There are a number of unusual places and surprising land formations in Shikoku that provoke people to say, “What can that be?” One example is the Naruto Whirlpools. In the middle of the sea, large whirlpools appear on a regular basis. These whirlpools can reach up to 20 meters in diameter. The Onaruto Bridge which connects Shikoku to Awaji Island passes over the whirlpools. Visitors can walk along a walkway on the lower part of the bridge called Uzu no Michi which allows them to look down 45 meters to the sea below. Some other naturally formed landscapes include the Shikoku Karst and the Oboke and Koboke gorges. The Shikoku Karst is a plateau located 1400 meters above sea level, and limestone formations show their heads all over the plateau. In addition to these large rocks, a variety of highland plants can also be observed. The Oboke and Koboke gorges were formed by the rushing waters of the Yoshinogawa River. The river bends and twists around huge boulders and oddly-shaped rocks. The rushing water is a popular spot for whitewater rafting.

In the same Iya Valley where the Oboke and Koboke Gorges are located, are some famous bridges called Kazura Bashi. The bridges are made of actinidia arguta vines, and they are suspended 14 meters above the river, with a 42 meter long otoko bashi (men’s bridge), and a 20 meter long onna bashi (women’s bridge). The two bridges are constructed like a horizontal rope ladder with hand rails attached. It takes a certain degree of courage to cross the bridges. Even further into the mountains is another method of crossing the river, a manual ropeway called a “yaen”. There are no restraining walls in the carriage, so it’s quite a thrilling ride.

In contrast, a landscape uncommon in Japan can be seen near the sea. With buildings resembling Greek temples on the Taiyo-no-Oka Park and in the Olive Park, Shodoshima Island makes one think of the Mediterranean. Even the climates of the Seto Inland Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are similar. Thus, olives are cultivated in this region and wine from grapes grown in Shikoku is made at the Sanuki Winery. Fitting of a region which can be called “Japan’s Mediterranean,” Greek-style buildings can be seen here.

Two of the most well-known festivals are the Awa Odori festival and the Yosakoi Festival. Awa Odori consists of dance troupes called “ren” who dance down the streets to the accompanying sound of drums and shamisen (a three-stringed instrument similar to a banjo). The festival has been compared to the Carnival in Rio for its high energy and passion. Major corporations and famous entertainers form dance troupes and participate in the festival. The festival itself is held in the summer, but at the Awa Odori Hall, visitors can experience the Awa Odori dance all year-round.

When it comes to enthusiasm, the Yosakoi Festival can’t be beat. Dancers hold wooden clappers called naruko, and dance accompanied by modern-style music. Groove-wise, it’s even livelier than Awa Odori. Famous entertainers also participate in this festival.

In addition, there are action-packed festivals such as the Niihama Taiko Festival and the Saijo Festival where participants carry around large decorative portable shrines called “danjiri” and “taiko-dai” and crash them into one another.