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Shikoku Four-Prefecture Road Loop: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 6-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · best time to go.

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6
days
500 km
distance
15.8 h
driving
36
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Takamatsu public garden and culture base

6 curated stops
Transit
0h34
Finish
~15:50
Temperature
13.6°C–22.9°C
Rainy days
~19
Daylight
13.8h
09:00
Takamatsu public garden circuit japan.travel map ↗
Use confirmed-open public garden, castle-park and civic access; admission areas, islands and ferries stay optional.
50 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
10:00
Takamatsu public return circuit japan.travel map ↗
Complete the loop with confirmed-open public waterfront, park and civic access; islands, ferries and paid venues stay optional.
50 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
11:00
Takamatsu Art Museum city.takamatsu.kagawa.jp read more map ↗
Explore changing special art exhibits featuring works by renowned artists.
50 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base · Permanent exhibit ¥200, special exhibits are priced separately
open: 09:30-17:00 (special exhibits often open until 7PM)
12:00
The Kagawa Museum pref.kagawa.lg.jp read more map ↗
Discover Kagawa's rich history and culture through diverse exhibits.
50 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base · ¥400
open: Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00, closed Dec 27-Jan 1, closed Golden Week
13:00
Takamatsu Symbol Tower symboltower.com read more map ↗
Take in panoramic sea and peninsula views from observation decks.
50 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base
14:00
Ritsurin Park ritsuringarden.jp read more map ↗
Enjoy serene landscapes and stunning views in this expansive Japanese garden.
50 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base · ¥400 (adults), ¥170 (children)
open: Sunrise to sunset (varies by month)
14:50
Kawafuku lion-douri-shoutengai.com
Savor hearty bowls of Sanuki udon noodles in a cozy setting.
60 min · Takamatsu public garden and culture base
Overnight here
e.g. Toyoko Inn Takamatsu Hyogomachi · Castle Hotel Takamatsu
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening → More on Klook →

Day 2 Tokushima public culture day

6 curated stops
Transit
2h46
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
11.7°C–22.5°C
Rainy days
~23
Daylight
13.8h
10:40
Tokushima public culture circuit japan.travel map ↗
Use confirmed-open public riverfront, parks and civic heritage; dance performances, ropeways and tours stay optional.
50 min · Tokushima public culture day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
11:40
Tokushima Castle city.tokushima.tokushima.jp read more map ↗
Explore castle ruins and enjoy city views from a tranquil garden.
50 min · Tokushima public culture day · Admission to the garden and museum is ¥300 adults, ¥200 students
open: Garden and museum Tue-Sun
12:40
Awa Odori Kaikan awaodori-kaikan.jp read more map ↗
Learn about the famous dance festival through exhibits and robot shows.
50 min · Tokushima public culture day · ¥300
open: 09:00-17:00
13:45
Tokushima Prefectural Museum museum.bunmori.tokushima.jp read more map ↗
Explore hands-on natural and geological exhibits from Shikoku's past.
50 min · Tokushima public culture day · ¥200 adults, ¥50 children
open: Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00
15:05
Awa Jurobe Yashiki joruri.info map ↗
Discover bunraku puppet theater history in a former samurai residence.
50 min · Tokushima public culture day · ¥400 adults, ¥200 children
open: 09:30-17:00
16:10
Tokushima Chuo Park search map ↗
Stroll through gardens and ponds, with city views from the castle ruins.
90 min · Tokushima public culture day
Overnight here
e.g. Alpha Hotel Tokushima · JR Hotel Clement Tokushima
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening → More on Klook →

Day 3 Kōchi public castle-city day

5 curated stops
Transit
4h14
Finish
~17:35
Temperature
15.5°C–21.3°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
13.7h
12:30
Kōchi public castle-city circuit japan.travel map ↗
Use confirmed-open public castle-city, market-street and river access; interiors, food venues and remote coast trips stay optional.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
13:30
Kochi Castle kochipark.jp read more map ↗
Explore one of Japan's few original white castles with historic grounds.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥400
open: 09:00-17:00
14:35
Museum of Art, Kochi moak.jp read more map ↗
Admire Japanese and international art, including works by Marc Chagall.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥350 adults, ¥250 children
open: 09:00-17:00
15:35
Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden makino.or.jp read more map ↗
Wander six acres of diverse plants honoring Dr. Makino Tomitarou.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥500 adults, students free
open: 09:00-17:00
16:45
Tosa Shrine tosajinja.i-tosa.com read more map ↗
Visit an ancient shrine mentioned in Japan's first historical records.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · Free
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Nansui · Kochi Youth Hostel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening → More on Klook →

Day 4 Around Kōchi public castle-city day

6 curated stops
Transit
0h58
Finish
~16:15
Temperature
15.5°C–21.3°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
13.7h
09:00
Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum ryoma-kinenkan.jp read more map ↗
Explore exhibits and letters from the famed Sakamoto Ryoma.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥500
10:00
Katsurahama Aquarium katurahama-aq.jp read more map ↗
Watch fish, birds, seals, and dolphins, with lively shows.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥1100
11:05
Sekkei-ji read more map ↗
Visit the 33rd temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage with serene grounds.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day
12:20
Chikurin-ji chikurinji.com map ↗
Enjoy a quiet garden, treasure house, and iconic pagoda at this temple.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥400
open: 08:30-17:00
13:25
Harimayabashi Bridge search map ↗
Wander famous bridge tied to a tragic romantic tale.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · Free
14:25
Sakamoto Ryoma's Hometown Museum ryoma-hometown.com map ↗
Discover artifacts and stories from the life of Sakamoto Ryoma.
50 min · Kōchi public castle-city day · ¥300
open: 08:00-19:30 (museum shop closes at 18:30)
15:15
Fujinoya fujinoya-kochi.com map ↗
Indulge in top-rated katsuo no tataki, a local favorite.
60 min · Kōchi public castle-city day
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Nansui · Kochi Youth Hostel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening → More on Klook →

Day 5 Matsuyama public heritage base

5 curated stops
Transit
3h53
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
14.7°C–21.7°C
Rainy days
~22
Daylight
13.8h
12:30
Matsuyama public heritage circuit japan.travel map ↗
Use confirmed-open public castle-town and heritage access; ropeways, onsen and paid interiors stay optional.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
13:30
Matsuyama public culture circuit japan.travel map ↗
Use a second confirmed-open public park, civic and literary-heritage circuit; onsen and provider activities stay optional.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
14:30
Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum sakanouenokumomuseum.jp read more map ↗
Experience an impressive building dedicated to post-Meiji Japan’s struggles.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · ¥400 adults, ¥200 students
open: Tue-Sun 09:40-18:00, closed first Tue each month and Dec 29-Jan 3
15:30
Akiyama Brothers Birthplace akiyama-kyodai.gr.jp map ↗
Explore the legacy of Japan's military heroes, Yoshifuru and Saneyuki Akiyama.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · ¥200
open: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed 28 Dec-3 Jan
16:30
Bansuiso search map ↗
Stroll through this romantic French-style villa built for a former lord of Matsuyama Castle.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · ¥100 adults, ¥50 children
open: Tue-Sun 09:40-18:00, closed 29 Dec-5 Jan
Overnight here
e.g. Matsuyama Youth Hostel · Eco Dōgo
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening → More on Klook →

Day 6 Matsuyama public heritage base → Takamatsu public garden and culture base

6 curated stops
Transit
3h23
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
14.7°C–21.7°C
Rainy days
~22
Daylight
13.8h
09:00
Matsuyama Castle matsuyamajo.jp read more map ↗
Explore one of Japan's three remaining multi-wing flat hilltop castles.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · ¥500 adults, ¥150 children
open: 09:00-17:00, closed 29 Dec
10:00
Kōshinan Historic Park search map ↗
Visit a teahouse inspired by Bashō’s hut, built in 1790.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · Free
open: Thu-Tue 10:00-18:00
11:00
Matsuyama Central Park search map ↗
Take in panoramic views from this uniquely styled European fortress park.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · Free
open: 24 hours
12:00
Iyo Kasuri Folk Craft Museum e-hime.jp map ↗
Learn and try making traditional Iyo Kasuri cloth.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · ¥50 adults, ¥40 children
open: 08:10-16:50
13:05
Botchan Gizmo Clock search map ↗
Watch the Botchan Gizmo Clock chime hourly in Dōgo Onsen Station.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · Free
open: Chimes between 08:00-21:00
14:05
Isaniwa Shrine isaniwa.official.jp read more map ↗
Admire Shinto Hachiman-zukuri architecture on Dōgo Hill.
50 min · Matsuyama public heritage base · Free
open: 24 hours

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Use this plan → Change month, pace or interests →