Shikoku
Shikoku (四国) is one of Japan's four main islands.[1] It is the smallest island.
The island lies southeast of Honshu[2] and northwest of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Strait.
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.
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Regions[change]
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[change]
- 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[change]
- 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[change]
There are twelve original castles left in Japan and Shikoku is home to four of them.
Temples and Shrines[change]
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.
Related pages[change]
References[change]
- ↑ 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; retrieved 2012-4-6.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Kagawa prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 446; JETRO, Kagawa Prefecture, Regional Information; retrieved 2012-4-6.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Kōchi prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 538; JETRO, Kōchi Prefecture, Regional Information; retrieved 2012-4-6.
- ↑ Nussbaum, "Tokushima prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 980; JETRO, Tokushima Prefecture, Regional Information; retrieved 2012-4-6.
Other websites[change]
Media related to Shikoku at Wikimedia Commons- Murdoch's map of provinces, 1903
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