Shikoku Explore Shikoku with Domestic Flights and Local Transportation
Fly & Explore Shikoku!
With a regional airport in each of the 4 prefectures, the Shikoku area is easily accessible via domestic flights. Mix and match local trains, buses and scenic driving routes to explore Shikoku at your own travel style and pace. Discover bountiful nature, relax in hot springs and try your hand at local crafts!
For this itinerary, the trip begins with a flight from Singapore to Tokushima via Tokyo Haneda Airport, opening the door to a relaxed seven-day journey across all four prefectures of Shikoku, where a combination of trains, buses, sightseeing taxis or rental cars makes travelling with family smooth and flexible. You can also consider using other regional airports in Shikoku when planning your trip.
Tokushima Prefecture: Tokushima Awaodori Airport
Kagawa Prefecture: Takamatsu Airport
Ehime Prefecture: Matsuyama Airport
Kochi Prefecture: Kochi Ryoma Airport
■ Access Info
From Singapore to Haneda Airport to Tokushima Awaodori Airport
The flight from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) takes approximately 7 hours. From there, a connecting domestic flight to Tokushima Awaodori Airport (TKS) takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Tokushima Awadori Airport
After arriving at Tokushima Awaodori Airport, begin the journey with a pre-arranged sightseeing taxi. This service allows for comfortable travel even with larger luggage, while a knowledgeable local driver-guide accompanies you to key sights in the Naruto area.
About Tokushima Awaodori Airport
↓ 45 min taxi via sightseeing taxi
Naruto Strait Cruise
The first highlight is a cruise through the Naruto Strait, one of Japan’s most famous natural phenomena. During periods of large tidal movement, powerful whirlpools—some reaching up to 20 metres in diameter—form beneath the boat, offering a dramatic close-up view from the cruise boat. As whirlpool timings vary with seasons and tides, checking the tide schedule in advance is essential.
After the cruise, enjoy lunch around Naruto Park, an easy place to stretch your legs and enjoy views of the strait and surrounding coastline. Take a relaxed walk through the park before stopping for lunch nearby. Fresh seafood is a local speciality here, feel free to ask your sightseeing taxi driver for recommendations and enjoy a meal at a spot favoured by locals!
↓ 45 min taxi via sightseeing taxi
AoAwo Naruto Resort
Check in early at AoAwo Naruto Resort and take time to unwind. Depending on your mood, you can relax in the resort’s onsen or join one of its seasonal activities, such as indigo dyeing (one of Japan’s main producers of natural indigo dye is Tokushima), cycling, or hands-on experiences inspired by local culture.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel before watching a complimentary Awa Odori performance on site. There’s also a small festival-style ennichi (a traditional Japanese festival area with games and stalls), adding a playful touch that the whole family can enjoy!
With plenty to do both in and around the resort, an extra night here is a great option if your schedule allows.
↓ 30 min taxi ride/drive or 70 min bus ride
Aizome Studio Ruafu
Begin the day at Aizome Kobo Ruafu, where you can experience one of Tokushima’s most iconic traditional crafts. The prefecture has long been known for its indigo (aizome) production, and this workshop offers a relaxed, hands-on introduction to the dyeing process.
With guidance from experienced staff, you’ll learn how indigo dye is prepared and applied, with the option to dye a studio-provided item or bring your own material to personalise, an enjoyable experience for both adults and children.
↓ 10 min taxi ride/drive
Tokushima Station
After the workshop, head towards Tokushima Station for lunch. This is a great chance to try Tokushima Ramen, a local favourite known for its rich, soy-based broth and satisfying flavour. With many casual eateries clustered around the station, it is easy to find a spot that suits your pace before continuing the journey on the JR Limited Express Uzushio train.
↓ 70 min JR Limited Express (Uzushio) ride
Takamatsu Station
↓ 10 min taxi or drive / 25 min local bus ride
Ritsurin Garden
Arrive at Takamatsu Station in the mid-afternoon and settle into your hotel for a short break before heading out again to explore one of Kagawa’s most popular attractions, Ritsurin Garden!
Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan’s most celebrated historic gardens. Created as a strolling garden during the Edo period, the grounds are designed to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with winding paths that reveal changing views as you move through the landscape. Along the way, you will pass tranquil ponds reflecting the surrounding hills, graceful bridges, and meticulously pruned pine trees shaped over generations by skilled gardeners.
↓ 10 min taxi or drive / 20 min local bus ride
Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Arcade
For the evening, take a walk around Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Arcade, one of the city’s liveliest areas. This is a great place to enjoy honetsuki dori (seasoned bone-in chicken), a Kagawa specialty grilled until crisp on the outside and juicy inside.
The covered shopping arcade and surrounding streets are lined with casual restaurants, making it easy to wander to find the Japanese products and tastes you want. Choose a spot that catches your eye, enjoy a relaxed dinner and a short stroll before turning in for the night.
About Takamatsu Marugamemachi Shopping Arcade
Takamatsu Station
Start the third day at Takamatsu Station. Just a five-minute walk away, the city opens out to the Sunport Takamatsu waterfront overlooking the calm Seto Inland Sea. Within this area lies Takamatsu Port, the departure point for ferries to the surrounding islands, offering a relaxed introduction to Shikoku’s close connection with the sea and island life.
↓ 25 min taxi or drive
Nakano Udon School Takamatsu
Next, head on to one of Kagawa’s most famous foods at Nakano Udon School. Learn how authentic Sanuki udon is made, starting from kneading the dough to rolling it out, cutting the noodles, and finally enjoying them freshly cooked. The experience is designed to be welcoming to all visitors of all ages, making this a relaxed and inclusive activity that’s as enjoyable as it is delicious!
About Nakano Udon School Takamatsu
↓ 25 min taxi or drive
Takamatsu Station
↓ 40 min JR Rapid (Yosan) ride
Sanuki-Shioya Station
↓ 15 min walk
Marugame Uchiwa Museum
Continue on to Marugame City to visit the Marugame Uchiwa Museum to discover the history and craftsmanship behind Japan’s traditional flat fans. Marugame is known as Japan’s leading production centre for uchiwa fans and said to be one of their earliest places of origin. The museum introduces techniques that have been passed down through generations. Watch demonstrations of how bamboo frames and washi paper are carefully assembled or join a hands-on workshop (reservation required) to create your own fan.
↓ 15 min walk
Marugame Station
↓ 70 min Limited Express Kochi (Dosan) ride
Oboke Station
Oboke Iya Onsenkyo
Arrive in the late afternoon at Oboke Iya Onsenkyo where you will spend the night. This spot is a hidden hot spring village set amid deep valleys and dramatic river gorges. Often described as one of Shikoku’s secret regions, the Iya Valley offers a striking contrast to the cities visited earlier in the journey.
After checking in to one of the accommodations, take time to relax and enjoy the serene mountain surroundings. It is an ideal place to slow down, unwind, and prepare for the scenic adventures that await.
JR Oboke Station
↓ 40 min by Shikoku Kotsu Bus
Kazurabashi Yumebutai bus stop
↓ 5 min walk
Iya-no-Kazurabashi
After checking out of the hotel, travel deeper into the Iya Valley to visit Iya Kazurabashi, one of Japan’s most iconic vine bridges. Traditionally built using wild vines, this 45-metres bridge spans across a steep gorge high above the river below and gently sways as you cross, adding a sense of adventure to the experience. Take time to take in the gorgeous surrounding mountain scenery and the soothing sound of the river flowing beneath your feet, a memorable moment that captures the remote spirit of the Valley.
↓ 30 min Shikoku Kotsu Bus
Obokekyo bus stop
Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat
After a morning of hiking in nature, step aboard and enjoy a relaxing boat ride through the narrow gorge, where sheer rock cliffs rise dramatically on both sides. The slow pace of the ride allows you to fully appreciate the natural beauty shaped by the Yoshino River over thousands of years.
About Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat
Obokekyo bus stop
↓ 6 min Shikoku Kotsu Bus
Oboke Station
↓ 50 min Limited Express Kochi (Dosan) ride
Kochi Station
↓ 10 min taxi or drive / 30 min walk
Kochi Castle
Arrive at Kochi Station in the afternoon and check in at your hotel in the city centre. Take a short rest before heading out to Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s few original castles to retain its main keep. The castle grounds offer a pleasant walk and a glimpse into Kochi’s history of the samurai era.
↓ 8 min walk
Hirome Market
In the evening, visit Hirome Market, a lively food market popular with both locals and visitors. Try katsuo no tataki (seared bonito), Kochi’s signature dish, along with a variety of other regional specialities. The shared seating and casual atmosphere make it easy to enjoy a relaxed dinner while soaking up the local energy of the city.
Kochi Station
↓ 70 min sightseeing taxi or drive
Niyodo River
After breakfast, set off from Kochi City towards the mountains in a sightseeing taxi! Spend the late morning exploring the Niyodo River area, stopping at scenic spots such as Nikobuchi, Nakatsu Gorge, or Yasui Gorge. Surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs, the river’s crystal-clear water creates unforgettable views throughout the year. Take a leisurely walk along the riverbanks and enjoy lunch nearby while soaking in the peaceful natural setting.
↓ 30 min taxi or drive
Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD
Arrive in the afternoon at Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD, a riverside complex dedicated to Kochi’s traditional papermaking culture. The village also features a restaurant and a spacious souvenir area, making it a convenient rest stop for travellers on long drives. Here, you can join a washi papermaking experience, learning the techniques behind this delicate craft.
After the workshop, settle down in the accommodation within the complex and enjoy a soothing soak in the onsen. After that, you can choose to take part in the various activities offered by the property, an ideal way to unwind after a day of nature exploration.
About Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD
↓ 120 min drive
UFO Line
Depart in the morning and drive towards Ehime Prefecture via the UFO Line, a spectacular mountain road known for its sweeping views and dramatic ridgelines. The scenery has also made it a filming location for commercials and a popular driving route, with panoramic views that make the journey itself a highlight of the day.
*Note that the route is closed from late November to early April each year
↓ 100 min drive via UFO Line
Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway
Arrive around late morning at the Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway, which provides access to the slopes of Mt. Ishizuchi, western Japan’s highest peak. The ropeway offers an approximately eight-minute ride from the foot of the mountain up to a higher elevation, with sweeping views as it climbs steeply along the mountainside. At the upper station, you can enjoy fresh alpine air, short walking paths, and viewpoints overlooking the surrounding landscape, an easy way to experience dramatic mountain scenery before continuing on to lunch and the next destination.
↓ 120 min drive
Dogo Onsen
Reach Dogo Onsen in the late afternoon and check in at your accommodation. After settling in, take time to explore the historic onsen district, including the iconic Dogo Onsen Honkan, one of Japan’s oldest and most atmospheric bathhouses. A stroll through the surrounding streets offers a relaxed end to the day, with traditional shops, cafés, and the nostalgic charm of this famous hot spring town.
↓ 30 min taxi or drive
Matsuyama Airport
After checking out of your accommodation in Dogo Onsen, it’s time to head home with a smooth transfer to Matsuyama Airport. From there, fly to Haneda Airport before an onward connecting flight to Singapore.
Article created in cooperation with Shikoku District Transport Bureau.
as of 28 January 2026
