Shikoku
Shikoku Lua error in Module:Unicode_data at line 293: attempt to index local 'data_module' (a boolean value). is the smallest of Japan's four main islands.[1] About 4 million people live there, fewer than on any of the other main islands.
The island lies south of Honshu[2] and east of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Strait. A bridge connects it to Honshu.
Farming is a very important business in Shikoku. Citrus fruits are an important product. Shikoku is the home of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
Regions
Shikoku region covers the entire island.[3]
The name Shikoku literally means "four countries" in Japanese. Shikoku was made of four old "countries" or provinces that are now prefectures. In other words, each prefecture has a modern name and an old provincial name. The old names are still used sometimes, especially for foods, music, or art.
- Ehime, formerly Iyo Province – to the west[4]
- Kagawa, formerly Sanuki Province – to the north[5]
- Kōchi, formerly Tosa Province – to the south[6]
- Tokushima, formerly Awa Province – to the east[7]
Cities
- Kōchi – home of "Yosakoi" and many local sights
- Matsuyama, Ehime – is best known for the old hot springs at Dogo Onsen
- Takamatsu, Kagawa – the largest city in Shikoku
- Tokushima – home of the Awa Odori festival in August
- Uwajima – has a fertility shrine and wrestling bulls
- Naruto – the east gate of Shikoku.
Points of interest
- Cape Ashizuri – a scenic cape at the southernmost point of Shikoku
- Iya Valley – a remote but beautiful mountain valley
- Kotohira – the site of the Kompira-san shrine
- Mount Ishizuchi – the tallest peak in Shikoku
Castles
There are twelve original castles that are left in Japan and Shikoku is home to four of them.
Temples and Shrines
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a famous but difficult 1,647-kilometer circle around the entire island. Serious pilgrims may choose to complete the 88 Temple Circuit on foot. Other people uses buses.
Shikoku Media
Flag of Matsuyama, Ehime
Chūgoku region and Shikoku seen from the International Space Station
Geofeatures map of Shikoku
Views from Matsuyama Castle (Iyo) 20170123-5
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Flag of Matsuyama, Ehime
View of Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan from tower just before sunset
Flag of Takamatsu, Kagawa
View from Kochi Castle Keep Tower 20170122-1
Flag of Kochi, Kochi
Tokushima City View from the Top of Bizan 20200405
_20170123-5.jpg)
Related pages
References
- ↑ Library of Congress Country Studies, Japan (LOC),"Geography". Retrieved 2012-2-13.
- ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2002). "Shikoku" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 857.
- ↑ LOC, "Shikoku". Retrieved 2012-2-13.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Ehime" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 170; Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Ehime Prefecture, Regional Information[dead link]. Retrieved 2012-4-6.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Kagawa prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 446; JETRO, Kagawa Prefecture, Regional Information Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-4-6.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Kōchi prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 538; JETRO, Kōchi Prefecture, Regional Information Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-4-6.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Tokushima prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 980; JETRO, Tokushima Prefecture, Regional Information Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-4-6.
Other websites
Media related to Shikoku at Wikimedia Commons
