Beautiful World Escapes - Shikoku: A Photographic Journey

SHIKOKU:
A PHOTOGRAPHICJOURNEY

Copyright 2018 - All rights reserved.

In no way is it legal to duplicate, copy, or transmit any part of this document in either electronicmeans or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this
document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

The information provided herein is stated to be truthful and consistent, in that any liability, in termsof negligence or otherwise, by any usage or abuse of any policies, processes, or directions containedwithin is the solitary and utter responsibility of the recipient reader. Under no circumstances willany legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any reparation, damages, or

monetary loss due to the information herein, either directly or indirectly.

Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainmentpurposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable completeinformation. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that theauthor is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.

Introduction
EHIME PREFECTURE:
KAGAWA PREFECTUREKOCHI PREFECTURE
TOKUSHIMA PREFECTURE:Author Information

Introduction

Shikoku is one of four main islands that make up Japan (the others being Honshu, Hokkaido,and Kyushu). Situated off the southern coast of Honshu, Shikoku sits between the Seto Inland Seaand the Pacific Ocean and has close political, social, and cultural links with many of the larger citiessuch as Kobe, Osaka, and Hiroshima, all of which are within close driving distance.

The island consists of four prefectures Ehime, Kochi, Kagawa, and Tokushima all ofwhich has their own distinctive characteristics. Although the side that faces the Pacific Ocean seesmore rainfall than the region facing the Seto Inland Sea, the entire island enjoys a warm, pleasantclimate throughout the year. As a result, not only is rice grown on the island, but oranges, satsumas,and other citrus fruits. From a distance, these small orange and lemon fruits create a spectacular siteamongst the lush green scenery.

Mountains run down along the spine of the island, with Mount Ishizuchi the tallest on theisland. It stretches to a height of 1,982 meters high and is referred to as the Roof of Shikoku. At thetop of the mountain is the Ishizuchi Shrine, a small shrine that has been worshipped at for centuries.The source of the Yoshino River is situated near Mount Ishizuchi and flows west to east, windingthrough the countryside past small villages and vibrant towns in Kochi and Tokushima prefectures to eventually reach the sea at Tokushima City.

Tokushima City is the capital of Tokushima Prefecture and is connected to Honshu by theAkashi-Kaikyo and Naruto Bridges. Home to the Awa Ordori Dance Festival, the vine bridges in IyaValley, and the Naruto Whirlpools, Tokushima can be characterised as a place where Mother Naturemeets culture. Beautiful mountainous and ocean scenery offer a wealth of activities to enjoy.

Ehime Prefecture, located in the northwestern part of the island, was known as Iyo Provincein the past. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, the coastline is dotted with countless islands of all shapes and sizes, some inhabited and others left to Mother Nature. Around seven percent of Ehime is designatedNatural Parks, including the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. One of the major attractions in thisprefecture is the Dogo Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Japan with a history that stretches back 3,000 years. The traditional architecture blends in perfectly with the contrasting modern architecture,creating a spectacular sight. The rest of the area is blessed with an abundance of natural scenery; thesea, the rivers, and the mountains sit in perfect harmony with the many historical and cultural buildings and attractions.

Located in the north of the island, Kagawa Prefecture is the smallest prefecture in Japan butits reputation and history far exceed its physical size. Its most famous attraction, aside from its aweinspiring scenery, is Ritsurin Gardens. These gardens were established for the local daimyo and takethe breath away on first glance with their endless shades of greenery. They are particularly popular in the summer when the greenery is particularly vibrant, and in the autumn when they transform into shimmering hues of reds, golds, and russets. Art is a vital part of Kagawas personality. In recentyears, several islands scattered within the Seto Inland Sea have hosted Setouchi Triennale, an international contemporary art festival, which aimed to boost tourism in the area. Many of theartworks displayed have been permanently installed in both outdoor and indoor exhibitions,resulting in a rather artistic and intriguing atmosphere.

Kochi Prefecture has several coastal cities where much of its population lives, but much of itsinland area still retains a relatively unspoilt character, scattered with historic buildings, Buddhisttemples, and Shinto shrines. Ancient forests hide a wealth of natural and man-made attractions justwaiting to be discovered.

Shikoku is famous for being the home of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Route. This pilgrimageroute is made up of 88 temples where Kobo Daishi (774 835), also known as Kukai, studied, trained,and established places of worship. Kobo Daishi is credited with introducing Buddhism into Japan and throughout the centuries, the pilgrimage route has been walked by countless politicians,members of the imperial family, religious figures, and devotees. Even today, the faithful still walk thehistoric route wearing the iconic hats and holding walking sticks as they travel in the footsteps of theman who changed the religious beliefs in the country.

Discover the majestic beauty of Shikoku within these pages, from the vibrant cities of Takamatsu and Tokushima City, to the scenic trails of the lush, green-covered mountains burstingwith vividly-coloured flowers. Discover quiet, ancient temples to grand castles that protected theisland from invaders. Discover an island that takes the best of humanitys creative forces and thespectacular creation of the natural world.

EHIME PREFECTURE:A PHOTOGRAPHICJOURNEY Copyright 2018 - All rights reserved.

In no way is it legal to duplicate, copy, or transmit any part of this document in either electronicmeans or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this
document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

The information provided herein is stated to be truthful and consistent, in that any liability, in termsof negligence or otherwise, by any usage or abuse of any policies, processes, or directions containedwithin is the solitary and utter responsibility of the recipient reader. Under no circumstances willany legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any reparation, damages, or

monetary loss due to the information herein, either directly or indirectly.

Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainmentpurposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable completeinformation. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that theauthor is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.

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