of Japan's main island Honshu. The freer movement between Honshu and Shikoku was expected to promote economic development on both sides of the bridges, which has not materialized yet. region, (2010) 3,977,282. Corrections? They are also highly agile and athletic dogs. The ~ is a Japanese purebred dog that is similar to a Shiba Inu. Shikoku is one of Japan’s four main islands and is full of charm. But, while he is known throughout the country, the focus of hommage to him is located on the island of his birth — Shikoku. Industries produce petroleum, nonferrous metals, textiles, wood pulp, and paper. What is Shikoku known for? Born in Shikoku in 774, Kūkai was a man of many talents. Some played only local roles, never becoming known outside their island, but many had a national and even a global impact. Ultimately it was the Hongawa Shikoku that was to have the most influence on the direction of the breed as we know it today. 10km south is the city of Tokushima which is famous for the annual Awa Odori festival. Fishing is well developed, and salt is produced from evaporated seawater. share; tweet; Some of the photos provided by AFLO The rates posted on this site are subject to change. [ANA official] Relaxing Shikoku.This area is rich in nature, surrounded by the sea and mountains, and you can enjoy various attractions in each season. They would gel well with all owners but would be specially attached to the primary owner. It is 225 km or 139.8 mi long and between 50 and 150 km or 31.1 and 93.2 mi wide. The Yoshino is famous for Japan's best white-water rafting, with trips going along the Oboke Koboke sections of the river. (“About Shikoku | Tourism Shikoku.”). The nearby Dogo Onsen (hot spring) is the oldest and one of the most popular in Japan. The name “Shikoku”, meaning “four provinces”, refers to its four prefectures—Tokushima, Kagawa, Kochi, and Ehime. Shikoku is the smallest of the four main island in the Japanese Archipelago. The city is the setting of Natsume Soseki's famous 1906 novel Botchan.The city's castle was built in 1603 and remains one of the best preserved in Japan. Shikoku island, comprising Shikoku and its surrounding islets, covers about 18,800 square kilometres (7,259 sq mi) and consists of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima. Kūkai (posthumously known as Kōbō-Daishi) is the founder of Shingon Buddhism. A Japanese Buddhist monk, he was also known for being a scholar, an engineer, an artist, and a poet. )", Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "Timescale of magma chamber processes revealed by U-Pb ages, trace element contents and morphology of zircons from the Ishizuchi caldera, Southwest Japan Arc", "Japan's Miracle Takes Darts World by Storm", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shikoku&oldid=996184254, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from July 2007, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2015, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Library of Congress Country Studies, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 00:43. Shikoku is famous for its 88 temple pilgrimage associated with the priest Kūkai and … Kochi boasts several attractions of interest to travelers. A thin slice of kamaboko, a halfmoon-shaped fish cake, is often added. To be sure, since Shikoku is the least populous of Japan's main islands in addition to … Here are some places to check out if you go: Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Shikoku, Japan on Tripadvisor: See 67,281 traveler reviews and photos of Shikoku tourist attractions. While the maximum size for a Shiba Inu is about 25 pounds and 17" tall - the Shikoku can weight up to 55 pounds and have a height of 22". See more ideas about Shikoku, Wolf dog, Japanese dogs. Shikoku's ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima (伊予之二名島), Iyo-shima (伊予島), and Futana-shima (二名島), and its current name refers to the four former provinces that made up the island: Therefore, the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway carries a large traffic volume. Shikoku dogs are also known to rush, chase and kill small pets due to their instincts. Across the Seto Inland Sea lie Wakayama, Osaka, Hyōgo, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi Prefectures on Honshu. Until completion of the bridges, the region was isolated from the rest of Japan. Most modern-day pilgrims travel by bus, rarely choosing the old-fashioned method of going by foot. Two crops of rice can be cultivated annually in the southern area. Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four main islands. [9] Udon is often served hot as a noodle soup in its simplest form, as kake udon, in a mildly flavoured broth called kakejiru, which is made of dashi, soy sauce (shōyu), and mirin. This dog is often confused for a Shiba Inu or a smaller version of the Akita, but after reading this article, you'll learn the key differences between these Spitz breeds. Get tips and exclusive deals. The garden is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan. Omissions? Shikoku Inu are known for their loyalty. Shikoku has historically been rather isolated and therefore it has kept the original characteristics of Japan for a longer period, especially in regards to vegetation and some architectural techniques. Besides being the last leg of the pilgrimage journey, Okuboji is also a popular autumn foliage viewing spot because of the famous ginko and numerous maple trees. Shikoku (四国, literally "four provinces") is one of the five main islands of Japan. Industry is moderately well developed and includes the processing of ores from the important Besshi copper mine. It is separated from Honshu by the Inland Sea (north) and the Kii Strait (east) and from Kyushu by the Bungo Strait (west). Shikoku dogs are quite loyal to their owners. Plan your visit to Shikoku, Japan: find out where to go and what to do in Shikoku with Rough Guides. What are the islands of the Maldives made of? Many highway buses are operated between Kansai and Tokushima Prefecture. Shikoku is also one of the country’s chihō (regions), which includes, in addition to the main island, nearby islands associated with its constituent prefectures. The capital city—also called Kochi—is relatively small, but filled with country charm, hospitality, and iconic streetcars. The old names are still used sometimes, especially for foods, music, or art. Its name can serve as an indication to know that the shikoku inu is a breed of Japanese origin. Shikoku is famous for its temple pilgrimage route but besides that there are some local delights here that you shouldn't miss if you ever have the chance to visit this region. Kūkai (空海), also known as Kōbō Daishi (弘法大師), 774-835, is a Buddhist monk born in Shikoku, and who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. It is usually topped with thinly chopped scallions. The island's northernmost point is in Takamatsu, Kagawa. Shikoku (四国) is the smallest of Japan's four main islands. I know that Shikoku continues to call me, and I will be going back. Explore region Shikoku. These include Routes 11, 32, 33, 55, and 56. Pioneering natural farmer Masanobu Fukuoka, author of The One-Straw Revolution, developed his methods here on his family's farm. Among Japanese, Shikoku is primarily known for the 88-temple junrei pilgrimage trail. Agriculture is intensive in the north; rice, barley, wheat, and mandarin oranges are among the major crops. But this island, known for its natural beauty and famous Buddhist pilgrimage, is well worth the detour. That was by walking. Strangers are generally treated with suspicion and aloofness but a Shikoku Inu is unlikely to be aggressive if well trained. Eight of the eighty-eight temples in the Shikoku Pilgrimage are in Matsuyama. The route is about 1500 kilometres long, so it may take some time. This explains why ‘Shikoku’ is written with the kanji for ‘four countries’, since domains used to be called countries. The city is known for its hot springs , among the oldest in Japan, and is home to the Dōgo Onsen Honkan, a Meiji Period wooden public bathhouse dating from 1894. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Try the local food. Health Issues: Shikoku dogs tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. It is still, in the 21st century, considered perfectly acceptable to have a conversation with a Buddhist monk that died in the early 9th century. Take a soothing trip through Japan’s natural scenery and unique culture. [10]. A well preserved, original hilltop castle from the … Tokushima is also known … Kūkai (posthumously known as Kōbō-Daishi) is the founder of Shingon Buddhism. This one-of-a-kind spiritual journey takes pilgrims through 88 temples scattered throughout Shikoku's four prefectures, and is a great way to dive deep into an often overlooked part of … Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It is believed that the founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan, Kobo Daishi (otherwise known as Kukai, 774-835), trained or spent time at these temples so it is in his footsteps that the route follows. [2][4] The largest city is Matsuyama (population: 509,835) and is the capital of Ehime Prefecture. JR lines include: Private railway lines operate in each of the four prefectures on Shikoku. Kochi (高知, Kōchi) is the capital of Kochi Prefecture on the southern coast of Shikoku.The city is small and friendly, with a casual atmosphere and a dose of southern flair. Shikoku is actually known for its 88 temple pilgrimage, which attracts Buddhists from all over the world who journey by foot to pay respect at each of the sites. Updates? Within the island, a web of national highways connects the major population centers. The bridge connects Sakaide, Kagawa prefecture, Shikoku, to Kojima, Okayama prefecture. While people might think of okonomiyaki when I mention Osaka, and matcha when I mention Kyoto, the island of Shikoku is an area where famous local foods do not come to mind so easily. All of these airports have flights to Tokyo and other major Japanese cities such as Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka. Shikoku is the second-smallest main island after Okinawa. The major river in Shikoku is the Yoshino River. It's home to the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku, Japan's most famous pilgrimage. Land is used intensively. Cutting through the centre of the island is the mighty Yoshino river whose clear waters and big turbulent rapids make for great rafting. The pilgrimage used to last 40 to 50 days based on transportation. Join us as we head off to the charming island of Shikoku, rich with nature, history, indigenous culture and cuisine! Katsuo no Tataki【Kochi】 ayustety/Flickr. It is south of Honshu and northeast of Kyushu. Here we look at the people whose activity has made Shikoku what it is today. Shikoku dog Temperament . Relatively undiscovered, this prefecture formerly known as Sanuki offers up a marvellous mix of old and new, plus a burgeoning arts scene and one of … , … Katsuo no Tataki【Kochi】 ayustety/Flickr square miles ( 18,292 square km ) than Puerto or... S 4 prefectures–Kagawa, Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime–has a variety of foods to! For seasoning grilled what is shikoku known for and other major Japanese cities such as Osaka, Hyōgo, Prefecture... A stunning landscape of idyllic ponds, wooden bridges and expansive greenery Shiba Inu Tokushima which is famous for natural... Also produces many pulp, paper and chemical products 7,063 square miles ( 18,802 square km ) around island! Waters and big turbulent rapids make for great rafting 6,503 ft ) is the capital Ehime... Prefecture, Shikoku is one of the Seto great Bridge, Honshu, Kyushu, a. 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Is similar to a Shiba Inu, Kochi, Ehime–has a variety of foods famous to the Sacred!
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