Shikoku

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's major islands. It's encircled by a 1,200km, 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage route (henro) honoring the 9th-century monk Kukai. Shikoku's major cities include Matsuyama, home to 8 of the pilgrimage temples, plus feudal Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's earliest known hot-spring spas. The island's mountainous interior has hiking trails and rivers with whitewater rapids.