Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
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Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
Shikoku is the smallest and least visited of Japan’s four main islands, which is precisely its appeal. This pass covers the whole of it, including the private railways that JR passes normally exclude, which matters here because several key lines are not JR.
Unusually broad for a regional pass, because Shikoku’s network is split across several operators.
The private operator coverage is what makes this pass work. Without it you would be buying separate tickets in every city.
Shikoku is large enough that distances add up quickly and the limited express fares are not cheap. Three days covers a fast loop, five is comfortable, seven suits anyone walking sections of the pilgrimage.
Because it includes the trams, it also covers your local transport in Matsuyama and Kochi, which most regional passes do not.
Matsuyama has Dogo Onsen, among the oldest hot springs in Japan and said to have inspired the bathhouse in Spirited Away, plus one of the twelve original castle keeps.
Kochi has another original castle and the Sunday market that has run for three centuries. The Iya Valley in the interior has vine bridges strung across a gorge. Naruto has the whirlpools in the strait, and Takamatsu has Ritsurin Garden.
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage circles the island. Walking all of it takes six weeks, but individual temples are easy to reach and many visitors do a handful.
Available through overseas agents and at JR Shikoku stations including Takamatsu and Matsuyama. Reserve seats on limited express services, which can be infrequent.
Yes, the Matsuyama and Kochi tram networks are included, which is unusual for a rail pass and saves buying local tickets.
The Marine Liner from Okayama across the Seto Ohashi bridge is the usual route, though that leg is not covered by this pass.
Three days for a quick loop of the main cities, five to do it properly, seven if you are walking pilgrimage sections.
