12 Days In Shikoku Going Off-The-Beaten-Path - A Japan Travel Itinerary

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Our Shikoku itinerary is now available: goingawesomeplaces.com/12-day-shikoku-itinerary-japan/ If you enjoyed the video, support the channel by giving us a LIKE and leave a COMMENT down below! Before you go, also make sure you're subscribed >> goaw.pl/awesometube

[@MrEricNakamoto]

One of the best videos of Japan ever!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Aww thanks so much!!

[@plittan]

Great video. I'm going in spring and look forward to using good parts of your recommendations.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Amazing - have a great trip! Hope our video and article guide helped with planning ✌️

[@junjinsh]

thanks for this awesome video! we're going to shikoku next march for 8 days. got lots of tips from your video on what to change in our itinerary. Initially i was planning to spend half a day in Naoshima. Now will look at staying overnight to get a different experience of the sculptures. Shikoku really has so many awesome places to visit. eager to watch your other videos of Japan off the beaten track for ideas for future trips.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

I'm so glad that this video was helpful! Shameless promotion but I wish more Shikoku content was available when I was planning my trip last year so I wanted to try to show as much of it as I could in mine to help those planning it. Not sure if you saw it but we also have an article as well. There are lots more useful tidbits in there: goingawesomeplaces.com/12-day-shikoku-itinerary-japan/

[@Impavelok]

I am here from the Garden of words anime. What a nice place❤

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Love it! I haven't watched it yet but the few clips I've seen, I actually recognize some of those places!! Did they say where in Shikoku Yukari goes back to?

[@Impavelok]

@@GoingAwesomePlaces Yeah spot on dude! she goes to her hometown Shikoku

[@clementihammock7572]

Oh man, all my good old days walking memories is back. Shikoku Ohenro, Shodoshima Ohenro, Shimanami Kaido walking, hammocking and camping.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

That would be my dream of doing Shikoku that way. Kudos to you for what sounds like quite the epic time in Shikoku!

[@beanontheroad]

Thanks for sharing more off-the-beaten track options - so many of those spots look absolutely stunning 😍 so many more ideas for when I next visit Japan 🤗

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

I’ve definitely found that it’s nice to be able to mix these off-the-beaten-path places with the big cities but admittedly, even I will say that I love being in these parts of Japan where you can barely see tourists around. Hope you get to go in the future!

[@thecloudyfox]

I usually don’t consider merch from youtubers much, but your logo is awesome xD I’m considering visiting shikoku next year! I’m glad this video has information about the interior of the island because it’s super hard to find certain information online about there, such as the climate. Either way, hoping to visit all four prefectures if I do it!! there’s some obscure spots I found using google maps that I want to try in addition to what’s in the video. For example, there’s parts of shikoku without many people, so I hope I can see a beautiful night sky without much light pollution.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thank you so much 🙏. For even more info make sure to check out article as well: goingawesomeplaces.com/12-day-shikoku-itinerary-japan/ Shikoku was truly incredible. I feel like only saw the tip of the iceberg. So many hidden gems there - truly!

[@mashimil7358]

Thank you SO MUCH for this amazing and such helpful video. Loved it. So useful. So great. Thanks so much!!!!!!!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

You're welcome!! Are you planning a trip to Shikoku soon??

[@DasGav]

This is awesome!. I was going to train for most of the trip and only hire a car to go between Uwajima and Kochi, but now i want to see Ozu and Uchiko as well, so will hire a car for the week!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

@@DasGav sweet! That’s a great way to go about it. Glad the video was able to help!!

[@agondokusumo-111]

The quality of the video is amazing.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thank you! You don't know how much that means!

[@emmashowe]

This video is very well made and so fun to watch! Do many people speek english in the more rural areas? Is it a must to know some Japanese? My Japanese skills are (to say the least) very limited :D

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thank you Emma!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. So I don’t speak any Japanese at all other than the basic hello and thank you. Shikoku has even less English than other parts of Japan but I found that I could get by thanks to Google Translate. The good thing is that they’re super friendly here like the rest of the country. With good pre-planning through out itinerary you should be in great shape: goingawesomeplaces.com/12-day-shikoku-itinerary-japan/

[@maggiedeuitch9117]

The knife-making workshop looks amazing!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Definitely the top highlight of my time in Shikoku. Totally worth the detour!

[@jant3528]

Amazing video which was very fun to watch. Pretty much convinced me to go to Shikoku

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Awesome!! I’m so glad. When I put it together I wasn’t sure if it was too long or way too detailed. Thank you for dropping by!!

[@lorikretchmer3781]

Incredible itinerary! And great video editing to keep it succinct and enticing. 👍🏻🙌🏻

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thank you! That means a lot!!

[@sorchiazzo]

wonderful video! hats off!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Appreciate it. Thank you so much!

[@mlsalah8266]

Appreciate the effort you put into the video , veeery informative and tempting to do

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thank you! That means so much.

[@ThePrimest1]

How I love Japan, please do make more Japan content, loved this. Not many people give shikoku any attention. Again its amazing!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Working on it!! Glad you enjoyed this one :)

[@skipper4114]

Great Video Will. Been following you since 200-300 subs. You have seen more of Japan in a couple of trips than I have 11 times. Because for me going back is never a vacation....lol Cheers from Canada's NWT. You need to get up here to see the Northern Lights.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Aww that means so much! With KZbin I feel like it’s even harder to get to know your audience so it’s really great to hear from you, especially an OG subscriber. YES, I want to make NWT happen!!

[@platinumxv]

Probably the best quality video about traveling in Shikoku I have found. Thank you!

[@whereswalmo22]

Thank you so much fo this amazing video!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

You're welcome! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. Definitely hoping to elevate Shikoku as a destination to visit in Japan as it's still relatively unknown!

[@robertcsorba132]

Great work! :)

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thanks!!

[@yeojessie75]

Amazing video. I'm sold. Is it convenient to explore this island by public transport?

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

It’s a beautiful place in Japan. I’d say public transportation is certainly possible but you’ll need to do your homework to understand the bus schedule especially in Iya Valley but we met many people along the way that were relying on it. There’s also the railway and that is always very reliable especially with the Shikoku Rail Pass. Within towns, the bus/trams were also very good!

[@WhoaNellyJake]

I spent a few days in Iya Valley in 2017. It was the highlight of my trip, and that whole trip was one big highlight.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

That’s awesome! And I bet it hasn’t changed a whole lot from 2017 either right? I found so many parallels with how the Heike clan came to Iya Valley as an escape and centuries later, you can still say the same thing about the region.

[@gadish_]

This video is insane, the production level and quality of places/advices really shows how much work has been put in it, congrats and thanks you so much. It's by far the best ever travel advice/vlog video I've seen for Japan or any country really. However, I would have appreciated a more 'contemplating' editing, I really think Japan and most of your beautiful natural/cultural scenes would benefit from letting them breath a few more seconds instead of the 'aggressive cutting' editing you have done. Also with that maybe sometimes letting the sound of the nature picked up from camera take over, could make for great pauses and appreciation moments in such a dense video. I'd also appreciate having a little post-production tab showing the price of hotel nights/restaurant everytime (yen or dollars or euro w/e). Overall it would be simply perfect if you adapted the rythm of the editing to contemplation of moments instead of densifying shots and cuts. It's still a masterpiece for travelers, I hope more of this type are to come, thanks!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Appreciate the honest feedback! For my part, it’s always a challenge especially when putting together such a long video and not wanting to really break it up into smaller chunks (although I maybe should have). I think the other reality of content creation in my case is that when you’re capturing for social, KZbin, and the blog, there’s not as much time to breathe as I’d like so for efficiency, you gotta plan for quick cuts on the fly. That said, with Hong Kong I found that since I had the Pocket 3, it was much easier to speak on camera without having to stop and set up equipment. If you’re interested in the details though, that’s where the article comes in. You can check it out here: goingawesomeplaces.com/12-day-shikoku-itinerary-japan/

[@nataliedoughty6169]

Looks amazing. Was there any difficulties driving? Would you say you'd need to be familar with driving in a foreign country to do it? I look forward to the itinerary :)

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Comparing to some of my other driving experiences, I’d say this was definitely not too hard. The main challenge is driving in the mountain/valley areas where it narrows down to one lane shared with both side of traffic so you just have be careful and be courteous. The other thing is driving on the left side of the road. It might take a bit of time to get used to if it’s your first time. Lastly when renting here, make sure you get your IDP (International Driver’s Permit) as it’s a requirement to rent in Japan. Hope that helps. Itinerary is coming out soon!!

[@cycgeist]

Thank you so much for this great video and sharing your Shikoku trip! I am sure it was a lot of work to cut the video. While I enjoy watching it, I have to say that your cuts are so short. There is a new cut like every one to two seconds. I first noticed that when you were in the car. In my opinion, take your time and use longer cuts. This is such a beautiful place and you have captured beautiful footage. This impression will stay and at the same time will be more easy to watch with longer cuts. And this will match the calmness and the remoteness of this place, I'd say. You don't need all of the cuts. Still, thank you for the video.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thanks for the feedback! Always a challenge with all of the footage I captured and what was already a really long video but I’ll definitely keep that in mind to give it that breathing room. Thanks again!

[@visit_uchiko]

Thank you for visiting Uchiko town! Sorry for late comment. Next time, I hope you stay a few nights and explore more sites in this area:)

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

@@visit_uchiko I had an amazing trip and enjoyed our time in Uchiko. Hope to be back in the future!

[@edvhollywood4544]

Just in time start your exact trip thursday

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Amazing!! Have a great trip!!

[@mossygreenlog]

I spent a whole week there in 2007. I wish I had been able to do 4K/HD vids of that trip. Guess I'll have to repeat it.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

That must've been an incredible trip. Did you also have a rental car or did you get around by train/bus? I guess you'll just have to go back - not a bad thing right? Where was your favourite spot?

[@mossygreenlog]

​@@GoingAwesomePlaces No video, but was at least able to create a YT slideshow. Ashizuri and Muroto points were neat, but everything was great. At Ashizuri, I learned about John Manjiro a.k.a. Nakahama Majiro who is probably one of the most interesting figures in history that many people don't know about. He was fishing with friends and lost at sea when a storm blew in. They were rescued by an American whaling ship and Manjiro was then taken to the New Bedford/Fairhaven, Massachusetts area (which I was also able to visit and they have some sites there dedicated to his story).

[@MomsHealthySecrets]

Thanks for the itinerary! I'm going in 1 month and I'm basically following your itinerary but condensing it into 8 days and skipping where I need to!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Awesome!! I’m so glad! You’re going to have a great time in Shikoku! If you want more details make sure to read our article: goingawesomeplaces.com/12-day-shikoku-itinerary-japan/

[@Tea-Spin]

Hi, I'm planning to do shimanamai kaido cycling route this may and wondering what to do in Shikoku after arriving in imabari. This video really helps giving me some itinerary inspiration since video about shikoku is really not much here on youtube. I was initially only planning to stay for 2 days in Shikoku, but after watching this video, I think I'd be a waste and definitely will increase it on my itinerary there. Thank you

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Hey! I'm so glad this helped! I can totally relate because there wasn't any information online (whether on KZbin or on Google) about how to plan a trip to Shikoku so I was determined to capture it all in a way that would make logistical sense. I know this won't be exactly how you'd be doing it but hopefully it gives you an idea of what's possible. Shikoku is definitely worth exploring!

[@alicefit_ca]

Love it

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Thanks Alice!!

[@Busha69]

I've travelled Shikoku back in 2020 (I could coz I was a resident) and it's great. More challenging if you do it on public transportation only though:,) I also very much recommend to not just eat Shodoshima cows but visit Shodoshima...beautiful island with a lot to see! Seto inland sea area is honestly my favourite in the whole Japan.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

I was so impressed with the people I ran across that were doing it without a car! Yes, Shodoshima was on my shortlist but unfortunately ran out of time. The Seto Inland Sea is quite spectacular and I will have to come back!

[@MrEricNakamoto]

Hey Will, when do you think the 12 Day Shikoku Itinerary is coming out?

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Hey Eric! I’m working on it as we speak. It will definitely be out in March so stay tuned!

[@kevinallen5014]

R You missed Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu - best garden in Japan

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

I’m sad that I missed the garden! It was on my list but ended up having to skip it to make the ferry to Naoshima. I was also hoping to maybe squeeze it in if I got into Takamatsu a bit earlier after Kotohira but all of those steps took longer than I thought 😂

[@StanMoong]

May I know if it is easy to find gas station along the way?

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Great question. I didn’t have any issues with gas stations. It was easy in the big cities and also in the more remote areas. I took a more conservative approach to filling up to make sure I never got in any trouble.

[@BabesandBabies]

Were there a lot of tourists in that island ? Or is it more locals ?

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

That was the beauty of it, there was never any one point where I felt conscious of tourists around me. In the case of Iya Valley I pretty much had it all to myself. The only exception was probably Naoshima. That was the only place where it felt like tourists outnumbered locals.

[@MiroslavaSommelier]

Great. Thank you! I loved your video.

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

@MiroslavaSommelier 💕💕

[@liweiquek7382]

Do you think it is safe for single lady, don't drive, to travel alone to shikoku?

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Hi! 👋 yes, Japan is incredible safe for solo women travelers. Even without a car, you’ll be able to get around quite easily especially with the railway. The area that you’ll need to study and plan around are the bus schedules in Iya Valley and the Nakatsu Gorge areas if you’re planning on going there.

[@mossygreenlog]

@@GoingAwesomePlaces Totally agree. I've never been anywhere safer myself.

[@Fong68]

@@liweiquek7382 thank you for asking this same question coz I'm planning to travel solo in Shikoku too!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

@Fong68 have an amazing trip to Shikoku!!

[@Fong68]

@@GoingAwesomePlaces thank you for your great videos which provide lots of useful tips for my planning! 🌝

[@javy8912]

nice itinerary, but you didn't include shikoku karst!!

[@GoingAwesomePlaces]

Oh whoa, I didn't even know about this! Looking at the map, it looks like I could've done a detour from Nakatsu Gorge before driving over to Matsuyama. How was it when you went?

[@javy8912]

@@GoingAwesomePlacesI live in Ehime and go camping at Karst once a year. Beautiful sunset and night sky. Check it out next time you're here!