Shikoku Travel Diary

This 11-day trip to Shikoku, Japan, started from Osaka. All flights and hotels were booked seamlessly through Trip.com, offering a quick and easy booking process. Additionally, all hotels provided free cancellation, greatly enhancing the flexibility and peace of mind for the trip. Shikoku has become a new travel hotspot in Japan in recent years, especially popular for self-driving tours. It allows travelers to deeply experience the natural beauty and immerse themselves in the local culture. On April 12th, we departed from Hong Kong and arrived at Kansai International Airport. From there, we took the Nankai RAPIT Express directly to Osaka city center. The first night was spent at Sanrriott Shinsaibashi, conveniently located near restaurants and shopping malls. On the second day, we indulged in shopping at Shinsaibashi, enjoyed crab dishes at Dotonbori, and admired the light art at teamLab Botanical Garden in the evening. The third day coincided with the second day of the Expo 2025 Osaka opening. We specifically planned a visit to explore the China Pavilion, Gundam Pavilion, and Japan Lifestyle Pavilion, experiencing the cultural features and cutting-edge technologies of different countries firsthand—it was truly impressive. On the fourth day, we reserved a full day to enjoy Universal Studios Japan. We pre-purchased Fast Passes for Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World through Trip.com. Although the price was slightly higher than regular tickets, it saved us from long queues. Popular attractions like Super Mario were easily accessible, making the experience more enjoyable and time-efficient. On the fifth day, we drove for two hours from Osaka to Suzuka Circuit. We had already purchased Suzuka Circuit experience tickets via Trip.com. Driving a small race car on the actual F1 track, even at a maximum speed of only 40 km/h, was an unforgettable experience. The sense of speed and immersion gave us a taste of what it feels like to be an F1 racer. In the following days, we continued our self-driving tour across Shikoku. Strawberry picking on Awaji Island was particularly memorable—not only could we pick strawberries ourselves, but we also enjoyed fresh strawberries with hot coffee right in the strawberry field, which was incredibly relaxing. We then headed to Kotohira Onsen and stayed at the newly opened Oyado Shikishima-kan. The highlight was the four free private baths available for reservation, allowing us to fully enjoy the hot spring experience. Later, we visited the Cloud Edge Temple Mountain Park, where the Sky Swing and Sky Frame are must-tries. The panoramic view from the mountaintop was breathtaking and romantic, perfect for taking photos. We also explored Oboke Gorge and the Double Vine Bridges of Iya Valley, marveling at Shikoku's magnificent gorges and pristine forest landscapes. At Matsuyama Castle, visitors could dress up in samurai costumes for free and take photos, fully immersing themselves in the local historical and cultural atmosphere. For accommodation near Dogo Onsen, we chose the newly opened Furuyu-en Haruka Ryokan, located right behind the Dogo Onsen Honkan. The ryokan offered modern and comfortable facilities, and the quality of the hot springs was excellent. As for the legendary bathhouse in "Spirited Away," which was inspired by Dogo Onsen, it is actually just a regular hot spring. There's no need to pay for entry; taking photos outside is sufficient. Lastly, we visited Ryugado Cave, one of Japan's three major limestone caves. The stalactite formations inside were spectacular and mysterious, leaving a lasting impression. In the final days, we went on a shopping spree at Kobe Mitsui Outlet and returned to Osaka to continue enjoying various local delicacies. All arrangements for the trip were effortlessly completed through Trip.com, making last-minute changes and flexible adjustments incredibly convenient. Trip.com has become my go-to platform for booking tickets and accommodations for future travels. Shikoku's natural scenery and cultural charm are absolutely worth a visit.