Self-Guided Adventure
Tailor-made
Secrets of Shikoku
13 Nights: from US$3604 per person (twin share) Trip Code: SOSC
Our Secrets of Shikoku itinerary traverses the valleys and mountains of beautiful rural Shikoku, including time on the art island of Naoshima, as well as stays in historic Kyoto and super-modern Osaka. Read more >
A visit to Shikoku offers a wonderful chance to see a side of Japan rarely experienced by travellers, most of whom stick to the well-worn and well-loved sites of Japan's main island.
In Kotohira you'll follow the pilgrims skywards as you climb the steep steps of Konpira-san, Shikoku's most famous shrine. In Matsuyama you'll soak in the hot spring waters of historic Dogo Onsen, Japan's oldest bathhouse. Further inland you'll head into the Iya Valley, where hidden gorges and traditional vine bridges await exploration, followed by a stay in a charming mountainside village that feels like stepping back in time.
Your itinerary will also include a day trip to the unique Naoshima on the Seto Inland Sea. This tiny island has developed a global reputation thanks to its large collection of contemporary art galleries, exhibits and outdoor installations; a tour de force of architectural expression integrating art and the natural environment.
Stays at traditional Japanese-style inns will provide contrast with Western-style hotels, giving you some fantastic opportunities to meet Japanese people whilst making sure that your trip provides a benefit to the local community.
Transport: This itinerary is best enjoyed with a rental car, so that you can visit some of the more remote regions of Shikoku such as the Iya Valley's idyllic Ochiai village. If you don't feel confident about driving, we can either arrange private cars at an additional cost or recommend public transport, although please note that local train and bus services, while reliable, are often infrequent in this countryside region! Just let us know how you'd like to travel and we'll tailor the trip to fit your requirements.
Driving in Japan: Please note that to drive in Japan you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country.
What's included
- 13 nights' accommodation (seven nights Japanese-style)
- Breakfast on 11 mornings, and seven evening meals
- Airport transfers
- Transport between destinations unless otherwise specified
- Eight-hour private guide service in Kyoto
- Ferry tickets for Naoshima day trip
- Tickets for the Chichu Art Museum on naoshima
- Four days' car rental
- Pocket WiFi device
- Your personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack
What's NOT included:
- International flights
- Petrol (gas) for car rental
- Local transport (local taxis, subways, buses) at any destination
- Any entrance fees (including those for shrines, temples and museums)
- Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
Trip Highlights
- Stay at a traditional ryokan on Miyajima Island
- Live like a local in a remote mountain village
- Climb to Kotohira's mountaintop temple
- Soak in the waters of Japan's oldest bathhouse
- Traverse the vine bridges of the Iya Valley
- Visit one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens
For more information email us: info-usa@insidejapantours.com or call: 303 952 0379
What, where, when and how...
Secrets of Shikoku - 14 Days

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