SHIKOKU 四国

Shikoku Island is the smallest of the four main islands of Japan, much of its landscape is mountainous and unlike the other three major islands of Japan, Shikoku has no volcanoes.

The island is connected to Honshu by three multiple-span overwater bridges constructed in the late 20th century: the Ōnaruto Bridge in the east, the Seto Great Bridge in the northeast-central area, and the Kurushima Strait Bridge in the northwest-central section.

The major river in Shikoku is the Yoshino River, famous for Japan's best white-water rafting. It runs from its source close to Mount Ishizuchi, reaching the sea in the city of Tokushima.

The island has been historically isolated and therefore it has kept the original characteristics of Japan for a longer period, especially in regards to vegetation and some architecture techniques.

Shikoku is also famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage. The pilgrimage was established by the ancient Buddhist priest Kūkai, a native of Shikoku. According to legend, the monk would still appear to pilgrims today.