The scenic island of Shikoku is less well visited than Honshu and exploring here may mean getting a little more off the beaten track in Japan.

There are some fantastic attractions in Shikoku though, including the castle city of Matsuyama with its historic Dogu Onsen, the 88 Temples which make up a popular pilgrimage route and the Iya Valley famous for its vine bridges.

Further south still are some of the best beaches in Japan. A trip to Shikoku may reveal something of the historic spiritual side of Japan.