Shikoku, Island in Japan
Shikoku is a large island south of the main island Honshu, separated by the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The territory divides into four prefectures: Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, and Tokushima, each with its own coastlines, mountains, and river valleys.
The territory originally consisted of four historic provinces: Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo, which existed since the 8th century. This ancient structure gave the island its name, which literally means four lands.
Pilgrims dressed in white walk through villages and forests, visiting 88 temples scattered across the region. Many locals offer them food or water along the way, a gesture of hospitality that remains part of daily life.
Three major bridge systems connect the island to Honshu in the north, allowing access by car and train. Ferries also run between smaller ports and the surrounding Inland Sea coasts.
In the Naruto Strait, sea whirlpools form during strong tidal currents and can be observed from viewing platforms or boats. This natural phenomenon occurs when large volumes of water move between the Inland Sea and the Pacific.
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