Shikoku in 3 Days by Train: Tokushima, the Iya Valley and Kagawa (2026 Itinerary with Travel Times and Rail Pass Tips)

Quick answer: A 3-day train trip round eastern Shikoku: Day 1, Tokushima city (or Naruto). Day 2, the Iya Valley and Oboke — about 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokushima by limited express, with a change at Awa-Ikeda. Day 3, Kagawa — Konpira-san in Kotohira, self-service udon and Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu. The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass (3 days, ¥12,000) covers the trains but not the buses. Two things to know: the Uzushio no longer runs from Okayama, and the Nanpu becomes all-reserved from spring 2027.

I live in Tokushima and often ride Shikoku’s limited express trains. This plan links three places I know: Tokushima city, the Iya Valley and Kagawa. Travel times below are from a weekday timetable search for November 2026.

The route at a glance

Getting to the start

• From Takamatsu: Limited Express Uzushio to Tokushima, about 1 hour 6 minutes (¥2,840).
• From Okayama: the Uzushio no longer runs from Okayama (since March 2025). Take the Marine Liner to Takamatsu (55 minutes, ¥1,660), then change to the Uzushio.

For flights and buses, see How to Get to Tokushima and Shikoku Airports to the City.

Day 1: Tokushima city

I go to Tokushima city often. Three things I’ve done there:

• Mt Bizan — I’ve been up it.
• Awa Odori Kaikan — I’ve watched an Awa Odori dance show here.
• Hyotanjima river cruise — I’ve taken this boat trip.

See Tokushima City in One Day for times and prices.

Option: Naruto instead

If you’d rather see the Naruto whirlpools or the Otsuka Museum of Art, spend the day in Naruto instead. I’ve been to the Otsuka Museum of Art a few times. See Naruto Whirlpools, Otsuka Museum of Art and Naruto Beyond the Whirlpools.

For a base, see Where to Stay in Tokushima.

Day 2: Iya Valley and Oboke

Leave Tokushima early. The Iya Valley is deep in the mountains of western Tokushima.

Trains

• Tokushima → Awa-Ikeda: Limited Express Tsurugisan, about 1 hour 18 minutes (¥3,030).
• Awa-Ikeda → Oboke: Limited Express Nanpu, about 17 minutes (¥980), or a Dosan Line local train, 29–39 minutes (¥530).
• In total: about 1 hour 41 minutes with a good connection (for example, 9:00 → 10:41).

What to do

• Oboke gorge boat: a 30-minute ride through the gorge, ¥1,800 for adults. No booking needed. I’ve taken this boat.
• Iya Kazurabashi: a bridge made of vines. ¥550 to cross, 8:00–17:00 (September–March). From JR Oboke Station, take a bus to Kazurabashi Yumebutai (about 25 minutes), then walk about 5 minutes. I’ve crossed it.
• Autumn: I’ve seen the autumn leaves here. The Iya Valley usually peaks from late October to mid-November, the Kazurabashi area in early to mid-November, and Oboke in mid to late November. Roads get busy on autumn weekends.

Note: rail passes don’t cover buses, so pay the bus fare separately. See Iya Valley and Oboke for more. With a car, you can go further into the mountains — see Deep Iya by Car.

On to Kagawa

• Oboke → Kotohira: Limited Express Nanpu, about 42 minutes (¥2,440).

Stay in Kotohira to climb Konpira-san early the next morning, or go on to Takamatsu (about 45 minutes more).

Day 3: Kotohira and Takamatsu

Morning: Konpira-san

Konpira-san is in Kotohira. I’ve climbed it more than once, all the way to the Okusha (inner shrine) — 1,368 steps. See Climbing Konpira-san.

Lunch: self-service udon

Kagawa is famous for Sanuki udon, and I go for self-service udon very often. If you’ve never ordered it, read How to Order Sanuki Udon first.

Afternoon: Ritsurin Garden

• Kotohira ⇔ Takamatsu: about 45 minutes (¥1,430), changing at Utazu.
• Takamatsu → Ritsurin-koen Kitaguchi: about 5 minutes by JR, then a 3-minute walk.
• Admission: ¥500. Matcha at Kikugetsu-tei: ¥800.
• Autumn light-up: 20–29 November 2026, 17:00–21:00.

I’ve walked round Ritsurin Garden, had matcha at Kikugetsu-tei and seen the autumn light-up. See Ritsurin Garden Guide, Takamatsu City Guide and Kagawa in 2 Days.

Which rail pass?

The ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass for 3 days costs ¥12,000 (child ¥6,000). The 4- and 5-day passes ended on 1 October 2026.

For this exact route starting in Takamatsu, the tickets add up to a little less than the pass. The pass makes sense if you add more rides, such as the Naruto option or the Kotoden railway in Takamatsu, which it also covers. It saves buying tickets at each step, too.

• Covered: non-reserved seats on all JR Shikoku trains, including limited expresses.
• Not covered: buses (including to Kazurabashi), and Okayama–Kojima — if you start in Okayama, pay that part separately.
• Who can buy it: overseas visitors with “Temporary Visitor” status.

See Shikoku Rail Passes in 2026 for where to buy.

Changes to know

• Uzushio: since March 2025, it runs only between Takamatsu and Tokushima.
• Spring 2027: the Nanpu (and the Shiokaze) will become all-reserved. On this route, that affects Awa-Ikeda → Oboke and Oboke → Kotohira. JR Shikoku hasn’t announced how the ALL SHIKOKU pass will work on these trains, so check before you travel in 2027. Between Awa-Ikeda and Oboke, the Dosan Line local train is an alternative.

Longer trips

With more time, see Setouchi in 7 Days, or rent a car for the mountains: Renting a Car in Shikoku. For the season, see Best Time to Visit Setouchi and Autumn Leaves in Setouchi.

FAQ

Can I see Shikoku in 3 days by train?
You can see eastern Shikoku: Tokushima, the Iya Valley and Kagawa. Matsuyama is about 2 hours 30 minutes from Takamatsu by limited express, so add days if you want to go further.

Does the ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass save money on this route?
The main legs cost about ¥10,720 without a pass, against ¥12,000 for the 3-day pass. It pays off if you add more rides.

Do I need a car for the Iya Valley?
No. Oboke Station is on the Nanpu line, and a bus runs from Oboke to Kazurabashi (about 25 minutes). A car lets you go deeper into the mountains.

Can I take the Uzushio from Okayama?
No, not since March 2025. Take the Marine Liner to Takamatsu and change there.

Train times and fares checked on a timetable search for November 2026, and pass details on the official JR Shikoku and JR West websites, on 29 October 2026.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.