Shikoku しこく (四国) is the smallest of Japan's four main islands.
About 4 million people live there, fewer than on any of the other main islands.
The island lies south of Honshu and east of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Strait. A bridge connects it to Honshu.
Farming is a very important business in Shikoku. Citrus fruits are an important product. Shikoku is the home of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
Shikoku region covers the entire island.
The name Shikoku literally means "four countries" in Japanese. Shikoku was made of four old "countries" or provinces that are now prefectures. In other words, each prefecture has a modern name and an old provincial name. The old names are still used sometimes, especially for foods, music, or art.
There are twelve original castles that are left in Japan and Shikoku is home to four of them.
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a famous but difficult 1,647-kilometer circle around the entire island. Serious pilgrims may choose to complete the 88 Temple Circuit on foot. Other people uses buses.
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