Shikoku is the Japan most people skip, which is exactly why you should go. It's where you'll find contemporary art on quiet islands, remote valleys where vine bridges cross emerald gorges, centuries-old breweries, and craft towns where you can learn paper making or blacksmithing from multi-generational artisans.

This isn't temple pilgrimage Shikoku. This is Tadao Ando museums you get to explore after everyone else has left. Roadside stalls selling grilled mackerel and regional snacks. The Iya Valley, where scarecrows outnumber people. Indigo dyeing workshops, sake tastings, and hot spring towns that have been around for hundreds of years.

The guide covers three itineraries across three prefectures, plus hundreds of recommendations for what to eat, drink, see and do. This is perfect for those who want to rent a car, get deep into an unexplored part of Japan, and be ready to take things slower.