Day 12 – Shikokuchuo (Iyo-Mishima Station) to Takamatsu (Takamatsu Station)
80km – Upon leaving Ehime Prefecture, we’ll ride into the fertile fields of Kagawa and dissect our way through some of its largest mountains before reaching the sprawling city of Takamatsu. The most important city in the region, it serves as the gateway to Honshu and has the largest port on Shikoku. A stop at Konpira-San on the way will give us one last elevated view of the island before heading back into the Chugoku region.
Threading a route through the mountains of Shikoku is not an easy task, but by staying relatively close to the coast we’ll avoid the rises and falls that define the island. We’ll cross into Kagawa which hosts the main bridge crossing to the Chugoku region of Honshu. There is one mountain we won’t avoid today though, and that is the incredible Konpira-San, formally known as Kotohira-gu.
Straddling the Kanakura river, the city of Kotohira is a bustling town filled with cafes, shops and pilgrims attempting the Shikoku Pilgrimage. While the pilgrimage itself focuses on 88 Buddhist temples of Shikoku, Kotohira-gu, which stands at the top of a 1368 step climb up Mount Zozu, is a popular side trip due to its spectacular position overlooking the island and the Seto Inland Sea. A Shinto shrine, worshippers believe that the mountains themselves are inhabited by Gods.
After exploring the shrine and descending back down the steps, we’ll enjoy one of the local cafes and then ride into Takamatsu, a sprawling coastal city that acts as the main economic and political hub of Shikoku.
Highlights
- Konpira-San (Kotohira-gu)
- Traditional Shrine Town of Kotohira
- Takamatsu City
Food & Accommodation
While not the biggest city by population on the island of Shikoku, Takamatsu is a sprawling city that acts as the economic and political hub of the island due to its proximity to Honshu. Just north-west of the city is the main bridge that crosses to Okayama, and there is also a shortcut to the east that takes you through Tokushima Prefecture, over Awaji Island, and straight into the Kansai region. With the region being known for exceptional fish, we’ll dive into a sushi meal and stay the night at another business hotel.