Japan Road Trip to Shikoku (Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, Tokushima)
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CONTENTS
Shikoku is the smallest island of Japan's four major islands.
Actually there are a lot of great spots in Shikoku,
but it seems there are not much information in foreign languages on the net.
Here we would like to share with you our road trip to Shikoku for your reference.
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Let's go!!
Road trip to Shikoku!!!
A. Naruto Strait (鳴門海峽)
B. Oboke Koboke (大歩危小步危)・Manneken-Pis (小便小僧 )
C. Hirome Market (弘人市場)
D. Shimanto River (四万十川)
E. Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉)
Start with Nissan Rental Car NOTE e-POWER
Matsuyama Store
Check the car
Nissan NOTE e-POWER is neat and sleek, suitable for trip of ladies!
It has a very large storage space and spacious seats, suitable for travel with family or large group!
It is also equipped with reversing navigating function. Much more easy to control for more people then!
>> Click for detail: Nissan Rent-a-car (English)
***
Nissan Rental Car
Matsuyama Store
OPEN HOUR: 8:00-20:00
Large capacity
Large space
Reversing navigation
1. Passport
2. International driver license
3. Car type you requested
4. Rental of Highway ETC card
(CLICK for details)
* Rent without reservation
* See the car your wanted is available
🚗Kagawa Prefecture (香川県)
Famous Udon Noodles in Kagawa
Popular Store
Delicious Udon
Go!
Kagawa Prefecture is known as the prefecture of largest production of Udon.
A udon shop first opened in 1914. Although it is a small and simple shop, it is pretty famous and has long queue always. More than 1000 visitors a day!
★ Yamagoe Udon （山越うどん)
602-2 Hayukakami, Ayagawa-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa, 761-2207
Map code: 228786652*67
Closed: Every Sunday
Official Homepage
Nakano Udon Noodle Restaurant Takamatsu School (中野うどん学校 高松校)
Entrance
Interesting Experience
Memorial Shot
As this is named Udon School,
after learning the technique and skills of making delicious udon,
we definitely are qualified to receive the certification
and have a memorial "graduation" shot!
★ Nakano Udon Noodle Restaurant Takamatsu School (中野うどん学校 高松校)
8 Nariaicho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-8081
087-885-3200
Map code: 60451078*51
Open Hour：09：00〜17：00
Open all year round
Reservation is required.
Workshop time: 40〜50 minutes
Workshop+tasting+Shopping：About 90 minutes
Official Homepage
Reservation Page
🚗Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県)
Naruto Strait is a strait between Awaji Island and Shikoku.
The bridge across is called Onaruto Bridge （大鳴門橋)
1629 meters long connecting Hyogo prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture.
It is selected as one of the Hundred beautiful spots in Japan! (日本百景)
Especially a famous feature of the strait is the Naruto whirlpools.
It is known as the Best 3 whirlpool in the world.
Get on to the cruise to check out the undersea of Naruto Strait
and feel the greatness of the whirlpool.
★ Naruto Strait (鳴門海峽)
Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053
Map Code：56689446*35
Official homepage of Naturo City Uzushio Tourist Association
★ Uzushio cruise （うずしお観潮船）
264-1 Oge, Naruto-cho Tosadomariura, Tokushima 7720053
Map Code: 406210244*22
Adult: 1,800 yen ; Child: 900 yen (30 minutes)
Open hour: 8:00- 17:00
Official Homepage
Oboke Gorge (大歩危)
They are the valleys located upstream of the Yoshino-gawa River in the western part of Tokushima.
They are narrow and steep.
The unusual natural shaped rock and sandstone create an beautiful and fascinating sight especially during cherry blossom season in spring and autumn foliage in fall.
Recommend you to take a boat trip down the river.
★ Oboke Kyo Mannaka (大歩危峡まんなか)
1520 Yamashirocho Nishiu, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima 779-5451
Map Code: 357151826*14
Boat Trip Business Hour: 9:00- 17:00
Price: Adult 1,080 yen ; Children (Elementary school) 540 yen
Time: about 30 minutes
Boat Trip Official Page
Iya (祖谷)
There is a suspension bridges called Kazurabashi of Iya.
To go across the river, the bridge is the only way to do it!
It is all made of vines about 45 meters long and 2 meters wide,
known as one of the scenic area in Tokushima.
See if you are brave enough to cross it!
★ Iya (祖谷)
162-2, Nishiiyayamamura Zentoku, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima 778-0102
Map Code: 357130582*52
Open Hour: From sunrise to sunset (7:00~ 17:00)
Price to cross the river: Adult 550 yen; Children 350 yen
Available all year around
Manneken-Pis at Iyakei Valley (小便小僧 )
A landmark of small bronze sculpture on the edge of the cliff of 200 meters height!
It has been built since 1968 and become sightseeing spots as introduced on TV.
★ Manneken-Pis at Iyakei Valley (小便小僧 )
Ikedacho Matsuo, Miyoshi, Tokushima 779-5165
Map Code: 357425452*00
For more related detail>> HERE
🚗Kochi Prefecture （高知県）
Hirome Market (弘人市場)
The largest market in Shikoku.
There are more than 60 shops and 40 are restaurants!
Wanna have Shikoku's taste?
You should come here!
The most recommended one is
grilled bonito (smoked bonito sashimi)
raw inside and roast outside!
★Hirome Market (弘人市場)
2-3-1 Obiyamachi, Kochi-shi, Kochi 780-0841
Map Code: 73184798*55
Open Hour: Mon, Sat, national holidays 8:00-23:00
Sun 7:00-23:00
Official Homepage
Shimanto River (四万十川)
It is 196 km long but does not have any dam.
With its beautiful nature,
it is known as the last clear stream of Japan.
The river is clear like a mirror.
The bridge is clearing reflecting on the surface of the river.
And the bridge is not wide,
that only a small scale of car can pass through,
so safety drive is required on the bridge.
★ Shimanto River (四万十川)
Katsuma, Shimanto-shi, Koshi
Map Code: 764188854*86
Official Homepage of Shimanto City Tourism Association
🚗Ehime Prefecture（愛媛県）
Shimonada Station（下灘駅)
A famous photo shooting spot here!!
A lot of Japanese dramas and movies taking favor of its location and beautiful scene to create a lot of great works.
It is known as the station nearest to the sea in Japan!
Thereby, no doubt
different fantastic scenes are expected in good weather!
Hotel Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori （奥道後 壱湯の守）
A hot spring facility, which you can enjoy the beautiful view while soaking at the hot springs.
★ Hotel Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori （奥道後 壱湯の守）
267 Suemachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 791-0122
Map Code: 53414427*43
Official Page
Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉) is a hot spring in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.
Having more than 3000 years history and known as one of the oldest three hot spring in Japan, the building has been recognized as
Japanese national designated important cultural heritage!
It is said that the building in animation Spirited Away has been influenced by the architecture here too!
If you are fans of Hayao Miyazaki,
you don't wanna miss it!
★ Dogo Onsen Hot Spring (道後溫泉)
1-7 Dogomachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 790-0843
Map Code: 53349549*56
Open Hour:
1F Kami no yu 6:00- 23:00
2-3F Rest room 6:00-22:00
For price and service info
Official Page
Nishiseto Expressway （西瀬戸自動車道）
Nishiseto Expressway is also called Shimanami Kaido（しまなみ海道）.
It is an expressway connecting Ehime and Hiroshima.
It contains ten bridges and is a route available for bicycles, mopeds and pedestrians crossing, of course cars.
★ Nishiseto Expressway （西瀬戸自動車道）
Shimanami Kaido, 3-9 Ohamacho, Imabari, Ehime 794-0002
Map code：356357415*34
Bicycle rental
Official HOMEPAGE
What do you think about our road trip to Shikoku??
Nissan Rent-a-car travel!!!
We did have a great time!!!!
***
For more interesting topics,
Please click on JAPANKURU to check out our official blog
Be sure to look at JAPANKURU🐶 for more exciting articles every day!!
Details
NAME:NISSAN Rent-a-Car
MAP
2477-5 Kōnanchō Yusa, Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa
602-2 Hayukakami, Ayagawa-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa, 761-2207
8 Nariaicho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-8081
264-1 Oge, Naruto-cho Tosadomariura, Tokushima 7720053
1520 Yamashirocho Nishiu, Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima 779-5451
Ikedacho Matsuo, Miyoshi, Tokushima
2-3-1 Obiyamachi, Kochi-shi, Kochi 780-0841
Katsuma, Shimanto-shi, Koshi
1-7 Dogomachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime 790-0843
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HOKKAIDO
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Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!
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NIKI
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Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.
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NISEKO
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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OTARU
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Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).
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SAPPORO
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Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.
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TOHOKU
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Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!
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AKITA
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Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!
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FUKUSHIMA
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Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.
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YAMAGATA
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Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.
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KANTO
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Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.
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GUNMA
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Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.
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TOCHIGI
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Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.
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TOKYO
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Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.
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CHUBU
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The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.
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NAGANO
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Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.
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NAGOYA
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Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.
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NIIGATA
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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SHIZUOKA
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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KANSAI
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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KYOTO
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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NARA
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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