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Shikoku Four-Prefecture Road Loop: Route Guide

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Ritsurin Garden's pines and bridges
Photo: KimonBerlin · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Circle Shikoku by car in six days, linking Takamatsu's parks and waterfront, Tokushima's riverfront, Kōchi's castle-town streets and Matsuyama's heritage neighbourhoods. Each of the island's four prefectures brings a different city to explore on foot. Iya Valley, hot-spring bathing and the full 88-temple pilgrimage need their own time and plans.

Shikoku Four-Prefecture Road Loop is a 500 km loop (self-drive). It works best as a 6-day trip; the plan below is the 6-day version for May, built from 153 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

6
days
500km
distance
4
Stops
153
curated stops

View ready-made plans 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Takamatsu public garden and culture base→ 75 kmTokushima public culture day→ 155 kmKōchi public castle-city day→ 150 kmMatsuyama public heritage base

What you'll see

Ritsurin Park
Enjoy serene landscapes and stunning views in this expansive Japanese garden.
Takamatsu public garden and culture base
Tokushima Castle
Explore castle ruins and enjoy city views from a tranquil garden.
Tokushima public culture day
Kochi Castle
Explore one of Japan's few original white castles with historic grounds.
Kōchi public castle-city day
Matsuyama Castle
Explore one of Japan's three remaining multi-wing flat hilltop castles.
Matsuyama public heritage base
Takamatsu Art Museum
Explore changing special art exhibits featuring works by renowned artists.
Takamatsu public garden and culture base
Tokushima Prefectural Museum
Explore hands-on natural and geological exhibits from Shikoku's past.
Tokushima public culture day
Tosa Shrine
Visit an ancient shrine mentioned in Japan's first historical records.
Kōchi public castle-city day
Isaniwa Shrine
Admire Shinto Hachiman-zukuri architecture on Dōgo Hill.
Matsuyama public heritage base

Choose your length

6-day plan36 stops · 15.8 h transit6 stops/day · 2.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: April, May, October, November

Use the published road season and check current roads, weather, public access and every optional activity separately.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans