Getting to Shikoku
How to get to and away from Shikoku
Good news! Although Shikoku is the most remote of the 4 main islands of Japan, it is relatively easy to get to and away from. It can be harder to travel around the island and see the great nature on offer here, but I guess that’s where we come in.
You can travel to Shikoku by plane, train, ferry, bus, coach, car, bike, or on foot. More information below. And for information about how you can fit a trip to Shikoku within a longer Japanese adventure, click here.
Quick answer: the fastest ways to Shikoku
| From | Fastest way | Time (about) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Fly Haneda to Matsuyama | 1 hr 30 min | ANA and JAL offer discount fares for overseas visitors; Jetstar flies from Narita |
| Tokyo (by rail) | Shinkansen to Okayama, then limited express to Matsuyama | 6 hr | Good if you have a rail pass |
| Osaka | Shinkansen to Okayama, then limited express to Matsuyama | 3 hr 30 min | Or take the OrangeLiner night ferry to Toyo, with a hot bath on board |
| Hiroshima | SuperJet ferry to Matsuyama | 1 hr 15 min | The slower car ferry is cheaper; discount for overseas visitors |
| Fukuoka | Fly to Matsuyama | 50 min | Or the overnight ferry from Kokura, which saves a night’s hotel |
| Okayama | Limited express train to Imabari or Matsuyama | 2 hr 10 min / 2 hr 40 min | Imabari is the Shikoku end of the Shimanami Kaido |
| Beppu (Kyushu) | Ferry to Yawatahama | 3 hr | Then a train to Matsuyama |
Times are typical journey times and change with timetables, so check before you travel. More detail on every option below.
By Air
The most convenient option if you’re coming from or returning to Tokyo or Osaka.
There are 4 main airports on Shikoku – the closest to us is in Matsuyama. This airport is serviced by domestic flights from all major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya). Click here to find out more.
ANA and JAL offer discount fairs for foreign travellers. These are much cheaper than regular fares.
Cheaper seats can sometimes be found on JETSTAR which flies to Narita.
There are also international flights from Shanghai, Seoul, and Taoyuan (Taiwan).
By Ferry
T ravelling by ferry is the perfect start or end to a trip to Shikoku. There are multiple points of entry – here are some of the most convenient for tours with us.
Hiroshima – Matsuyama:
You can catch the speedy SuperJet or the slower Ferry. There’s also a discount for foreign tourists.
Osaka – Toyo:
The OrangeLiner is a night ferry…with a hot bath! Our favourite option. The ferry docks at Toyo. There’s a bus from there to Matsuyama.
Kokura – Matsuyama:
Kokora is north east of Fukuoka (Kyushu). This is a night ferry and also has a bath. This ferry is a great option if you’re looking to save money on accommodation. Also good if you’re running the Fukuoka Marathon (like our founder, Miho).
Beppu – Yawatahama:
Experience the onsens of Beppu then jump on a the Uwajima-Unyu Ferry to Shikoku for more adventure. There’s a train from Yawatahama to Matsuyama.
By Train
The most convenient option if you’re coming from or returning to Okayama.
The major cities on Shikoku are all serviced by train stations. If you’re doing a Shimanami Kaido Tour, you will finish at Imabari Station. From there you have easy access to Matsuyama (30 mins) or back to Okayama (130 mins). If you’re coming to see us in Matsuyama, it’s about 160 mins from Okayama. You can access train schedules via Google Search.
If you’re looking to truly explore Shikoku by rail, the All Shikoku Railway pass can be useful. But know that a lot of the gems of the this island are away from train stations!
By Bus
This is a great option if you’re looking to save money. You can travel to Matsuyama by intercity coaches and night buses. For information on the routes, look at Iyotetsu Bus (Japanese). It’s about a 12 hour night journey to Tokyo and 5 hours from Osaka (a bit longer for the night bus…but why not take the ferry?!)
Another good option is the 3-Day Shikoku rider. This allows you to see a few cities on Shikoku for a very reasonable fee!
By Bike
What better way to travel to Shikoku than bike. Have a look at our Shimanami Kaido Tour for more information.
By Foot
The Ohenro is a fabulous way to see Shikoku. It takes about 40-50 days to complete this 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage.