Recommendations for traveling around the Shikoku circuit! Plus an introduction to itineraries! Feature: How to get around during your Shikoku journey
When you’re traveling in Shikoku, we recommend choosing from among its many means of transport. Rail, bus, car (a private car or a rental car), bicycle, and more—each has its own charms, and making a choice based on your preferences will make your trip even better. This article offers a detailed introduction to the characteristics of each mode of transport, how to get around Shikoku, itineraries, and more. We’ll also tell you about ways of doing the Shikoku circuit (traveling around the circumference of Shikoku), unique to this island. Make the most of your trip to Shikoku with a method that suits you!
What is the best way to travel around Shikoku?
Shikoku is a destination with a stunning natural world, and is full of fascinating tourist sites. It offers diverse means of transport, including railways, cars, and bicycles. If you take a train or a bus, you can travel in comfort while enjoying the scenery from the windows. If you choose a private car or rental car, you can travel freely without worrying about timetables. On a bicycle, you can savor the thrill of an exhilarating ride as you experience the natural world up close. Travel is one more way of enjoying your Shikoku journey. This article will compare the features of each mode of transport and help you choose the one that suits your trip.
The attractions and advantages of a railway journey
Shikoku boasts a diverse range of trains, which make travel itself a thing of joy. The greatest appeal of a railway journey is enjoying free time and great scenery from the windows as you travel in comfort. You don’t have the burden of driving, so you can have fun reading, eating, or having a drink, and traveling by train means well-planned journeys that aren't affected by traffic congestion. This is an eco-friendly mode of travel that offers memorable journeys.
On a sightseeing “Monogatari” train, you can savor a meal in an elegant carriage as you make the most of the superb views from the windows: Shikoku’s seas, mountains, rivers, and sights from the four seasons. There’s an array of other unique trains too, including the Anpanman Trains based on the popular children’s animation, the spacious torokko/torocco (trolley trains), the oldest extant trams in Japan, and even the world’s first DMV (dual-mode vehicle: a vehicle that can operate on a track as a train and on a road as a bus), which runs on both a track and the road.
Make the most of Shikoku by enjoying picturesque scenery, gourmet food, and sightseeing trains on a railway journey.
(1) Comfortable travel, (2) Wonderful scenery, (3) Free time, (4) Accurate timing
On a sightseeing “Monogatari” train, you can savor a meal in an elegant carriage as you make the most of the superb views from the windows: Shikoku’s seas, mountains, rivers, and sights from the four seasons. There’s an array of other unique trains too, including the Anpanman Trains based on the popular children’s animation, the spacious torokko/torocco (trolley trains), the oldest extant trams in Japan, and even the world’s first DMV (dual-mode vehicle: a vehicle that can operate on a track as a train and on a road as a bus), which runs on both a track and the road.
Make the most of Shikoku by enjoying picturesque scenery, gourmet food, and sightseeing trains on a railway journey.
(1) Comfortable travel, (2) Wonderful scenery, (3) Free time, (4) Accurate timing
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If you take limited express trains (tokkyu) around the Shikoku circuit, you can travel around Shikoku in a minimum of one day (around 15 hours) on the railway. However, we recommend that you see the sights as you make your way around the island over three to five days. If you use the rail passes offered by each JR company, you can travel around Shikoku as much as you like for a set price, without worrying about fares.
Whatever your plans, the JAPAN RAIL PASS and ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass are the two passes you’ll want to look into. The JAPAN RAIL PASS (7 days, available from 50,000 yen for adults) enables you to use the JR lines that run around the whole of Japan as much as you like. As you travel across Japan—perhaps to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto—head a little further and make Shikoku, a new adventure, your final destination.
On the other hand, if you just want to make the most of Shikoku on this trip, we recommend the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass (3 days, available from 12,000 yen for adults). With this, you can use not only the JR lines in Shikoku as much as you want, you can also travel on the privately owned railways (TOSA KUROSHIO TETSUDO (Railway); Asa Coast Railway Company; TAKAMATSU-KOTOHIRA ELECTRIC RAILROAD Co., Ltd.; Iyo Railway Co., Ltd. (Iyotetsu); and TOSADEN TRAFFIC CO., LTD.) as well as the Shodoshima Ferry and Shodoshima Olive Bus. If you’re only visiting Kagawa Prefecture, check out the KAGAWA Mini Rail & Ferry Pass too.
*This information is correct as of February 12, 2025. Please check the latest information on the official websites.
How to travel around the Shikoku circuit by rail
If you take limited express trains (tokkyu) around the Shikoku circuit, you can travel around Shikoku in a minimum of one day (around 15 hours) on the railway. However, we recommend that you see the sights as you make your way around the island over three to five days. If you use the rail passes offered by each JR company, you can travel around Shikoku as much as you like for a set price, without worrying about fares.
Whatever your plans, the JAPAN RAIL PASS and ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass are the two passes you’ll want to look into. The JAPAN RAIL PASS (7 days, available from 50,000 yen for adults) enables you to use the JR lines that run around the whole of Japan as much as you like. As you travel across Japan—perhaps to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto—head a little further and make Shikoku, a new adventure, your final destination.
On the other hand, if you just want to make the most of Shikoku on this trip, we recommend the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass (3 days, available from 12,000 yen for adults). With this, you can use not only the JR lines in Shikoku as much as you want, you can also travel on the privately owned railways (TOSA KUROSHIO TETSUDO (Railway); Asa Coast Railway Company; TAKAMATSU-KOTOHIRA ELECTRIC RAILROAD Co., Ltd.; Iyo Railway Co., Ltd. (Iyotetsu); and TOSADEN TRAFFIC CO., LTD.) as well as the Shodoshima Ferry and Shodoshima Olive Bus. If you’re only visiting Kagawa Prefecture, check out the KAGAWA Mini Rail & Ferry Pass too.
*This information is correct as of February 12, 2025. Please check the latest information on the official websites.
Travel can also be fun! Shikoku train journeys
This article introduces trains that will make your travels more enjoyable, based on five themes. Head out on a Shikoku journey on trains filled with charm, from the sightseeing trains that tell tales of history unique to the area to the trains that continue to be loved by the local people!
A railway journey around Shikoku, starting from Takamatsu! Travel around popular spots, including Dogo Onsen and Katsurahama Beach: 3-day/2-night itinerary
From Tokushima to Kochi and Ehime Experience Shikoku’s history and natural world: 3-day/2-night railway itinerary
[Railway journey] From Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture to Kochi and Tokushima A railway trip around historic townscapes and a vast natural world: 4-day/3-night cross-Shikoku itinerary
[Railway journey] Conquer eight castles, starting from Takamatsu! Recommended for history-lovers: an itinerary for a railway journey around Shikoku
[Railway and bus journey] From Tokushima to Kochi via Cape Muroto Ride the famous DMV! Tokushima, Muroto, and Kochi itinerary using the “55” free-use ticket
A railway journey around Shikoku, starting from Takamatsu! Travel around popular spots, including Dogo Onsen and Katsurahama Beach: 3-day/2-night itinerary
From Tokushima to Kochi and Ehime Experience Shikoku’s history and natural world: 3-day/2-night railway itinerary
[Railway journey] From Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture to Kochi and Tokushima A railway trip around historic townscapes and a vast natural world: 4-day/3-night cross-Shikoku itinerary
[Railway journey] Conquer eight castles, starting from Takamatsu! Recommended for history-lovers: an itinerary for a railway journey around Shikoku
[Railway and bus journey] From Tokushima to Kochi via Cape Muroto Ride the famous DMV! Tokushima, Muroto, and Kochi itinerary using the “55” free-use ticket
The attractions and advantages of a driving journey
Shikoku is surrounded by mountains and seas, and boasts plentiful attractive driving spots where you can enjoy diverse scenery. The greatest appeal of taking a car is the ability to freely reach places that might be hard to access by train or bicycle. You’re not bound by time, so you can travel as you like, and can casually stop at places that interest you during your journey. Shikoku is home to stunning views that you will never experience unless you drive, including the “tenku no michi” (road in the sky) through Shikoku Karst National Park, the sheer cliffs of Cape Muroto and Cape Ashizuri, and the Shimanami Kaido route over the sea.
On top of this, a car makes things easier to carry if you have lots of luggage, and means you can travel comfortably even in bad weather, so it’s also perfect for traveling with a large number of people such as family or friends. Relieve the tiredness of your travels in Shikoku’s famous hot springs, such as Dogo Onsen and Iyaonsen hot springs, as you enjoy an amazing driving journey.
(1) A larger area of activity, (2) No time restraints, (3) Convenient for traveling with family or friends, (4) Easy to transport luggage
On top of this, a car makes things easier to carry if you have lots of luggage, and means you can travel comfortably even in bad weather, so it’s also perfect for traveling with a large number of people such as family or friends. Relieve the tiredness of your travels in Shikoku’s famous hot springs, such as Dogo Onsen and Iyaonsen hot springs, as you enjoy an amazing driving journey.
(1) A larger area of activity, (2) No time restraints, (3) Convenient for traveling with family or friends, (4) Easy to transport luggage
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When traveling around Shikoku by car, the most efficient route to take is a combination of expressways and regular roads. The driving distance is around 1,000–1,200 km, and you can travel around the island in no more than a day if you take the expressways, but if you want to enjoy the sights, it’s a good idea to allow two or three days. The cost of a rental car generally starts from 8,000 yen per day.
If you use the San'in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP) on the expressways, you can drive on them as much as you like for a set price, making your journey less expensive. If you are traveling in a large group, you can share the travel expenses between you to make it economical. The appeal of a car journey is traveling freely around famous places. Why not enjoy a drive as you travel around Shikoku’s beautiful scenery?
How to travel around the Shikoku circuit by car
When traveling around Shikoku by car, the most efficient route to take is a combination of expressways and regular roads. The driving distance is around 1,000–1,200 km, and you can travel around the island in no more than a day if you take the expressways, but if you want to enjoy the sights, it’s a good idea to allow two or three days. The cost of a rental car generally starts from 8,000 yen per day.
If you use the San'in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass (SEP) on the expressways, you can drive on them as much as you like for a set price, making your journey less expensive. If you are traveling in a large group, you can share the travel expenses between you to make it economical. The appeal of a car journey is traveling freely around famous places. Why not enjoy a drive as you travel around Shikoku’s beautiful scenery?
Travel around famous places in Shikoku in a car! Driving itineraries
3-day/2-night trip. Enjoy popular spots in Tokushima & Kochi & Ehime!
Relaxing hot spring trip (Ehime → Kagawa) 3 days/2 nights
[Drive] Hot Springs and Amazing Scenery
Nature and culture tour in Ehime & Kochi & Tokushima, 3 days/2 nights
Kochi one-day plan: Niyodo Blue version
A trip around Shodoshima (Kagawa → Tokushima) 3 days/2 nights
Relaxing hot spring trip (Ehime → Kagawa) 3 days/2 nights
[Drive] Hot Springs and Amazing Scenery
Nature and culture tour in Ehime & Kochi & Tokushima, 3 days/2 nights
Kochi one-day plan: Niyodo Blue version
A trip around Shodoshima (Kagawa → Tokushima) 3 days/2 nights
The attractions and advantages of a bicycle (cycling) journey
Have fun cycling on Shikoku, especially along the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road, known as a holy land for cyclists. Here, you can enjoy scenery that changes with each ride, including the sparkling coastline of the Seto Inland Sea, grand views of Shikoku’s mountains, and peaceful rural landscapes.
Make the most of a journey just for you: pause at places you like to take a photograph, savor local gourmet cuisine, and ride along backstreets and paths that are inaccessible in a car. Taking an ever-changing route with hill roads and mountain trails offers an incredible feeling of exhilaration when you have finished your ride. This is an eco-friendly mode of transport that is also a form of exercise, so we also recommend this for people who are conscious of their health.
(1) Feeling of unity with nature, (2) High degree of freedom, (3) Healthy and gives a sense of accomplishment (activity), (4) Diverse route choices
Make the most of a journey just for you: pause at places you like to take a photograph, savor local gourmet cuisine, and ride along backstreets and paths that are inaccessible in a car. Taking an ever-changing route with hill roads and mountain trails offers an incredible feeling of exhilaration when you have finished your ride. This is an eco-friendly mode of transport that is also a form of exercise, so we also recommend this for people who are conscious of their health.
(1) Feeling of unity with nature, (2) High degree of freedom, (3) Healthy and gives a sense of accomplishment (activity), (4) Diverse route choices
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It generally takes about 10 days to travel around Shikoku by bicycle. The Shikoku circuit is a vast route with a total length of approximately 1,000 km, so it’s a good idea to plan your trip after deciding how far you will cycle in a day. If you also want to enjoy the sights, we recommend you allow a few extra days. In addition to accommodation and food expenses, a cycling trip will cost you a minimum of 50,000 yen to around 100,000 yen, including sightseeing and bicycle repair fees. You should also make sure you have transport money in case of an emergency for your peace of mind. Guesthouses and camping grounds are good options for a bicycle journey.
The CHALLENGE 1,000 km Project is currently underway in the four prefectures of Shikoku. If you complete the circuit, you will receive a completion certificate and a commemorative medal. Collaborating accommodation facilities offer plenty of services for bicycles, so be sure to make use of these.
How to travel around the Shikoku circuit on a bicycle
It generally takes about 10 days to travel around Shikoku by bicycle. The Shikoku circuit is a vast route with a total length of approximately 1,000 km, so it’s a good idea to plan your trip after deciding how far you will cycle in a day. If you also want to enjoy the sights, we recommend you allow a few extra days. In addition to accommodation and food expenses, a cycling trip will cost you a minimum of 50,000 yen to around 100,000 yen, including sightseeing and bicycle repair fees. You should also make sure you have transport money in case of an emergency for your peace of mind. Guesthouses and camping grounds are good options for a bicycle journey.
The CHALLENGE 1,000 km Project is currently underway in the four prefectures of Shikoku. If you complete the circuit, you will receive a completion certificate and a commemorative medal. Collaborating accommodation facilities offer plenty of services for bicycles, so be sure to make use of these.
Cycling island Shikoku! Cycling itineraries
In recent years, cycling has become more popular on Shikoku, which has a circumference of 1,000 km. Why not taste the extraordinary as you savor seasonal ingredients, gifts from each prefecture’s mountains and seas, on Shikoku, home to a deeply rooted pilgrimage hospitality culture?
Travel around Shikoku on foot?! The Shikoku Pilgrimage
The Shikoku Pilgrimage (Henro) takes you around 88 sacred sites within Shikoku where the famous monk Kukai (also known by his title Kobo Daishi) trained. This approximately 1,400-km route starts in Tokushima and travels around Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa; if you are walking, you will need between 45 and 60 days to complete it. It’s very difficult to walk the entire pilgrimage, but doing so offers special experiences of the beauty of Shikoku’s natural world, exchanges with local people, and time to face yourself. It is said that traveling around all the sacred sites will take away your worldly desires and grant your wish.
Why not head on a journey to balance your heart as you experience history and culture?
See this article for more information about ways of traveling the pilgrimage and preparing for it.
Why not head on a journey to balance your heart as you experience history and culture?
See this article for more information about ways of traveling the pilgrimage and preparing for it.
Travel by rail, car, or bicycle: which will you choose?
The characteristics of each of the modes of transport introduced in this article are listed below. Make the most of each of their advantages to enjoy your Shikoku journey by using a mode of transport that suits you.
Railway journey
＜Recommended for＞
・You don't want to be tired from driving; you want to spend your travel time resting in comfort
・You want a planned journey
・You want to enjoy reading, meals, and drinks
Driving journey
＜Recommended for＞
・You want to travel freely at your own pace, without worrying about the timing of public transport
・You want to visit places that are a long way from public transport infrastructure
・It’s okay if you have lots of luggage
Bicycle (cycling) journey
＜Recommended for＞
・You want travel while enjoying the local atmosphere and sights, without worrying about relative timings
・You want an active trip
・You want to experience a sense of accomplishment
Railway journey
＜Recommended for＞
・You don't want to be tired from driving; you want to spend your travel time resting in comfort
・You want a planned journey
・You want to enjoy reading, meals, and drinks
Driving journey
＜Recommended for＞
・You want to travel freely at your own pace, without worrying about the timing of public transport
・You want to visit places that are a long way from public transport infrastructure
・It’s okay if you have lots of luggage
Bicycle (cycling) journey
＜Recommended for＞
・You want travel while enjoying the local atmosphere and sights, without worrying about relative timings
・You want an active trip
・You want to experience a sense of accomplishment
There are also lots of different ways of getting to Shikoku!
The way you get to Shikoku is also one of the joys of your journey.
There are diverse routes available, including travel by plane, rail, highway bus, ferry, or car, and you can enjoy the scenery as you access the island. The trains that cross the Seto Ohashi Bridge, a drive along the Shimanami Kaido, a trip across the sea by ferry—they all have their appeals. Head to Shikoku via a route that suits you, so you can enjoy the travel itself!
There are diverse routes available, including travel by plane, rail, highway bus, ferry, or car, and you can enjoy the scenery as you access the island. The trains that cross the Seto Ohashi Bridge, a drive along the Shimanami Kaido, a trip across the sea by ferry—they all have their appeals. Head to Shikoku via a route that suits you, so you can enjoy the travel itself!
Summary
So what do you think? This article has focused on modes of transport, sharing ways of traveling around Shikoku and their appeals, the number of days needed, and prices. Choose the best way of traveling for your own journey style, and make the most of Shikoku’s stunning scenery, culture, and gourmet dishes unique to this area. Use the link below to check out different itineraries—we hope you’ll use these for reference.
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Shikokururi is a useful and convenient website if you are traveling in Shikoku. It enables you to purchase digital tickets in Shikoku and to search for sightseeing spots. We hope you’ll make use of this alongside our website.
We recommend Shikokururi for a Shikoku journey at a reasonable price!
Shikokururi is a useful and convenient website if you are traveling in Shikoku. It enables you to purchase digital tickets in Shikoku and to search for sightseeing spots. We hope you’ll make use of this alongside our website.