Island Hopping Around Shikoku

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Every island in Japan is chock full of unique experiences. Lesser-known destinations offer authentic escapes that await your discovery. While Osaka Bay is the hub of so much activity on the mainland, a short jaunt to Awaji Island, the gateway to Shikoku, reveals unexpected delight.

Shikoku is Japan’s fourth-largest island, divided into four prefectures. Separated from the mainland by the Seto Inland Sea, Shikoku’s relative seclusion offers undisturbed nature, majestic temples, and authentic cultural experiences. The smaller islands surrounding Shikoku proudly claim a similar character, offering the adventurous traveller an incredible itinerary for island hopping across one of Japan’s most serene regions.

Zenbo Seinei on Awaji Island. Photo Courtesy of Pasaona Group Inc.

Awaji Island, between Shikoku and Osaka Bay, is famous for its traditional puppet theatre and, more recently, its wellness offerings. Zenbo Seinei is a luxurious Zen retreat designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban, recipient of the Pritzker Prize, the highest acknowledgement in architecture. Secluded by nature, we are encouraged to walk barefoot to feel the warmth and aroma of the unique 100-meter-long wooden deck with spectacular panoramic views.

The aim is to heal and balance your mind and body, and to spend time facing ourselves through meditation and yoga. The organic cuisine is comprised of the bounty of the surrounding nature. There are no animal products, flour, oil, or white sugar. The Japanese culture of fermentation enables flavourful nutrition that is gentle on the body. The retreat also serves its own homemade amazake and soy sauce that has not yet stopped fermenting.

Nijigen no Mori Statues on Awaji Island. Photo Courtesy of JNTO Canada.

Awaji Island is renowned for its beauty, and rural life, but has also become a mecca for those who love Japanese anime, manga, and games. Nijigen no Mori is a Japanese anime park “where screens and paper spread across the entire forest.” Using technology to fuse the real and the digital, visitors move through landscapes as though they are inside the work. An outdoor RPG (Role Playing Game) attraction allows us to become the main characters of the story and experience an adventure in the world of “Dragon Quest.” The Godzilla Interception Operation enables us to enter a life-size recreation of Godzilla’s mouth and perform missions on a zip line!

The “Naruto & Boruto Shinobi-zato” attraction offers daring enthusiasts a three-dimensional maze in which you experience training using scrolls to solve puzzles like a totally unique escape room.

Shodoshima Olive Park on Shodoshima Island. Photo Courtesy of JNTO Canada.

Nearby, Shodoshima Island has a Mediterranean vibe. In addition to its pristine beaches and lush coastline, Shodoshima is the birthplace of olives in Japan. We follow the Olive Hill Walking Map, and sample varieties of Japanese olive oil that are pure, fragrant and uniquely Japanese. Also of note is the soy sauce production and Soy Sauce Museum. At Kinryo Shoyu we learn the traditional method of fermenting and brewing soy sauce.

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Acadian Sturgeon Caviar. Photo Courtesy of Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar.

Naoshima, the “Art Island,” is an artist’s refuge to create or celebrate the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival. Open-air exhibits appear on the shore, like Yayoi Kusama’s iconic black-dotted yellow pumpkin. Galleries, sculpture gardens, contemporary art museums and architectural projects reflect such diverse creations, from Claude Monet to James Turrell. This is heaven for an art enthusiast.

Iya Valley. Photo Courtesy of JNTO Canada.

In the centre of Shikoku lies the Iya Valley, where we can enjoy farm stays and experience old-world agrarian Japan. It is also a haven for thrill-seekers who know the Yoshino River offers the most ferocious white-water rafting in Japan. Feel the rush from barrelling down the river through a majestic mountain range at Mach speed with Happy Raft. Other popular activities include canyoning expeditions, tree-walking and zip-lining across the canyon with a finale of sliding down a waterfall into a deep pool to lazily drift with the current.

Island hopping through the Shikoku region from Osaka Bay to the Seto Inland Sea provides some of the most rewarding experiences one can find in Japan.

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