As the world slowly re-opens post-pandemic, the desire to discover new lands and experiences is at an all-time high. Our travel series seeks to inspire you with unique travel options and itineraries worldwide, spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and beyond. This week we take a closer look at the Shikoku region of Japan, a beautiful, scenic area where one can enjoy a spectrum of leisure and outdoor activities.

The Shikoku Region has been ranked 6th in Lonely Planet’s top ten regions to travel to in 2022.

The region’s optimal mix of leisurely and active outdoor activities as well as an abundance of delectable local cuisine are key attractions for visitors. Though the smallest of Japan’s five major islands, scenic Shikoku is encircled by an 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage route and is bursting with diverse attractions including rich nature, delectable regional cuisine, and incredibly unique culture.

SCENERY

The countryside of Shikoku hides a wealth of inspiring foliage: travellers should stop in at Ritsurin Garden to take in the manicured trees and heart-shaped azaleas while sipping matcha and wandering the mountain paths. The best whitewater rafting in Japan can be found at the Yoshino river, which is both quiet and spirited in different sections, making it ideal for visitors of all ages and experience levels.

FOOD

Foodies visiting Shikoku should make time to include a trip to Kagawa prefecture on their itinerary. In Japan's capital of udon noodles, you can hire an Udon Taxi, driven by an udon specialist, to whisk you from the airport to select udon restaurants. Also in Kagawa is Sanuki Olive Wagyu. This olive-fed beef is the rarest brand of Wagyu and the highest in oleic acid and umami. In Ehime, the beef, chicken and even the fish are fed mikan oranges for a completely different flavour profile and polyphenolic quality.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Shikoku also boasts some truly unique experiences and destinations unlike any other in Japan. The remote mountain towns of Tokushima prefecture serve as the perfect locale for a farm stay in a thatch-roofed house. Devotees of the bizarre will fall in love with the village of Nagoro, which is steadily replacing its emigrating population with life-sized dolls. Naoshima, Kagawa’s “Art Island”, is a creative refuge of open-air exhibits, galleries, gardens, and contemporary art museums where you can enjoy the works of Yayoi Kusama and Christian Boltanski right on the shore. Should you wish to feed your soul, consider walking in the footsteps of 9th Century Shingon Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi by taking your own Shikoku Pilgrimage around the famous 1400km temple route.

Blending a traditional spirit and historic character with pockets of undisturbed nature and novel cultural attractions, Shikoku is a dynamic destination that Canadians will enjoy visiting and returning to again and again. Learn more about the vast array of culture, exhilaration and flavours of Shikoku here!

Photos courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)