Shikoku

Discover a variety of ways to enjoy the Shimanto River, the longest river in the Shikoku area, which flows through Shimanto City in Kochi Prefecture. You can try canoeing or rafting, board a sightseeing tour boat, or pass under the chinkabashi (bridges designed to be submerged during flooding) in a yakatabune (traditional Japanese houseboat). You can also try tasting local dishes made from wild eel or ayu (sweetfish) caught in the river or revel in the magnificent natural landscape created by...

Kochi Castle was built by Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a feudal lord who was assigned by Tokugawa Ieyasu the whole province of Tosa for the contribution to the Battle of Sekigahara. In 1601, Yamauchi started newly building the castle on Otakasaka Hill, and entered the castle upon completing the main enclosure and the second circle of defense in 1603.

Sakamoto Ryoma, born in Tosa, was a patriot at the end of the Edo Period and dedicated his life to early modern Japan. The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum was opened in November 1991 to commemorate his achievements, and collect and exhibit items relating to him.

Katsurahama beach is one of the most picturesque locations in Kochi. This arch-shaped beach is located at the entrance of Urado Bay, in between Cape Ryuzu and Cape Ryuo. The backdrop of thick pine greenery, the five-colored beach gravel, and the deep blue sea come together to form a picturesque scene almost like a miniature garden.

The Niyodo River in Kochi has the most beautiful blue water in all of Japan and is known as Niyodo Blue. This mystical blue basin was the location of a Japanese legendary tale between a mythical serpent and a beautiful daughter.

Kochi Castle History Museum is a new hub for the culture and history of Tosa. This museum is the main venue of the Shikoku Kochi Bakumatsu Restoration Exhibition, and visitors can enhance their understanding of the Bakumatsu-Meiji restoration period.

The Shimanami Kaido, which connects Imabari in Ehime to Hiroshima, is a popular tourist spot for cycling. You can also feed your soul with history and nature at Kirosantenbo Park and Oyamazumi Shrine, and enjoy local delicacies such as Imabari Yakibuta Tamago Meshi (grilled pork and egg over rice).

You can easily access the castle tower of Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama, Ehime via ropeway or lift, and the castle is lit up at night. Matsuyama Castle sits atop Mount Katsuyama (132 meters above sea level) in central Matsuyama city.

Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime is an extremely popular tourist spot. Another recommendation is healing yourself at the nearby Asuka no Yu hot springs and Isaniwa Shrine, and going on an eating tour in the shopping district.

Date Munetada, the seventh feudal lord of the Uwajima domain who went by the pseudonym "Shunzan," constructed this garden as a place of retirement. The name of the garden comes from a poem Date Masamune wrote after his retirement. The poem goes, “I spent my younger days on a horse for battles, now the world is peaceful and my hair has turned gray, my aging body exists here because God in heaven forgave me and let me live."

Canyoning is a river sport from France that allows you to full enjoy valleys with your whole body—jump into the waterfall basin, allow the water current to carry you, and abseil.

This is a roadside station located along Besshi-Suiha Hana Kaido on Ehime Prefectural Road 47.