Shikoku

Shikoku  is the smallest of Japan's four main islands.Library of Congress Country Studies, Japan (LOC),"Geography". Retrieved 2012-2-13.  About 4 million people live there, fewer than on any of the other main islands. 

The island lies south of HonshuNussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2002). "Shikoku" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 857. and east of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Strait. A bridge connects it to Honshu. 

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.

Regions 
Shikoku region covers the entire island.LOC, "Shikoku". Retrieved 2012-2-13.

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 westNussbaum, "Ehime" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 170; Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO),  Ehime Prefecture, Regional Information. Retrieved 2012-4-6.
Kagawa, formerly Sanuki Province – to the northNussbaum, "Kagawa prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 446; JETRO,  Kagawa Prefecture, Regional Information . Retrieved 2012-4-6.
Kōchi, formerly Tosa Province – to the southNussbaum, "Kōchi prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 538; JETRO, Kōchi Prefecture, Regional Information . Retrieved 2012-4-6.
Tokushima, formerly Awa Province – to the eastNussbaum, "Tokushima prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 980; JETRO, Tokushima Prefecture, Regional Information . Retrieved 2012-4-6.

Cities 
 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 
 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
There are twelve original castles that are left in Japan and Shikoku is home to four of them. 
 Marugame Castle, Marugame
 Kōchi Castle, Kochi
 Matsuyama Castle
 Uwajima Castle, Uwajima.

Temples and Shrines
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
 Provinces of Japan
 Prefectures of Japan
 List of regions of Japan
 List of islands of Japan

References

Other websites 

  Murdoch's map of provinces, 1903

Category:Islands of Japan
Category:Shikoku region