The Shikoku Karst is a karst plateau spanning the towns of Tsuno and Yusuhara in Kochi and Ehime Prefectures and is one of Japan's three major karsts alongside Akiyoshidai in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Hiraodai in Fukuoka Prefecture. Here, we present places near the Shikoku Karst, a popular place for summer retreats situated along ridges at altitudes of 1,000 to 1,500 meters that offers views of vast grasslands and mountains below as well as seasonal landscapes to take in.
- Just like the highlands of Scandinavia. The idyllic landscapes of the Shikoku Karst.
- A leisurely stroll along Therapy Road. Find healing on a stroll through a summer resort.
- Enjoy the Oku Shimanto dining at Hoshifuru Village Tengu With the Tosa Wagyu Steak Bowl
- Morning and night, a world apart. Heavenly sceneries enjoyed only through an overnight stay.
- From sweets to Sanzoku Chaya, be sure to check out your dining options!
- A silvery world in winter. Experience winter leisure activities in the southern land of Kochi.
Just like the highlands of Scandinavia. The idyllic landscapes of the Shikoku Karst.
The Shikoku Karst extends about 25 km west from Tengu Highlands in Tsuno, Kochi Prefecture, the gateway to the karst on the Kochi side. Along the prefectural road that traverses the Karst sprawl vast grasslands and rugged limestone outcrops, with distant mountain ranges stretching as far as the eye can see. The landscape, also known as the "Switzerland of Japan", offers a sensation as though you were truly on Northern European highlands. These vast grasslands are also used for cattle grazing for an even more pastoral atmosphere. The vast Shikoku Karst lets you enjoy different landscapes with Tengu Highlands, Godan Highland in the town of Yusuhara, and Mezurudaira and Onogahara on the Ehime side, so taking a leisurely drive to discover views you like is highly recommended.
A leisurely stroll along Therapy Road. Find healing on a stroll through a summer resort.
Tengu no Mori, the highest peak of Shikoku Karst towering east of the Tengu Highlands. The Tengu Highlands Forest Therapy Road, which starts from Tengu Highlands and explores Tengu no Mori, offers a forest worlds apart from the vast grasslands of Shikoku Karst. Experience a moment of true healing surrounded by lush trees and highland plants as you bask pleasantly in negative ions and sunlight pouring through the foliage. The approximately 4.5 km course is covered in wood chips, designed to reduce the strain on legs and create the delightful scent of wood. Walking through the lush verdure of spring and summer as well as the autumn foliage is recommended. Apply in advance to take a guided tour as well as a break during your walk with the Therapy Boxed Lunch made from local wild plants.
The Tosa Wagyu Steak Rice Bowl, Oku Shimanto food you can enjoy at Shikoku Karst
A dish you'll want to enjoy in Shikoku Karst is the Tosa Wagyu Steak Rice Bowl, available at Hoshifuru Village Tengu. Made from Tosa Wagyu, a kind of Japanese black beef produced in Kochi, this steak is cooked slightly rare and tender to bring out the flavor of the lean meat and is served with garlic sauce and black pepper for a spicy, juicy steak that goes well with rice. The crisp texture of the watercress creates a good accent for a flavor that is not only hearty but also refreshing and mild. With curry topped with Tosa Wagyu hamburg steak and dishes made with Shimanto's specialty Shimanto Chicken or Shimanto Pork, there are many other hearty menu items to heal your travel weariness, making this a place you'll definitely want to stop by.
Morning and night, a world apart. Heavenly sceneries enjoyed only through an overnight stay.
With its blue skies and green highlands, Shikoku Karst makes you feel as though you are at a summer resort, and the morning and night views can only be fully appreciated with an overnight stay. With almost no light around and the air clear of high altitudes, the beautiful starry sky seen from Shikoku Karst will take your breath away. Experience a truly starry sky not only overhead but in a powerful panoramic view all around. The sun rising between the mountains is beautiful as well, and you can sometimes see a sea of clouds sprawling below the mountains. The former Tengu-So was renovated in 2021 and reopened as Hoshifuru Village Tengu. This hotel lets you enjoy the stars even more with a planetarium that lets you see the starry skies of Shikoku Karst even in bad weather and guest rooms where you can gaze up at the starry skies through the skylights.
From sweets to Sanzoku Chaya and roadside stations, be sure to check out your dining options!
Along the road in Shikoku Karst are places for dining and souvenirs you'll definitely want to stop by. We recommend the Manten no Hoshi Daifuku from Manten no Hoshi, with headquarters and processing plants in the town of Tsuno, as well as the Hojicha Roll Cake, a rich tea-flavored cake made generously with roasted green tea from Tsuno. These are available at Fusegasaka and other roadside stations, so be sure to stop by for a break on the way! With a name that means "Mountain Bandit Teahouse", Sanzoku Chaya in the Funato area of Tsuno has an atmosphere suited to its name and serves the popular Salt-Grilled Satsukimasu Salmon and Super Yakitori, the shop's famously large chicken skewers grilled flamboyantly and deliciously. This is the perfect shop for both souvenirs and a meal.
A silvery world in winter. Experience winter leisure activities in the southern land of Kochi.
Though located in the southern land of Kochi, this place is over 1,000 meters in altitude. In winter, the landscape transforms from green grasslands into a vast world of silver. While snow has decreased in recent years, you can still enjoy sledding and playing in the snow. Rentals are available at Hoshifuru Village Tengu, letting you come empty-handed (reservation required). Winter in Shikoku Karst requires studded tires or tire chains, making it a challenging place to visit, but this rare place lets you experience a world of snow in the southern land of Kochi. Be aware that in winter, the karst can only be accessed from the Kochi side by car and that the farthest you can go is Hoshifuru Village Tengu, which is just before Tengu Highlands. Experience Shikoku Karst, "The summer resort of Shikoku", where you can enjoy the changing of the seasons.
