Intensive
Japan's Greatest Hits
Greatest hits, no padding, mostly trains.
- First visit
- Base cities: Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka
- culture
- food
- urban
- history
Itinerary
The Heart of Shikoku
- 10 nights
- Medium pace
- Returning visitor
Medium pace
Shikoku is the smallest of the four main islands, and ten days is the right amount of time for it. A loop out of Osaka: Takamatsu for Ritsurin Garden and the art island of Naoshima, Kochi for its coast and original castle, and Matsuyama for its hilltop keep and Dogo Onsen, the oldest hot spring in the country. Less rushed than the cities, slower than the mainland.
The smallest island at the right size: art at Naoshima, Kochi's coast, Matsuyama's castle and the oldest onsen in Japan.
Trip facts
- Length10 nights
- PaceMedium
- Designed forReturning visitor
- GatewaysIn and out via Osaka
The route, city by city
Where you sleep and what each base is for. Load it into the planner to reshape the cities, dates, and day-by-day plan.
- Day 1Arrive
- Day 2Explore
Japan's food capital and most exuberant city - a working-class energy that takes eating very seriously.
- Day 3Travel in
- Day 4Day trip: Naoshima
Shikoku's udon capital and the gateway to Ritsurin Garden and the Setouchi art islands.
Japan's premier art island - Benesse's extraordinary project placing world-class contemporary art within an island fishing village community.
- Day 5Travel in
- Day 6Explore
A vibrant Pacific coast city with Japan's longest Sunday market, the birthplace of Sakamoto Ryoma, and superb bonito sashimi.
- Day 7Travel in
- Day 8Explore
Shikoku's largest city, home to one of Japan's finest original castles and Dogo Onsen - possibly the world's oldest hot spring.
- Day 9Travel in
- Day 10Depart
Japan's food capital and most exuberant city - a working-class energy that takes eating very seriously.
Your JP Adventure
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