Shikoku and Kyūshū
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Shikoku and Kyūshū
Shikoku is the smallest, least developed of Japan’s four main islands. To the west is Kyūshū, a larger island with a significantly different atmosphere. Here we’ll look at both islands, and discover why it’s worth your while to visit both on a single trip.
Volcanic vs. not
Shikoku is the only main island of Japan without an active volcano. That means that you won’t find any cone-shaped mountains belching smoke, nor will you encounter hot spring towns with steam rising from a hundred inns as you will on Kyūshū, a very volcanically active island. That said, Shikoku has the highest mountain in western Japan, Mt. Ishizuchi, which is the remains of a huge volcano that went extinct millennia ago. After enjoying the placid landscapes of Shikoku, it’s exciting to see the big, active volcanoes of Kyūshū, such as Aso, Unzen, and Sakurajima.
Temperate vs. subtropical
Part of both Shikoku and Kyūshū fall into temperate and subtropical zones, but lying further to the south, more of Kyūshū has the character of a tropical southern isle, with red soils, palms, and ornamental banana trees. The greenery is even lusher and brighter than on Shikoku. This affects the types of fruit and vegetables grown. Shikoku is known for its huge variety of citrus, whereas Kyūshū is celebrated for its sweet potatoes, mangoes, and other tropical fruit.
Sake vs. shōchū
In Shikoku, the sake reflects the different characters of its four regions, providing delightful variety, so a new taste sensation always awaits you at your next destination. Kōchi’s sake especially is known for its crisp dryness. Sake in Kyūshū tends to be uniformly sweet, and dare we say, insipid. However, Kyūshū is known as the home of shōchū, a distilled liquor that has its roots in the Asian mainland. Made from a variety of starches such as sweet potato, rice, soba, and even sesame, shōchū can be enjoyed on ice, or diluted with hot or cold water. Each region of Kyūshū has its big-name and lesser known brands, offering daily taste adventures.
Metropolitan vs. provincial
Kyūshū has always been an important gateway for foreign influence and today it’s more cosmopolitan than Shikoku. Whereas Shikoku’s four main cities have a strongly provincial character, Kyūshū main cities, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, are metropolitan in scale. The shinkansen bypasses Shikoku entirely, but the bullet train network on Kyūshū is growing. The influence of China can be seen in Kyūshū’s traditional architecture, and Nagasaki has a long-established Chinatown.
Kyūshū’s top tourist spots can be quite crowded in a way that Shikoku’s key attractions never are. Seeing the international crowds thronging the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangū makes an interesting contrast with the quieter precincts of Shikoku’s major shrines.
What connects Shikoku and Kyūshū
While Shikoku and Kyūshū have their attractive differences, the islands also have their commonalties. Both have excellent and varied cuisines. Both islands have been home to mountain ascetics who founded pilgrimages that are still undertaken today – the Rokugō Manzan pilgrimage around Kyūshū’s Kunisaki Peninsula and the more famous Henro of Shikoku. Both have unique accommodation options with great hospitality.
In terms of transport, Shikoku and Kyūshū are linked by several short air routes, and by more relaxed ferries. Whether you fly or sail between the two islands, the views from the plane or ferry of your upcoming destination are sure to create a surge of excitement and leave lasting memories.
Check out the Northern Kyūshū tour on our sister site for more information.
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