Japan: All about Shikoku Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mount Ishizuchi

The highest mountain of western Japan, Mount Ishizuchi is slightly over 6,500 feet (1,980 m) high and located between the city of Saijō and the town of Kumakōgen, both of which are located in the Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. It is situated in the centre of the Ishizuchi Mountain Range. The mountain is believed to have once been a volcano, around 15 million years ago, and its name means "the Stone Hammer" due its sharp and rocky peak. It is a challenging climb even for some experienced mountaineers.

Various shrines exist on the mountain, with the Joju Shrine located at the start of the main route to the summit, featuring a large display of stone hammers. The mountain is a significant place for the practice of Shugendō, a religion that is the mixture of Shintoist and Buddhist beliefs.

Answer: Pine mountain

Matsuyama was established in 1889 and is the capital of the Ehime Prefecture. It features some of the oldest hot springs in Japan, and faces the Seto Inland Sea. The city has a pleasant climate with very little rainfall. With the sea lying west and the mountains lying east, Matsuyama exhibits both the bustle of a busy city, and the tranquility of the countryside. It is around a 1.5 hour airplane ride from Japan's capital, Tokyo.

Dōgo Onsen, one of the hot springs of Matsuyama, is regularly touted to be the oldest hot spring in the entire of Japan, with those who disagree saying that it is at least one of the oldest. Built during the Edo Period (1603-1868), the Matsuyama Castle lies in the middle of the city, and is a popular tourist attraction.

Answer: 140 miles (225km)

Shikoku is the second-smallest of Japan's main islands, and varies in width from between 30-90 miles (50-150km) wide, approximately. By comparison, Honshu (the largest of Japan's main islands) is approximately 800 miles (1,290 km) long.

In terms of square miles, Shikoku covers an area of about 7,259 sq miles (18,800 square km).

Answer: Niihama

The Besshi copper mine was discovered during the Edo Period, in 1690. For 282 years it was highly significant to Japan's copper production. It was run by the Sumitomo family, whose family business evolved into the modern Sumitomo group, now one of the largest keiretsu (that is, a set of different companies which share business) in Japan. The mine was the starting point for Sumitomo becoming on of Japan's major conglomerates. The statue of Japanese samurai, Kusunoki Masashige, which stands in front of the Imperial Palace in the heart of Japan's capital, Tokyo, was constructed with copper made from the Besshi copper mine.

However, this was not without cost. Over years of the mine being in operation, several incidents of river poisoning occurred. The Yoshino River suffered from metal poisoning in 1819, and smoke from the smelters caused considerable damage to the rice fields on the fertile plains surrounding Niihama. The trees surrounding the mine were cut down to reinforce the mine, and to give it fuel. However, after the mine closed in 1973, trees were replanted to restore the nature of the area.

Answer: Takamatsu

Located east of Mount Shiun, Ritsurin Garden has been open to the public since 1875. It was originally for the pleasure of Japanese feudal lords. It is one of the most expansive strolling gardens in Japan, and one of Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture's most popular tourist attractions.

Answer: Kagawa

Located in the north-east corner of Shikoku, Kagawa Prefecture encompasses 725 square miles (1,877 square km) and Takamatsu is its capital and largest city. The Ehime Prefecture lies to the south-west of Kagawa, and the Tokushima Prefecture lies to the south. Kagawa is a narrow prefecture as prefectures of Japan go, being situated between the mountains of the island and the surrounding sea.

Answer: Kochi

Sakamoto Ryōma (1836-67) was a crucial figure during the Meiji Restoration. The son of a gōshi ("country samurai"), Ryōma wished for a modernized Japan and worked to overthrow the shogunate that the Tokugawa had founded 250 years previously. He was assassinated at aged 31 in Kyoto.

Kōchi is the capital of the Kōchi Prefecture, located on the south coast of Shikoku. The city holds the Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum and the Ryōma's Birthplace Memorial Museum. Also within the city lies the Makino Botanical Garden, named for Tomitaro Makino (1862-1957) the "Father of Japanese Botany."

Answer: Naruto Strait

Awaji Island is part of Honshu's Hyōgo Prefecture, and is connected to Shikoku via the Ōnaruto Suspension Bridge. The Naruto whirlpools can be seen underneath this bridge, and can reach up to 20 meters (65 feet) in diameter. These whirlpools are a result of the extreme change in tidal variations, between the Seto Inland Sea and the Kii Channel. This area is said to sport the fastest tidal current of Japan.

As the whirlpools attract spectators, the Ōnaruto Bridge is equipped with a glass floor so that tourists can observe the whirlpools clearly.

Answer: Shimanto

At just over 120 miles (96 km) in length, the Shimanto River is described as being Japan's last free-flowing river that is crystal clear, and unaffected by pollution. Mountains run alongside the river, and canoeing is popular here due to the unspoilt nature of the area. The river flows like a ring along the southeastern corner of Shikoku's Kochi Prefecture.

Answer: Takamatsu

Situated along the Seto Inland Sea, Takamatsu is a port city and the closest one to the island of Honshu via Shikoku. The city also provides a route to other islands, such as Ogijima, Megijima, Shodoshima, and Naoshima. Around 80% of Takamatsu's infrastructure was destroyed during World War II, however the city has recovered and flourished since then, with art and shopping being heavily featured. Kitahama Alley is particularly notable, housing many shops and cafes, and is located in a historical warehouse dating back from the Showa period.

South of the city in the mountains lies Shionoe Hot Springs, the hot springs that revered Japanese Buddhist monk, Kobo-Daishi (also known as Kukai) was fond of.

Japan's largest producer of cranes, Tadano Limited, was founded in Takamatsu in 1948 and had its headquarters there.

Answer: Mitoyo

Mount Shiude's name roughly translates to "the mountain where purple clouds emerge." It gets its name from the legend of Urashima Taro, who was a fisherman who rescued a turtle. To thank the fisherman for saving his life, the turtle took him to a palace under the sea, where he was greeted by a beautiful princess. He eventually became homesick and asked to be returned. The princess agreed on the condition that he take a box home, but never open it. Upon returning, Urashima Taro noticed that many years had passed since he had been in his village. He opened the box and a cloud of purple smoke escaped, transforming him into an old man. It is said that the purple smoke that escaped stayed around Mount Shiude. The mountain blooms with cherry blossoms in spring, and hydrangeas in summer. Mount Shiude is around 1,150 feet (350 m) high.

Mitoyo is located in Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture. Mitoyo's Chichibugahama Beach has been regularly coined number one in "Japan's Best Sunset Spots to Visit."

Answer: Yoshino

At just over 120 miles (195 km), the Yoshino River is very slightly shorter than Shikoku's longest river, the Shimanto. It is hailed as the third of Japan's three great rivers, after the Tone on the island of Honshu, and the Chikugo on the island of Kyushu. It is nicknamed "Shikoku Saburō," with Saburō being a popular name for the third male child within families in Japan.

Answer: Marugame

Marugame is located in Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture. The tradition of making fans originated from 1633, where they were first sold as souvenirs to people travelling along the city's port. The fan is traditionally curved, made from a single bamboo stick and rice paper and adorned with red paint.

The red colour is purported to scare away evil spirits and entities. The demand for uchiwa fans has declined rapidly after the invention of electric fans and air conditioning, however there are still those who appreciate this tradition of Marugame and wish to keep it alive.

Answer: Higashikagawa

Higashikagawa is estimated to produce 90% of Japan's domestically created gloves. This city's history of glove making goes as far back as the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The demand for gloves increased in 1914 during World War I. Higashikagawa has a museum dedicated to gloves.

True to its name which means "east Kagawa," Higashikagawa is situated in the east of Shikoku's Kagawa Prefecture.

Answer: Imabari

The Towel Museum Ichihiro sprang from Imabari's long history of towel making. Competition from overseas, however, has made it difficult for a company to sell exclusively towels. The museum is a response to this, showcasing intricately designed towels and textiles. There are also three floors of shops including a French tea shop for visitors. It also features a garden which has citrus trees.

Imabari is located within Shikoku's Ehime Prefecture, and is the prefecture's second-largest city. As well as the towel museum it is also known for the Imabari Castle, which was constructed between 1602-1604. Construction was ordered by Japanese daimyo (feudal lord) Tōdō Takatora.