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
äºè®ç· on the west coast, from Okayama to Takamatsu and Uwajima via MatsuyamaJR Dosan Line
åè®ç· across the center of the island, from Okayama and Takamatsu to Kubokawa via the Oboke gorge near Iya Valley and KochiJR KÅtoku Line
é«å¾³ç· on the east coast, from Takamatsu to TokushimaFor heavy travel, JR offers the Shikoku Free Kippu åå½ããªã¼ãã£ã· (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 åå½åçºè¦æ©ãã¯ãã£ã· (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.