Nice piece on Shikoku
 

Current issue of National Geographic Traveler has a really nice piece on Japan's Shikoku island, which doesn't see a lot of foreign travelers:

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com...apan-traveler/

Yes, I read that - very interesting but it seems a car would be necessary at least for the itinerary from the article....although other parts of Shikoku are more accessible with public transport....

Yes, I visited Takamatsu and Tokushima by public transport, but from the guidebooks it looked the interior needed a car. Unless you were doing the pilgrim circuit on foot, of course....

Takamatsu looks interesting as does the nearby island Naoshima....did you get there?
Shikoku is on my to-do list.....;-)

No, I was mostly there for the garden. See: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...atural-garden/

Thanks for the link - I've read your recent Btrip report along with the photos but don't remember the Japan one.....

Yes, it was a nice article. I was in Shikoku at New Year a long time ago, all dressed up in kimono and going round lots of the 88 shrines. It's a real pilgrimage route. Got there by ferry from Okayama I think, way before there was a bridge. It must have opened up a lot as a result.

Yes very nice article. Iya Valley is on our long list when we get back to Shikoku this time to rent a car and drive for about a week.

I have also found the many hearts that Japan has to offer.......its what keeps us going back.

Aloha!