Experience plans to enjoy in Shikoku, from udon-making to indigo-dyeing

Shikoku is home to all sorts of facilities and experiences, including udon-making in Kagawa Prefecture, indigo-dyeing in Tokushima Prefecture, and painting Tobe-ware ceramics in Ehime Prefecture! Another highlight you can enjoy is fruit-picking—harvest mikan oranges in Ehime Prefecture and more fruits in Kochi Prefecture in the south. Experiencing this yourself, on top of seeing and eating these fruits, makes it twice as fun! Enjoy and learn with your family.
This article introduces our recommended experiences in Shikoku.

Join in an udon-making experience in the home of Japan’s vaunted gourmet Sanuki udon!

Kagawa Prefecture is the number one in Japan for both production and consumption of udon. Sanuki udon, famous throughout Japan, is popular for its firmness and delicious taste, and you can make this udon yourself in Kagawa, the home of Sanuki udon!
This udon-making experience enables you to savor the udon not only by eating it, but also through the fun of making it yourself. Participants receive direct guidance from an expert, and can learn professional skills and tricks.

How to enjoy your udon-making experience

Depending on the plan, you can experience making noodle dough, creating the noodles by hand (stretching the dough with a rolling pin), and cutting them. These all seem simple, but actually require knowhow to achieve.
You can take the udon you make home, or boil and eat it there. Savor your freshly made udon with the toppings of your choice in a dashi broth—it’s superb! Some plans allow you to take your rolling pin or other items as mementos, so you can enjoy making udon at home.
[Time required] Around 1–2 hours (reservation needed)
[Cost] Around 1,500 to 3,000 yen

See more about udon-making experiences

Places that offer udon-making experiences

Nakano Udon School Takamatsu Campas (Udon noodle Making Experience)

Nakano Udon School Takamatsu Campas. We teach you how to make udon noodles in 40 to 60 minutes. The teacher will instruct from kneading the flour, stretching it with a rolling pin, to boiling it. After making the udon, you can enjoy tasting it! The taste of udon made by yourself is exceptional. You will receive a hanging scroll to commemorate your graduation.

Nakano Udon School Kotohira Campus (Udon noodle Making Experience)

Graduate in About 60 Minutes! Come Empty-Handed and Make Your Own Udon! Our udon teachers will teach you everything you need to know to make authentic Sanuki udon noodles, from kneading the dough to rolling it out and boiling it. After you make your noodles, you'll get to enjoy them with everyone else. There's nothing like the taste of udon you've made yourself! You can also take your udon home with you as a souvenir. We'll give you a graduation certificate, a secret recipe book, and a rolling pin as souvenirs. Please feel free to join us!

Sanuki Mengyo (Udon noodle making experience)

"Kagawa-style” handmade udon taught by an udon master is a method for making ‘authentic handmade udon’ at home easily and in a short time. The udon noodles you make can be tasted on the spot. After the experience, you will receive a “certificate of completion” and ”a special noodle stick”. In addition to the udon noodle making experience, a factory tour is also available.

Onishi Emono Seisakusho (Udon noodle making workshop)

Onishi Karamono Seisakusho manufactures and sells noodle sticks and drumsticks (for lion dance) that are loved by famous udon restaurants. Why don't you try making delicious udon noodles using our famous noodle sticks? The udon noodles you make can be both tasted and taken home. Some visitors say, “Anyway, the udon noodles I made by myself were exceptionally delicious! This is the reputation of our udon making workshop.

Udon no Yakata Oshoya (Udon noodle making experience)

Sanuki udon noodles are made from udon dough (dumplings). The dough is stretched with a rolling pin and cut with a knife to make Sanuki udon. The udon noodles can be eaten on the spot or taken home as a souvenir. The taste of udon noodles made by yourself is exceptional! You will receive a certificate of completion after the experience.

Shodoshima Furusato-mura

Located in the center of Shodoshima Island, this comprehensive tourism and recreation facility offers a stay-and-participate type of experience for families and groups in a blessed natural environment. In addition to resort facilities such as a fishing pier, experience facilities and lodging facilities are also available. Accommodations are available in inns, villas, and auto camps, depending on the type of use. A wide variety of hands-on experience menus are offered, such as a hand-pulled udon noodle making class, a yacht/canoeing class, and a pottery making class. The Furusato Product Center has a wide variety of Shodoshima specialties such as plums and olives. For details, please visit the official website. Example of experience menu) ・Shodoshima Food Experience ・Kayaking Experience ・Strawberry orchard ・Udon noodle making experience

KYUKAMURA HOTELS SANUKI-GOSHIKIDAI（Udon noodle making experience）

You can experience authentic Sanuki udon noodle making. You will receive a “rolling pin” for making udon at home and a “towel handkerchief” with original embroidery.

Hotel Second Stage

The hotel is located in Shioe Onsenkyo, on the border between Kagawa and Tokushima prefectures. With the Asan Mountains rising in the south and the Uchiba Dam shining on the lake in front of the hotel, you can spend your time feeling the cycle of the four seasons. The hotel also offers a wide variety of hands-on activities, such as udon noodle making.

UDON HOUSE

UDON HOUSE, located in Kagawa Prefecture, the home of Sanuki udon, is a hands-on lodging facility where you can learn about Sanuki udon culture and enjoy the local area. There are many places in Kagawa where you can experience making udon, but here you can take your time to learn and enjoy udon as a “culture”. Various plans such as “Udon Master Class & Local Farm Tour” and “Udon Breakfeast Tour” are available. For more information, please visit the official website below.

Why not try the beauty of dyeing with indigo, known as “Japan blue”?

Tokushima Prefecture is known as the region for indigo-dyeing (aizome), which has around 800 years of history and is the oldest dyeing technique in Japan. Indigo-dyeing uses plant-based dyes to color threads and cloth, and its unique beauty has led to this color being known as “Japan blue” around the world. Why not join in an experience to feel Tokushima’s unique traditions and culture?

How to enjoy an aizome indigo-dyeing experience

In an aizome indigo-dyeing experience, you can enjoy the process of creating vivid color through dyeing techniques. Participants can learn directly from a craftsperson, so beginners can get involved with peace of mind.
Once you have finalized your design, dye your cloth in indigo solution, wash out the excess dye and dry it, and your work is done.
[Time required] Around 1–3 hours (reservation needed)
[Cost] Around 1,000 to 5,000 yen

See more about indigo-dyeing

Places that offer aizome indigo-dyeing experiences

Aizumicho Historical Museum, “Ai-no-Yakata”

This dyer's home and factory, preserved from the era when the Awa indigo trade was flourishing, displays all of the tools of the trade. You can even try indigo dyeing for yourself on any cloth item you have with you, such as handkerchiefs.

Hana-ai Farm (tie-dyeing workshop and indigo dyeing experience)

Indigo dyeing experience using “Tadeai” grown naturally without pesticides and fertilizers. While learning about indigo, participants will tie-dye handkerchiefs, tenugui hand towels, T-shirts, and other items with original patterns. In the great nature of the Sadamisaki Peninsula, visitors can experience the three stages of color change that only natural lye-fermented indigo dyeing can produce. You can also dye your own important clothes and other items you have brought with you.

Hatagoya Tonbiii (Uchiwa making and indigo dyeing experience)

Under the careful guidance of artisans, visitors can try their hand at making Marugame uchiwa (Japanese fan), a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture, or indigo dyeing, a specialty of Tokushima Prefecture, or a combination of the two. In the uchiwa making experience, visitors can make their own uchiwa by attaching colorful Tosa or Awa Japanese paper to a Japanese bamboo frame made by a craftsman. Visitors can also observe the framework being made. At the indigo-dyeing workshop, visitors can dye handkerchiefs, scarves, and other items. The natural indigo dye has an attractive shining blue color like that of the Seto Inland Sea. Visitors can experience both and make their own indigo-dyed handkerchiefs into uchiwa (Japanese fans).

Try creating ceramics with original designs through Tobe-ware painting experiences, Ehime Prefecture’s traditional craft

Tobe ware is acknowledged as one of Japan’s traditional craft products. In this painting experience, you won’t just learn about culture—you can indulge in free expression using your own sensibilities. Immerse yourself in the experience and you’ll surely gain a great sense of accomplishment. Get involved together with family or friends, use and display your finished product in everyday life, and enjoy your memory of this experience.
[Time required] Around 1–2 hours (reservation needed, possible to receive your finished product by postal mail)
[Cost] Around 1,000 to 2,500 yen

See more about Tobe ware

Places that offer Tobe-ware painting experiences

Tobe-yaki Togeikan (Tobe-Ware)

The Tobe-yaki Togeikan offers an incredible range of ceramics available for purchase as well as hands-on classes and ceramics exhibitions. On the ground floor you will find over 30,000 works from 32 local kiln (ceramist) for display and purchase. Many people come to the Kamadashi markets held here in spring and autumn for a special bargain. On the upper floor you can join the ceramic workshop and try your hand at painting, twisting, and wheel throwing.

Tobe Town Ceramic Art Creation Center（砥部町陶芸創作館）

This facility offers three hands-on courses to experience the joy of creating Tobe-Ware. There is the “Painting Experience,” in which visitors can choose from a variety of ceramics to paint or write their favorite words on, the “Ceramic Shaping Experience (Wheel-throwing Experience),” in which visitors can use an electric potter to create their favorite shape, and the “Hand-building Experience (Twisting Shaping Experience),” in which they can push and pinch clay or shape it by hitting it into a mold with a wooden spatula.

En'nosato Tobeyaki Tourism Center

This is a tourist facility where visitors can learn about Tobe-Ware, which is designated as a national traditional craft. There is a reference corner with a collection of fine items and an exhibition and sales corner. Visitors can also try their hand at painting and other hands-on activities.

Baizan-Gama (Kiln)

The kiln has a history of over 100 years and firmly maintains the ancient tradition of Tobe-Ware. All ceramics production is done by hand by craftsmen, and it takes about a month to complete a piece that combines “use” and “beauty. Visitors can purchase beautiful handicrafts at the direct sales shop, and can also try their hand at painting at Tobe-Ware painting experience corner. *Please check directly with the facility to confirm whether or not the painting experience is available.

Noson-Kogei-Taiken-Kan (Rural Craft Experience Hall)

Surrounded by rich nature, this experience center with its trademark triangular roof allows visitors to try their hand at making ceramics. The center displays a variety of warm, handmade works, such as plates, cups, and vases, that will make visitors feel at home. The staff will carefully explain the process of making pottery, so even beginners can enjoy creating unique works of art. Visitors can also purchase ceramic works on display, allowing them to fully enjoy both creating and shopping for their own ceramic works.

More than Ehime’s mikan oranges! Fruit-picking in Kochi

It’s not just Ehime Prefecture’s mikan oranges—you can savor just-picked fresh fruits where they are grown in Kochi, including strawberries, blueberries, watermelons, and melons. Different fruits can be enjoyed in different seasons, so regardless of when you visit, people of all ages, children and adults, can get involved. Make the most of the fruits of Tosa in the south!

Picking Ehime's mikan oranges is a must!

Places that offer fruit-picking

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Nishijima Flower Garden

This is a sightseeing farm with 10 cultivation greenhouses on a vast site of about 6 hectares. Visitors can enjoy watermelons and melons all year round while surrounded by tropical flowers. There is also a café attached to the farm, so lunch and sweets are recommended. The limited-time strawberry picking (January to early June) is also very popular, with all-you-can-eat in 40 minnte. Please spend a relaxing time surrounded by flowers and fruits.

Tosa no Kochi no kudamono-hatake（Mikan Picking Tourist Farm）

The farm grows sweet, safe and secure mandarin oranges in three vast fields that are the size of six Tokyo Domes. At one of the farms, the Mikan Picking Tourist Farm, visitors can enjoy picking mandarin oranges while feeling the fresh breeze in the vast field. The farm plants low trees on a flat area, so small children, the elderly, and the physically challenged can enjoy the farm with peace of mind. There is also a children's playground where children can play energetically and a picnic space.

How to enjoy the Shikoku Pilgrimage

The Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage is one of the few circular-shaped pilgrimages in the world. The entire route is around 1,200 km, and takes you around the four prefectures of Shikoku as you experience its rich natural world
The traditional approach to the Shikoku Pilgrimage (Shikoku Henro) sees participants ready gear such as pilgrimage clothing, visit the main halls (where the deity of the temple is enshrined) and daishi halls (where Kobo Daishi is enshrined) of temples, and receive a stamp in their pilgrimage book as proof of their visit. Make the most of Shikoku’s beautiful natural scenery as you unhurriedly enjoy the Buddhist statues, architecture, and gardens. We also recommend savoring local specialty products and gourmet food as you travel around. This time-consuming pilgrimage is perfect to refresh your mind and heart!
You can also enjoy interacting with local people at the temples and lodgings along the way. Why not refresh your mind and body with the Shikoku Pilgrimage?

See more about the pilgrimage

Click here for a video introducing appealing experiences and spots on the Shikoku Pilgrimage!

There’s still more! Special experiences you can only have in Shikoku

What do you think? Shikoku has plenty of other experiences that can become lasting memories. Check out the link below.