Blog
-
Shikoku Cycling: The Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Cycling Trip in Japan
When people think of Japan’s most iconic cycling route, the first place that often comes to mind is the famous Shimanami Kaido, the spectacular chain of brid... -
Experience Awa Odori, Tokushima’s Legendary Dance Festival
If you're planning a trip to Shikoku and you haven't looked up the Awa Odori festival yet, stop everything. This is the reason to book your flights. Every Au... -
Shikoku Food: an Insider’s Guide to the Best Shikoku Cuisine
Shikoku is a hidden culinary paradise waiting to be discovered. As specialists and guides who know the area well, we at Shikoku Tours coordinate many food-fo... -
The 300-Year-Old Saijo Festival in Ehime
In the mountains and valleys of Shikoku, centuries-old traditions are the lifeblood of many small communities. In a country steeped in Shinto tradition, fest... -
Experience the Iya Valley: Mountain Offerings and Local Tea
Deep in Shikoku's Iya valley region, the village of Shigesue clings like a horseshoe to a hoof-shaped cluster of mountains. The Ishikawa household sits on th... -
Explore Japan’s Hidden Gem: Shikoku Seiyo Geopark in Ehime Prefecture
Discover the Shikoku Seiyo Geopark, a stunning natural heritage site encompassing the entire city of Seiyo in Ehime, Japan. Located on the beautiful island o... -
Waterfall Training and Misogi in Shikoku
Buddhist priest Ryōkei Kume has guided visitors through takigyō (waterfall training) for over twenty years. He takes reservations in any season, even deep wi... -
Hidden Cherry Blossom Gems in Seiyo, Ehime
Why not escape the crowds and experience the authentic spring of Japan? While many flock to major cities, Shikoku Island offers a more peaceful and breathtak... -
Purifying Fire: the Goma Offering Ritual
Crackling flames cast an orange glow on the fearsome Buddha before the altar. The smell of fragrant smoke fills your nostrils. The pounding of the taiko drum... -
What is Shugendō? Mountain Practice in Plain Language
The craggy cliffs of Mt. Ishizuchi, Shikoku’s tallest mountain, are draped in heavy iron chains. White-clad practitioners of Shugendō, “the Path of Cultivati...
