An In-Depth 4-Day Shikoku Itinerary.
Sharing a chill 4-day, 3-night Shikoku itinerary using the Setouchi Area Pass: From beautiful castles to a dreamy seaside train station.
If you have the Setouchi Area Pass in hand and want to cross over to experience the unique charm of Shikoku, I highly recommend it—it’s totally worth it! This trip focuses on Ehime Prefecture, a city known for its castles and ancient hot springs. Let's check out this perfectly curated plan together.
Day 1: Heading to Matsuyama, the Land of Cherry Blossoms
Starting from Kansai Airport, we took the Shinkansen to Okayama, then transferred to the JR Yosan Line Limited Express straight to Matsuyama. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea. After checking in at Hotel Vista Matsuyama, we went for a stroll at Shiroyama Park Yasuragi Square. The evening atmosphere under the cherry blossoms, complete with live garden music and food trucks, was a truly healing way to kick off the trip. Afterward, we went on a shopping spree at Okaido Shopping Street, a fantastic covered arcade that's super fun to explore.
Day 2: Stepping Back in Time at Uchiko and Ozu Castle
Today, we focused on architecture and history. We started by strolling past the mustard-colored walled houses in Uchiko, then headed over to admire the elegance of Ozu Castle. The absolute highlight was waving flags to welcome the special sightseeing train along the Hiji River—an unforgettable and deeply touching moment.
Day 3: Legendary Onsen and a Seaside Train Station
In the morning, we captured the breathtaking beauty of Matsuyama Castle surrounded by sweet pink cherry blossoms. From there, we headed to the Dogo Onsen area, stopped by to watch the dancing Botchan Karakuri Clock, and put our legs to the test by climbing the 135 steps of Isaniwa Shrine to pray for good fortune.
Don't miss out on a relaxing foot bath with a city view at Sora-no-Sanpomichi, and make sure to soak in the magical vibes of Dogo Onsen Honkan, the 100-plus-year-old wooden bathhouse that inspired a famous anime. We wrapped up the day by taking a train to Shimonada Station, one of Japan's most picturesque seaside train stations. Just sitting there, gazing at the sky meeting the deep indigo sea alongside the charming pastel blue local train, was a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
Day 4: Farewell Shikoku, Returning to Honshu
After getting our fill of Ehime, we used our pass to head back to Honshu. The pass still has remaining validity (it’s good for 7 days in total), giving us the freedom to continue traveling through Kansai, Sanyo, or even all the way to Fukuoka. It’s honestly the perfect pass for anyone wanting to fully explore both regions!