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{{Short description|Island and region of Japan}}
{{about|the island|the dog breed|Shikoku dog|the 1999 Japanese film|Shikoku (film)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=July 2007}}
{{expand Japanese|topic=geo|date=October 2024}}
}}

{{Infobox islands
|name             = Shikoku
|native_name      = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|四国}}}}
|native_name_link = Japanese language
|native_name_lang = ja
|image= Satellite image of Shikoku in April 2018.png
|image_caption    = The island of Shikoku, Japan
|image_map= Shikoku_Region_in_Japan.svg
|location         = [[Japan]]
|coordinates      = 
|archipelago      = [[Japanese archipelago]]
|area_km2         = 18801.73
|length_km        = 225
|width_min_km     = 50
|width_max_km     = 150
|rank             = 50th
|highest_mount    = [[Mount Ishizuchi]]
|elevation_m      = 1982
|country          = {{JPN}}
|country_admin_divisions_title     = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefectures]]
|country_admin_divisions           = {{flag|Ehime}}<br />{{flag|Kagawa}}<br />{{flag|Kōchi}}<br />{{flag|Tokushima}}
|country_largest_city              = [[File:Flag of Matsuyama, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] [[Matsuyama]]
|country_largest_city_population   = 507,137<br/>(as of 1 May 2022)
|population       = 3,630,320
|population_as_of = 1 May 2022
|density_km2      = 193
|ethnic_groups    = [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
|timezone1        = [[Japan Standard Time]] ([[UTC+9]])
}}
{{nihongo|'''Shikoku'''|四国|Shikoku|{{IPA|ja|ɕi̥ꜜ.ko.kɯ, ɕi̥.koꜜ.kɯ|pron|Ja-Shikoku.ogg}}, {{lit|four provinces}}}} is the smallest of the [[List of islands of Japan#Main islands|four main islands]] of [[Japan]]. It is {{convert|225|km|mi|round=5|abbr=off}} long and between {{convert|50|and|150|km|mi|round=5|abbr=off}} wide. It has a population of 3.8&nbsp;million, the least populated of Japan's four main islands. It is south of [[Honshu]] and northeast of [[Kyushu]].<ref name=honshu2>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90C4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA16| page=16| title=The Philippine Archipelago|first=Yves |last=Boquet |publisher=Springer|year= 2017|isbn= 978-3-319-51926-5}}</ref> Shikoku's ancient names include {{nihongo||伊予之二名島|Iyo-no-futana-shima}}, {{nihongo||伊予島|Iyo-shima}}, and {{nihongo||二名島|Futana-shima}}, and its current name refers to the four former [[provinces of Japan|provinces]] that make up the island: [[Awa Province (Tokushima)|Awa]], [[Tosa Province|Tosa]], [[Sanuki Province|Sanuki]], and [[Iyo Province|Iyo]].<ref name=tourism>{{cite web |url=http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-607.pdf |title=Shikoku and Awaji Island |publisher=Japan National Tourism Organization |date=September 2011 |access-date=2013-05-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204132833/http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-607.pdf |archive-date=2013-02-04 }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Chugoku-Region-Shikoku-Japan-ISS-Space.png|thumb|220x220px|left|[[Chūgoku region]] and Shikoku seen from the [[International Space Station]]]]

Shikoku Island, comprising Shikoku and its surrounding islands,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geography {{!}} The Science of Our World |url=https://geography.com/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=geography.com}}</ref> covers about {{convert|18800|km2|sqmi|0}} and consists of four [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]]: [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime]], [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]], [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]], and [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]]. Across the [[Seto Inland Sea]] lie [[Wakayama Prefecture|Wakayama]], [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]], [[Okayama Prefecture|Okayama]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]], and [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]]s on [[Honshu]]. To the west lie [[Ōita Prefecture|Ōita]] and [[Miyazaki Prefecture]]s on [[Kyushu]].
[[File:Geofeatures_map_of_Shikoku_Japan_ja.svg|left|thumb|Geofeatures map of Shikoku]]
Shikoku is ranked as the [[List of islands by area|50th largest island by area]] in the world. Additionally, it is ranked as the [[List of islands by population|23rd most populated island]] in the world, with a population density of 193 inhabitants per square kilometre (500/sq mi).

Mountains running east and west divide Shikoku into a narrow northern subregion, fronting on the [[Seto Inland Sea]], and a southern part facing the Pacific Ocean. The ''[[Hydrangea hirta]]'' species can be found in these mountain ranges. Most of the 3.8&nbsp;million inhabitants live in the north, and all but one of the island's few larger cities are located there. [[Mount Ishizuchi]] ({{lang|ja|石鎚山}}) in Ehime at {{convert|1982|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} is the highest mountain on the island. Industry is moderately well developed and includes the processing of ores from the important [[Besshi copper mine]]. Land is used intensively. Wide alluvial areas, especially in the eastern part of the zone, are planted with rice and subsequently are double-cropped with winter wheat and barley. Fruit is grown throughout the northern area in great variety, including citrus fruits, persimmons, peaches, and grapes. Because of wheat production, [[Sanuki udon]] ({{lang|ja|讃岐うどん}}) became an important part of the diet in Kagawa Prefecture (formerly Sanuki Province) in the [[Edo period]].

The larger southern area of Shikoku is mountainous and sparsely populated. The only significant lowland is a small alluvial plain at [[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]], the prefectural capital. The area's mild winters stimulated some [[truck farming]], specializing in growing out-of-season vegetables under plastic covering. Two crops of rice can be cultivated annually in the southern area. The [[pulp and paper industry]] took advantage of the abundant forests and hydroelectric power.

The major river in Shikoku is the [[Yoshino River]]. It runs {{convert|196|km|1|abbr=on}} from its source close to [[Mount Ishizuchi]], flowing basically west to east across the northern boundaries of Kōchi and Tokushima Prefectures, reaching the sea at the city of Tokushima. The Yoshino is famous for Japan's best white-water rafting, with trips going along the Oboke Koboke sections of the river.

Shikoku has four important capes: Gamōda in [[Anan, Tokushima]] on the easternmost point on the island, Sada in [[Ikata|Ikata, Ehime]] on the westernmost point. Muroto in [[Muroto, Kōchi]] and Ashizuri, the southern extreme of Shikoku, in [[Tosashimizu, Kōchi]], jut into the Pacific Ocean. The island's northernmost point is in [[Takamatsu]].

Unlike the other three major islands of Japan, Shikoku has no active volcanoes, and is the largest of Japan's islands to completely lack them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/shikoku |title=Shikoku: Frommer's Guide from |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=2012-02-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229183226/http://www.answers.com/topic/shikoku |archive-date=2012-02-29 }}</ref> But Shikoku did experience volcanic activity in the distant prehistoric past; a major volcanic [[caldera]] in the area of Mount Ishizuchi was active during the [[Miocene]] around 14&nbsp;million years ago<ref>{{Cite journal|doi = 10.1111/iar.12182|title = Timescale of magma chamber processes revealed by U-Pb ages, trace element contents and morphology of zircons from the Ishizuchi caldera, Southwest Japan Arc|year = 2017|last1 = Takehara|first1 = Mami|last2 = Horie|first2 = Kenji|last3 = Tani|first3 = Kenichiro|last4 = Yoshida|first4 = Takeyoshi|last5 = Hokada|first5 = Tomokazu|last6 = Kiyokawa|first6 = Shoichi|journal = Island Arc|volume = 26|issue = 2|article-number = e12182| bibcode=2017IsArc..26E2182T | s2cid=133362063 |doi-access = }}</ref> and the small [[volcanic cone]] of [[Mount Iino]] at an unknown date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hikinginjapan.com/tag/mt-iino/|title=Mount Iino|access-date=2023-04-23}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Mount_Ishizuchi.jpg|[[Mount Ishizuchi]] is the highest mountain in Shikoku.
File:Ashizurimisaki Cape.JPG|Cape Ashizuri is at the southernmost tip of Shikoku.
File:Shimanto_sada_chinkabashi_fukin.jpg|[[Shimanto River]]
File:Seto-Inland-Sea-Photo.jpg|Seto Inland Sea
</gallery>

== Population ==
Shikoku has a total population of 3,630,320 in 2022. The largest city is [[Matsuyama]] (population: 507,137) and is the capital of [[Ehime Prefecture]]. Shikoku is the main island with the third largest population density, at {{convert|193|PD/km2}}.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of 20 major cities in Shikoku
|-
! <small>Rank</small>
! Cities
! Prefecture
! Population
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|1}}
|align=left | [[File:Flag of Matsuyama, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Matsuyama]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|507,137
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|2}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Takamatsu, Kagawa.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Takamatsu]]''' || {{flag|Kagawa}} || align=right|414,363
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|3}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Kochi, Kochi.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]]''' || {{flag|Kōchi}} || align=right|321,910
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|4}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Tokushima, Tokushima.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Tokushima (city)|Tokushima]]''' || {{flag|Tokushima}} || align=right|250,150
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|5}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Imabari, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Imabari, Ehime|Imabari]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|147,334
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|6}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Niihama, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Niihama]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|113,755
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|7}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Marugame, Kagawa.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Marugame, Kagawa|Marugame]]''' || {{flag|Kagawa}} || align=right|108,744
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|8}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Saijō, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Saijō, Ehime|Saijō]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|102,830
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|9}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Shikokuchūō, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Shikokuchūō]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|80,952
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|{{center|10}} ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Uwajima, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Uwajima, Ehime|Uwajima]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|68,213
|-
| style="text-align:center"|11 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Anan, Tokushima.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Anan, Tokushima|Anan]]''' || {{flag|Tokushima}} || align=right|67,891
|-
| style="text-align:center"|12 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Mitoyo, Kagawa.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Mitoyo, Kagawa|Mitoyo]]''' || {{flag|Kagawa}} || align=right|60,106
|-
| style="text-align:center"|13 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Kanonji, Kagawa.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Kan'onji, Kagawa|Kan'onji]]''' || {{flag|Kagawa}} || align=right|56,258
|-
| style="text-align:center"|14 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Naruto, Tokushima.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto]]''' || {{flag|Tokushima}} || align=right|53,368
|-
| style="text-align:center"|15 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Sakaide, Kagawa.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Sakaide, Kagawa|Sakaide]]''' || {{flag|Kagawa}} || align=right|49,487
|-
| style="text-align:center"|16 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Sanuki, Kagawa.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Sanuki, Kagawa|Sanuki]]''' || {{flag|Kagawa}} || align=right|45,763
|-
| style="text-align:center"|17 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Nankoku, Kochi.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Nankoku, Kōchi|Nankoku]]''' || {{flag|Kōchi}} || align=right|46,176
|-
| style="text-align:center"|18 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Ōzu, Ehime.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Ōzu, Ehime|Ōzu]]''' || {{flag|Ehime}} || align=right|39,352
|-
| style="text-align:center"|19 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Yoshinogawa, Tokushima.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Yoshinogawa, Tokushima|Yoshinogawa]]''' || {{flag|Tokushima}} || align=right|37,707
|-
| style="text-align:center"|20 ||align=left | [[File:Flag of Komatsushima, Tokushima.svg|border|25x20px]] '''[[Komatsushima, Tokushima|Komatsushima]]''' || {{flag|Tokushima}} || align=right|35,288
|}

{{center|'''Capital cities of four prefectures of Shikoku'''}}
<gallery mode="packed">
File:松山 Matsuyama - panoramio.jpg|[[Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama City]]
File:Takamatsu-M3687.jpg|[[Takamatsu|Takamatsu City]]
File:高知城 天守からの景色3 Kochi Castle - panoramio.jpg|[[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi City]]
File:Tokushima City View from the Top of Bizan 20200405.jpg|[[Tokushima, Tokushima|Tokushima City]]
</gallery>

Per Japanese census data,<ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Ehime.html Ehime 1995–2020 population statistics]</ref> and,<ref>[http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm Shikoku 1920–2000 population statistics]</ref> Shikoku region's peak population was at 1950 and has had negative population growth from 1950 to 1970 and 1990 onward.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 | 3,066,000   
| 1930 | 3,310,000  
| 1940 | 3,337,000
| 1950 | 4,221,000
| 1960 | 4,122,000
| 1970 | 3,904,000
| 1980 | 4,163,000
| 1990 | 4,195,000
| 2000 | 4,154,039
| 2010 | 3,977,282
| 2018 | 3,755,765
|align       = none
| footnote = 
}}

== Sightseeing ==

* Ehime Prefecture: [[Matsuyama]], [[Imabari, Ehime|Imahari]], [[Saijō, Ehime|Saijō]], [[Shikokuchūō, Ehime|Shikokuchūō]], [[Uwajima, Ehime|Uwajima]], [[Ōzu, Ehime|Ōzu]], [[Seiyo, Ehime|Seiyo]], [[Iyo, Ehime|Iyo]], [[Tōon, Ehime|Tōon]], [[Yawatahama, Ehime|Yawatahama]]
* Kagawa Prefecture: [[Takamatsu]], [[Marugame, Kagawa|Marugame]], [[Kan'onji, Kagawa|Kan'onji]], [[Sakaide, Kagawa|Sakaide]], [[Sanuki, Kagawa|Sanuki]], [[Zentsūji, Kagawa|Zentsūji]], 
* Kōchi Prefecture: [[Nankoku, Kōchi|Nankoku]], [[Shimanto, Kōchi|Shimanto]], [[Kōnan, Kōchi|Kōnan]], [[Tosa, Kōchi|Tosa]], [[Kami, Kōchi|Kami]], [[Susaki, Kōchi|Susaki]], [[Sukumo, Kōchi|Sukumo]], [[Aki, Kōchi|Aki]], [[Tosashimizu, Kōchi|Tosashimizu]], [[Muroto, Kōchi|Muroto]]
* Tokushima Prefecture: [[Anan, Tokushima|Anan]], [[Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto]], [[Yoshinogawa, Tokushima|Yoshinogawa]], [[Komatsushima, Tokushima|Komatsushima]], [[Awa, Tokushima|Awa]], [[Mima, Tokushima|Mima]], [[Miyoshi, Tokushima|Miyoshi]]

==Culture==

===Society and architecture===
Shikoku has historically been quite isolated and therefore it has kept the original characteristics of Japan for a longer period, especially in regards to vegetation and some architectural techniques. There are many Buddhist temples.

The "lost" Shikoku has been described by an American writer, [[Alex Kerr (Japanologist)|Alex Kerr]], who lived in a remote mountain village near Oboke (大歩危) for many years from 1970 onwards.

[[Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park]] is located in the south-west part of Shikoku.

===Traditions===
[[File:Yosakoi Performers at Kochi Yosakoi Matsuri 2008 40.jpg|thumb|[[Yosakoi]] festival]]
Shikoku is also famous for its [[Shikoku Pilgrimage|88-temple pilgrimage]] of temples. The pilgrimage was established by the Heian-period Buddhist priest [[Kūkai]], a native of present-day Zentsūji-cho in Kagawa prefecture. According to legend, Kūkai still appears to pilgrims today. Most modern-day pilgrims travel by bus, rarely choosing the old-fashioned method of going by foot.  They are seen wearing white jackets emblazoned with the characters reading ''dōgyō ninin'' ({{lang|ja|同行二人}}) meaning "two traveling together".

Tokushima Prefecture also has its annual [[Awa Odori]] running in August at the time of the [[Obon]] festival, which attracts thousands of tourists each year from all over Japan and from abroad.

Kōchi Prefecture is home to the first annual [[Yosakoi]] festival. The largest festival in Kōchi, it takes place in August every year and attracts dancers and tourists from all over Japan.

===Food===
[[File:Kama-age sanuki udon by sekido in Takamatsu, Kagawa.jpg|thumb|[[Sanuki udon]]]]
One of the major foods of Shikoku is [[udon]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.tourismshikoku.org/learnmore/tastes_shikoku/katsuo-no-tataki|title = tourism shikoku|access-date = 2014-11-27|website = tourism shikoku|publisher = Organization for Promotion of Tourism in Shikoku|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205115003/http://www.tourismshikoku.org/learnmore/tastes_shikoku/katsuo-no-tataki|archive-date = 2014-12-05}}</ref> [[Udon]] is often served hot as a noodle soup in its simplest form, as ''kake udon'', in a mildly flavoured broth called ''[[kakejiru]],'' which is made of [[dashi]], soy sauce ([[shōyu]]), and [[mirin]]. It is usually topped with thinly chopped scallions. Other common toppings include [[tempura]], often prawn or ''[[kakiage]]'' (a type of mixed tempura [[fritter]]), or ''[[aburaage]]'', a type of deep-fried [[tofu]] pockets seasoned with sugar, mirin, and soy sauce. A thin slice of [[kamaboko]], a halfmoon-shaped fish cake, is often added. [[Shichimi]] can be added to taste. Another specialty is [[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]]'s signature dish, seared [[bonito]].

The warm climate of Shikoku lends itself to the cultivation of citrus fruits. As a result, [[yuzu]], [[mikan]] and other citrus fruits are plentiful on Shikoku and have become synonymous with the regions they are grown in.

===Movements===
Pioneering [[natural farming|natural farmer]] [[Masanobu Fukuoka]], author of ''[[The One-Straw Revolution]]'', developed his methods here on his family's farm.

===Sports===
[[File:Botchan Stadium(20160416) 02.jpg|thumb|left|[[Shikoku Island League Plus]] ([[Ehime Mandarin Pirates]])]]
[[File:Naruto Athletic 1.JPG|thumb|[[J. League]] ([[Tokushima Vortis]])]]
Historically no Shikoku-based [[sports]] team has competed in the top Japanese division of [[Japanese baseball|baseball]], [[Football in Japan|football (soccer)]] or even [[Rugby union in Japan|rugby union]]. However, Tokushima Vortis have had two spells in the top flight of Japanese soccer ([[J1 League|J1]]) in 2014 and 2021. Currently the major teams competing in Shikoku's major cities include:
*[[Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto]], [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]]:
**[[Tokushima Vortis]] (football, [[J2 League|J2]])
**[[Tokushima Indigo Socks]] (baseball, [[Shikoku-Kyūshū Island League|SKIL]])
*[[Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama]], [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime]]
**[[Ehime FC]] (football, J2)
**[[Ehime Mandarin Pirates]] (baseball, SKIL)
*[[Imabari, Ehime|Imabari]], [[Ehime Prefecture|Ehime]]: 
**[[FC Imabari]] (football, J2)
*[[Takamatsu]], [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]]: 
**[[Kamatamare Sanuki]] (football, [[J3 League|J3]])
**[[Kagawa Olive Guyners]] (baseball, SKIL)
*[[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi]], [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]]: 
**[[Kōchi United SC]] (football, J3)
**[[Kōchi Fighting Dogs]] (baseball, SKIL)

===Notable sportspeople===

Two time darts Women's World Champion [[Mikuru Suzuki]] is a native of Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan's Miracle Takes Darts World by Storm |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190410-japans-miracle-suzuki-takes-darts-world-storm |website=France24.com |date=10 April 2019 |publisher=France 24 |access-date=7 August 2020}}</ref>

== Transportation ==
[[File:Kochi_Castle09.JPG|thumb|[[Kōchi Castle]]]]
[[File:Onsenzan-anrakuji-tahouto.JPG|thumb|Anraku-ji in Kamiita, [[Tokushima, Tokushima|Tokushima]]]]

===Roads===

Shikoku is connected to Honshu by three [[Expressways of Japan|expressways]], which together form the [[Honshū–Shikoku Bridge Project]].

* [[Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project#Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway|Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway]] (Eastern Shikoku)
* [[Nishiseto Expressway]] (Western Shikoku)
* [[Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project#Seto-Chūō Expressway|Seto-Chūō Expressway]] (Central Shikoku)

The eastern gateway to Shikoku, [[Naruto, Tokushima|Naruto]] in [[Tokushima Prefecture]] has been linked to the [[Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project#Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway|Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway]] since 1998. This line connects Shikoku to the [[Kansai]] area which has a large population, including the large [[conurbation]]s of  [[Osaka]], [[Kyoto]], and [[Kobe]]. Therefore, the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway carries a large traffic volume. Many highway buses are operated between [[Kansai]] and [[Tokushima Prefecture]].

The central part of Shikoku is connected to Honshu by ferry, air, and – since 1988 – by the [[Great Seto Bridge]] network. Until completion of the bridges, the region was isolated from the rest of Japan. The freer movement between Honshu and Shikoku was expected to promote economic development on both sides of the bridges, which has not materialized yet.

Within the island, a web of [[Expressways of Japan|expressways]] and [[National highways of Japan|national highways]] connects the major population centers. These include [[Kōchi Expressway]], [[Matsuyama Expressway]], [[Takamatsu Expressway]], [[Tokushima Expressway]], [[Japan National Route 11|Routes 11]], [[Japan National Route 32|32]], [[Japan National Route 33|33]], [[Japan National Route 55|55]], and [[Japan National Route 56|56]]. 

===Rail===

The [[Shikoku Railway Company]] (JR Shikoku) serves the island and connects to Honshu via the [[Great Seto Bridge]]. JR lines include:

* [[Dosan Line]]
* [[Honshi Bisan Line]]
* [[Kōtoku Line]]
* [[Mugi Line]]
* [[Naruto Line]]
* [[Seto Ōhashi Line]]
* [[Tokushima Line]]
* [[Uchiko Line]]
* [[Yodo Line]]
* [[Yosan Line]]

Private railway lines operate in each of the four prefectures on Shikoku.

=== Air travel ===

Shikoku lacks a full international airport but has four regional/domestic airports ([[Tokushima Airport]], [[Takamatsu Airport]], [[Ryoma Airport|Kōchi Ryōma Airport]] and [[Matsuyama Airport]]). All of these airports have flights to Tokyo and other major Japanese cities such as [[Osaka]], [[Nagoya]], [[Sapporo]], and [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]]. International flights to [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]] are serviced by [[Asiana Airlines]] from [[Matsuyama, Ehime|Matsuyama]] and [[Takamatsu]]. There are periodic international charter flights as well.

'''Sea Travel'''

Ferries link Shikoku to destinations including Honshu, [[Kyushu]], and islands around Shikoku.

==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Islands|Geography}}
*[[Geography of Japan]]
*[[Japanese archipelago]]
*[[Regions of Japan]]
*[[Shikoku dialect]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{country study|country=Japan|abbr=jp}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100904125626/http://www.domo.com/kitaro/kukai.php Kitaro Shikoku Peace Bell Project]

{{Sister bar|auto=y}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}{{coord|33|45|N|133|30|E|region:JP_type:isle_scale:2500000|display=title}}

[[Category:Shikoku region| ]]
[[Category:Japanese archipelago]]
[[Category:Islands of Ehime Prefecture]]
[[Category:Islands of Kagawa Prefecture]]
[[Category:Islands of Kōchi Prefecture]]
[[Category:Islands of Tokushima Prefecture]]