Shikoku

On foot

Serious pilgrims may choose to complete the 88 Temple Circuit see Do on foot.

By train

The JR train network connects the larger towns together fairly well, but regular trains are slow and expresses are expensive. The main lines are:

JR Yosan Line

予讃線 on the west coast, from Okayama to Takamatsu and Uwajima via Matsuyama

JR Dosan Line

土讃線 across the center of the island, from Okayama and Takamatsu to Kubokawa via the Oboke gorge near Iya Valley and Kochi

JR Kōtoku Line

高徳線 on the east coast, from Takamatsu to Tokushima

For heavy travel, JR offers the Shikoku Free Kippu 四国フリーきっぷ (http://www.jr-eki.com/ser...), which allows unlimited usage of JR trains and buses, including limited expresses, on three consecutive days ¥15,700. If you manage to time it so that you can start on your birthday, ask for the Birthday Kippu instead, and you'll get the same deal for just ¥10,000!

For the frugal traveler, the Shikoku Saihakken Haya-Toku Kippu 四国再発見早トクきっぷ (http://www.jr-eki.com/ser...) may be a better deal, as it offers one day of unlimited travel for just ¥2,000. There are three big catches though: it's only valid on weekends and public holidays, it's limited to local trains, and you have to buy it at least one day in advance.

A new rail pass offered by JR , the San'yo-Shikoku-Kyushu Pass (http://www.jr-odekake.net...), includes unlimited travel on all JR trains in Shikoku as well as the bullet train lines and main lines west of Osaka in Chugoku and all or part of Kyushu. 5-day consecutive passes range from ¥22-25,000.

There are some other minor lines with infrequent trains. Some parts of the JR network, notably the southern segment from Kubokawa to Sukumo, have split off to the private Tosa Kuroshio Railway company.

By bus

Buses fill in the gaps in the train network and are the only means of transport in areas like Cape Ashizuri and the Iya Valley. Schedules are sparse and prices are high.