6 Must Try Foods on Japan's Most UNDERRATED Island

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Embark on an epic road trip across Shikoku, Japan's underrated island, to discover six unique and mouthwatering dishes, from rich Tokushima ramen to flame-seared Kochi bonito and creative Ehime sushi.

1 plan · 7 places

Plan · 7 places · Shikoku, Japan

Shikoku's Underrated Food Road Trip

“We're off on an epic road trip to unearth one must-try dish from each and every one of Shikoku's four prefectures, traveling across the island to taste mouthwatering dishes unique to the region.”

1
Shina Soba Wanwan Ken Hon Ten
Ramen restaurant · Aizumi
4.2Open · until 6:45 PM
Creator's voice
A Tabelog 100 award-winning ramen shop in Tokushima, known for its iconic bowl of ramen with a decadently thick tonkotsu broth and thin slices of deeply marinated pork. It's described as the pride of Tokushima City, very rustic, and the noodles soak up all the rich chicken and pork flavor.
Wanwanken Honten, Ushinose-446-15 Tokumei, Aizumi, Itano District, Tokushima 771-1210, Japan
- Tokushima Ramen with raw egg · ¥500-600 (estimated) — A unique ramen bowl with a chicken and pork mix soup that smells like tonkotsu broth. It features raw egg nestled in the middle and pork belly meat marinated in a sweet soy sauce, similar to sukiyaki. The soup is ridiculously thick, almost like gravy, and the noodles absorb the rich flavors beautifully. The creator recommends ordering a bowl of rice to go with the thick sauce.
2
Ryozenji Temple
Buddhist temple · Naruto
4.3 (2,059)Closed · opens Monday 8 AM
Creator's voice
Temple number one of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, a spectacular and magnificent temple with incredible lanterns, koi carp swimming in rivers, and weathered statues in the forest. It's the first stop on the 1,228 km pilgrimage route, which can be done in parts or even by driving.
Ryozenji Temple, Tsukahana-126 Oasacho Bando, Naruto, Tokushima 779-0230, Japan
3
Yamagoe Udon
Udon noodle restaurant · Ayagawa
4.3
Creator's voice
A legendary Tabelog 100 udon shop in Kagawa, the birthplace of Sanuki Udon. The noodles are freshly prepared by hand each day, and the shop uses a self-service system where you pick your bowl and add toppings. It's known for its impressive outdoor garden dining environment.
Yamagoe Udon, 602-2 Hayukakami, 綾川町 Ayagawa, Ayauta District, Kagawa 761-2207, Japan
- Kamatama Udon · ¥500-600 (bowl only) — Udon noodles mixed with egg and some soup underneath, a popular dish invented at Yamagoe Udon. The noodles are satisfyingly chewy and freshly made. The creator's companion says udon is a very cost-efficient, hearty, and filling meal, often eaten for breakfast or lunch in Kagawa.
- Jagaimo (potato) tempura — The most popular tempura topping at Yamagoe Udon, according to Tabelog reviews. The creator also added cheese mochi and many other deep-fried items to their udon.
4
Honetsukidori Ikkaku Dokigawa Ten
Chicken restaurant · Marugame
4.3 (3,898)Open · until 9:30 PM
Creator's voice
A restaurant in Marugame, Kagawa, that popularized honetsukidori (bone-in chicken) back in 1953. They serve two variants: 'oya' (older, chewier, tougher chicken for connoisseurs) and 'hina' (younger, juicier, more tender chicken for everyone). The dish is so popular that many people in Kagawa celebrate Christmas with it instead of KFC.
Ikkaku Dokigawa Branch, 2 Chome-12-33 Doicho, Marugame, Kagawa 763-0012, Japan
- Oya (older) bone-in chicken — An older, more mature chicken with a chewy and tougher texture, popular with connoisseurs. It's slightly more expensive than the younger chicken.
5
Niyodo Gorge
Country park · Niyodogawa
4.5Closed
Creator's voice
A breathtaking gorge in Niyodogawa town, Kochi, famous for its incredibly turquoise water, known as 'Niyodo Blue.' The color of the water changes with the weather. It's an enduring image of Shikoku with clean, pristine water and mountain villages.
Nakatsu Gorge, Takeyashiki, Niyodogawa, Agawa District, Kochi 781-1742, Japan
6
Sushi Kawanaka
Sushi restaurant · Matsuyama
4.7 (74)Closed · opens 6 PM
Creator's voice
The best sushi restaurant in Matsuyama City, Ehime, offering high-quality creative sushi dishes with a personal chef. The creator describes the atmosphere as warm and inviting, the restaurant beautiful, and the food original. The chef ages fish and uses different vinegars for the rice, showcasing a deep understanding of sushi preparation.
Sushi Kawanaka, 一番町ガッツビル 1 Chome-11-9 Ichibancho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0001, Japan
7
Matsuyama Castle
Castle · Matsuyama
4.5Closed · opens Monday 9 AM
Creator's voice
The creator's favorite castle in Japan, located in Matsuyama, Ehime. It offers an amazing view 200 meters above the city, with the castle grounds laying out before you and the entire city surrounding it. It's described as unique, with no other castle in Japan offering quite the same view.
Matsuyama Castle, 1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0008, Japan

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