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Matsuyama Castle: A Majestic Fortress in the Heart of Matsuyama
In 1687, the pilgrim and guidebook author Shinnen recorded the vista he saw from the Misaka Pass, just outside Matsuyama. “Looking down, Matsuyama Castle stands out majestically. The broad beaches of...
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Temple 3, Konsen-ji: the Temple of the Golden Spring
The pilgrimage path between Temples 2 and 3 traces ancient routes through rice fields and past country homes. Stone signposts with carved hands point the way. Amidst idyllic rural scenes, the sound of...
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Temple 2, Gokuraku-ji: the Temple of Perfect Bliss
Just off a busy prefectural highway, a brilliant vermillion gate leads into an oasis of calm. Welcome to Gokuraku-ji, the Temple of Profound Bliss, Temple 2 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Gokuraku-ji...
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Yashima: Discover the Magic of Takamatsu’s Historic Mountain
Mt. Yashima, the anvil-shaped mesa that stretches out over the horizon across in Takamatsu, is one of Shikoku’s most iconic sites. Home to one of the 88 Temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, samurai...
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Biwa Falls: A Hidden Waterfall with a Samurai Legend
Tucked away in the misty mountains of Tokushima, Biwa Falls is the kind of place that makes you feel as though you have stepped into a movie.Located in the remote and beautiful Iya Valley, this roughly...
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Garyu Sanso: Kyoto Without the Crowds
There are places in Japan that feel like they were designed for slowing down.Garyu Sanso, tucked beside the Hijikawa River in the historic town of Ozu, Ehime, is one of them.Often described as the...
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Katsuo no Tataki: Kochi’s Straw-Seared Bonito — History, Culture, and Recipe
Shikoku is known for its mountains, rivers, and slow, gentle way of life—but along the coast, there is a dish that burns with dramatic energy: Katsuo no Tataki, bonito seared over blazing straw.Long...
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Shimanto River: Japan’s Last Clear Stream in Rural Shikoku
Most travelers to Japan follow the same line between Tokyo and Kyoto. The Shimanto River runs somewhere else entirely — deep into rural Shikoku, where a river still runs clear enough to earn the name...
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Japan’s Largest Sunday Market: 4 Reasons to Visit Kochi
No place does a Sunday Market quite like Kochi. In fact, it’s the biggest in Japan! Just when you thought Kochi couldn’t get any more wholesome, Kochi comes and delivers Japan’s largest Sunday market!...
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1,363 Steps to Konpira-san: Kagawa’s Shrine of Sea and Ghosts
Some pilgrimages you make on a train. This one you make on your knees, more or less — a stone staircase climbing up the side of a sleepy Kagawa mountain toward a shrine that has been catching the...
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The Closest Thing to Time Travel in Japan: A Perfect Day in Uchiko
Conveniently accessible from Matsuyama City, Ehime, Uchiko’s Yokaichi-Gokoku Historic District is a charming destination featuring a beautifully preserved landscape that still echoes the Edo and Meiji...
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Ritsurin Garden: A Living Masterpiece of Every Season
No matter what time of year you visit Kagawa Prefecture, there’s one destination that should always be on your itinerary: Ritsurin Garden. Located in the heart of Takamatsu, this stunning landscape has...
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Ozu Castle: Step Into Samurai History
Perched above the gentle Hijikawa River in the charming castle town of Ozu, Ozu Castle is one of Ehime Prefecture’s most remarkable historical treasures. While Japan is famous for its magnificent...
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Iya Valley Kazura Vine Bridge：Cross Japan’s Most Thrilling Bridge
If you’re searching for one of Japan’s most unforgettable hidden gems, look no further than the Iya Valley Kazura Vine Bridge. Suspended high above the emerald waters of the Iya River, this remarkable...
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Indigo Dyeing in Tokushima, the Heartland of Japan Blue
Walking into Yamauchi Indigo Workshop, the first thing most people notice is the smell. The distinct aroma of ammonia wafts up from vats of purplish, iridescent liquid. It’s a by-product of the complex...
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Uchikoza: A Theatre Frozen in Time
Step back in time to Japan’s Taisho Era and explore the remarkable story of the Uchikoza Theatre in Ehime. Built in 1916 by a prosperous, arts-loving community, this historic landmark survived...
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Kochi Castle: Samurai History and Zen Gardens
After years of war, samurai battles, and a civil war, only 12 original castles remain in Japan, and Shikoku has four! This week, I’ll be starting a series on the four original castles of Shikoku,...
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Japanese Spirituality: Beyond Shinto and Buddhism in Shikoku
From Japan’s high-tech cities to its quiet countryside, signs of Japanese spirituality are everywhere. Even in the concrete maze of Tokyo, stone Buddha statues and neighborhood shrines are spaces of...
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Discovering Konpira Grand Theatre
Tucked away in the mountains of Kagawa lies a hidden gem many locals don’t even know about, the Konpira Grand Theatre, the oldest Kabuki performance hall in Japan. Every year, tucked away in the lush...
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Adventure Travel in Japan: Discover Shikoku
Shikoku, the smallest and wildest of Japan’s four main islands, has been a place to return to oneself for centuries. Its natural splendor, living spiritual practices, and authentic traditions make it...
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