This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Shikoku.
Shikoku, Japan, is the smallest of the four Japanese main islands. It is located south of Honshu and east of Kyushu. While compared to the other islands, Shikoku is lesser-known and many international tourists do not visit the island, Shikoku boasts numerous worth-seeing attractions. If you decide to visit this hidden gem, you will find plenty of unspoilt nature, historic places, traditional festivals, and good opportunities for outdoor sports. Most airports on the island offer flights to Tokyo and other major cities in Japan, such as Sapporo and Osaka. International flight links to South Korea are available. Shikoku is not part of the Shinkansen network, but you can take trains from Okayama on Honshu Island to Takamatsu.
There are numerous Shikoku, Japan hostels and guesthouses open on the island, spread all around. Keep in mind that the number of classic hostels in Shikoku, Japan, is very limited. The quality of the accommodations can vary, however most of them are very clean. If you want to book a hotel, you can find a broad choice in bigger cities such as Tokushima.
In Japan, the island of Shikoku is famous for its eighty-eight-temple pilgrimage. The temples are associated with the priest Kukai. The traditional pilgrims walk the pilgrim path, but most modern-day pilgrims travel by bus. Mount Ishizuchi is one of the highest peaks in the west of Japan and a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. It is believed to have been an active volcano around fifteen million years ago. Do not miss the Joju, a worth-seeing shrine near the ropeway station. In Tokushima, there is the well-known summer festival Awa Odori. In the middle of August, this festival attracts more than a million people annually. The different groups dance through designated spectator areas in a procession; during this dance, the groups also play traditional musical instruments.
Written by local enthusiast for Shikoku hostels
Flo
