Shikoku Tours

Shikoku Castles and Culture Tour

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6

days

¥258,000

starting price

5

People max.

Matsuyama

starting place

Pricing

Gallery

Overview

There are twelve castles in Japan with main towers dating back to the Edo period, and of these, four are in Shikoku – Marugame, Matsuyama, Uwajima and Kōchi. There are also reconstructed castles and historic battle sites that repay exploration.

On this tour, you visit the original castles as well as reconstructions such as Kawanoe Castle, and battle sites like the remains of Yuzuki Castle in Dōgo. These castles are home to museums richly endowed with medieval weapons and armour, but which also strongly evoke the peacetime lives of their inhabitants.

The castle towns were, and still are, flourishing cultural centres, with pilgrimage temples and shrines, wonderful sake breweries, and expansive gardens where samurai lords relaxed when they weren’t preparing for war.

This tour uses a private vehicle with a driver who speaks some English. Breakfasts are included.

This private tour can be booked year round at your own convenience.

Who is this tour for?

This is a private tour for two people or more who are interested in history, architecture, and gardens. You’ll also learn a fair bit about sake and food. All of the places visited on the tour can only be accessed by climbing a lot of uneven steps, so you’ll need to be reasonably fit.

If you’d like to be guided on this tour (recommended), please get in touch and we’ll give you a quote.

Price

From

¥398,000 / person with 2
¥358,000 / person with 3
¥298,000 / person with 4
¥258,000 / person with 5

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Itinerary

You arrive in Matsuyama by air, rail, or bus and check into your hotel.
You walk to Dōgo Park to visit the remains of Yuzuki Castle. This was the base of the Kōno clan who dominated the Inland Sea for centuries and provided the seaborne muscle for Japan’s rulers. From Dōgo, you drive to Matsuyama Castle. Here you can choose to walk up the hill, or take the cable car or chairlift. Then you drive to Uwajima.
In the morning, you stroll up the steep hill to Uwajima Castle, and enjoy the views from the top of the keep. You also visit Tensha-en Garden. Then you drive through the beautiful scenery of southern Shikoku with a stop in Yusuhara with its dramatic statue of Sakamoto Ryōma and his companions. You arrive in Kōchi, where dinner at Hirome Market is recommended.

Included
In the morning, you visit Kōchi Castle, one of the most complete in Japan. From Kōchi, you head back into Ehime to Kawanoe Castle, which was fought over by Shikoku warlords, then by invaders from the mainland. Then you head into Kagawa Prefecture to visit Zentsū-ji, Temple No. 75 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This expansive temple was the birthplace of Kūkai, the founder of the pilgrimage. You stay in nearby Kotohira.

Included
In the morning you explore the huge complex of Konpira Shrine, climbing its many steps. Then you visit the Kinryō Sake Museum where you can enjoy a tasting. Then you drive to Marugame Castle which stands atop massive walls. You stay in Takamatsu.

Included
You explore the site of Takamatsu Castle, whose moat was once fed by the Inland Sea. Then you drive to Ritsurin Garden where the feudal lords of the region liked to relax. The tour finishes at Takamatsu Station or Takamatsu Airport.

Included

Highlights

Dōgo Arcade

A lively, covered shopping street running from Dōgo Station to Dōgo Onsen Honkan.

Dōgo

A historic area of Matsuyama, known for Dōgo Onsen, the oldest onsen in Japan.

Dōgo Park and Yuzuki Castle Site

A pleasant oasis of green in the middle of Dōgo

Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is a hilltop castle standing on the summit of Mt. Katsuyama, an imposing hill in the middle of Matsuyama.

Uwajima

Uwajima is a compact city, built around a small castle on a hill. The city was promoted as a centre of industry, education, and culture.

Uwajima Castle

Uwajima Castle is small but pretty, and it affords a wonderful view over the city.

Tenshaen Garden

Tenshaen Garden is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden southwest of Uwajima Castle. It was completed in 1866 as a place of relaxation for the 7th lord of the domain.

Yusuhara

A town in the wilds of Kōchi with a fine architectural heritage.

Hirome Market

Kōchi’s best-known place to eat.

Kōchi City

Kochi City is the capital of Kochi Prefecture known for its castle, its historic tram system, its food and the friendliness of its inhabitants.

Kōchi Castle

An attractive and very complete hilltop castle in the middle of Kōchi city.

Kawanoe Castle

Kawanoe Castle was the site of bloody battles over hundreds of years.

Temple 75, Zentsū-ji

Zentsū-ji is temple No. 75 on the Shikoku pilgrimage or Henro. The first Shingon temple in Japan, it’s renowned as the birthplace of Kūkai. It’s the largest temple complex in Shikoku with seven shrines and a pagoda. It’s counted as one of the three great sacred places related to Kūkai, along with Mt. Kōya in...

Included

- Private vehicle and driver
- Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Admissions
- Basic insurance

Excluded

- Travel to and from Shikoku
- Dinner and lunch
- Drinks
- Comprehensive personal insurance

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