More about hotels in Shikoku
About Shikoku hotels
There's no bullet train to Shikoku, and once you're here you'll stop minding. Japan's smallest main island trades Tokyo's pace for whirlpools you can watch churn in the strait, an island where a giant yellow pumpkin sits on the shoreline as art, and a bathhouse old enough to have inspired a Studio Ghibli film. Four prefectures, four completely different moods: Ehime's hot springs, Kagawa's udon obsession, Tokushima's tidal drama, Kochi's seared bonito and blunt coastline.
It's the kind of place where a day can run from a 700-year-old garden to a ferry crossing to a contemporary art museum, and accommodation here covers just as much ground, from tatami ryokan rooms to design-forward city hotels. Whatever pace you're travelling at, there's a base for it.
Where to stay in Shikoku
- Matsuyama: Ehime's capital and the easy pick for first-timers. Wander the castle grounds by day, then soak at Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs, by night.
- Takamatsu: Kagawa's harbour city and the udon capital of Japan, with a 17th-century stroll garden as its calm centre. Also your ferry departure point for Naoshima.
- Naoshima: A small Seto Inland Sea island that swapped fishing sheds for contemporary art museums. Come for Yayoi Kusama's giant pumpkin sculpture and a day of gallery hopping by bike.
- Kochi: Rugged Pacific coastline and a food scene built around katsuo no tataki, bonito seared over an open straw flame. The Sunday market here is one of Japan's longest running.
- Tokushima: Base yourself here for the Naruto whirlpools, a genuine tidal phenomenon in the strait below the bridge, and day trips inland to the Iya Valley's vine bridges.
How much is Shikoku accommodation?
Shikoku runs noticeably cheaper than Tokyo or Osaka, and prices barely move between the four prefectures. Expect to pay around AU$120 a night on average, with the sharpest jump reserved for onsen ryokan stays in Dogo and art-island rooms on Naoshima, both worth booking early.
- Backpackers and hostels: From AU$35 a night. Simple dorms and private rooms near train stations in Matsuyama, Takamatsu and Tokushima. Fine base for hopping between prefectures.
- Budget hotels and guesthouses: From AU$60 a night. Clean, no-frills rooms close to stations and ferry terminals, common across all four cities.
- Mid-range hotels: From AU$95 a night. Business hotels with proper beds, decent breakfasts and central locations, the workhorse tier for most of Shikoku.
- Boutique stays and ryokan: From AU$150 a night. Tatami rooms, kaiseki dinners and private or shared onsen baths, best found around Dogo Onsen.
- Luxury hotels and resorts: From AU$280 a night. Full-service ryokan and art-focused stays, including the handful of rooms on Naoshima that book out months ahead.
Top-rated hotels in Shikoku
- Candeo Hotels Matsuyama Okaido: Sits right in the middle of Matsuyama, an easy walk to both the castle moat and Dogo Onsen. A rooftop bath is a nice bonus after a day on foot.
- Dogo Hotel Kowakuen Haruka: An open-air bath looking out over the hills above Dogo. Book a room here and the onsen becomes part of the stay, not a side trip.
- Hotel AreaOne Kochi: A short walk from Kochi Station and the Sunday market strip. Solid mid-range base for exploring the castle and coastline.
- Hotel Sunroute Tokushima: Central and practical, with easy access to the bus routes running out to the Naruto whirlpools and the Iya Valley.
- MY LODGE Naoshima: A short drive from Benesse House Museum, with the island's beaches close by. Book ahead, rooms on Naoshima go fast.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Shikoku
- There's no shinkansen on Shikoku, so work out your train and ferry connections before you book. A hotel near the main JR station in each city will save you time getting between prefectures.
- If Naoshima is on your list, book the ferry and your room together. Sailings are limited and rooms on the island are some of the first to sell out in the region.
- Dogo Onsen ryokan fill up fast around cherry blossom season and New Year. Lock in a stay a few months out if you want an onsen room rather than a standard hotel bed.
- Renting a car opens up the Iya Valley and rural pockets of Kochi that trains don't reach. If you're driving, look for accommodation with parking included rather than assuming it's free.
- Pack light layers regardless of season. Shikoku's coastal cities can be humid in summer and surprisingly brisk inland come winter.
Rounding out a Shikoku trip is easy from here. Check hotels across Japan for onward stops, or browse things to do in Shikoku to line up ferries, gardens and whirlpool boat rides before you land.
