A trip around the entertainment districts of the Shikoku region. Okaido near Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Harimaya Town in Kochi, and Ryogoku Bridge in Tokushima. We will introduce you to the unique nightlife towns of the four prefectures of Shikoku.
📍 Matsuyama Okaido Road
Origin/History
The history of Okaido begins with its development as a post town of Dogo Onsen. Dogo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring with a history of about 3,000 years, was crowded with tourists and visitors for hot spring treatments, and Okaido flourished as a temple town. Matsuyama’s largest downtown area developed along with Dogo Onsen, which has continued since the Edo period. As a castle town located at the foot of Matsuyama Castle, history and culture are alive and well.
Features
Matsuyama’s largest downtown area within walking distance from Dogo Onsen. There are many restaurants and shops centered around the Okaido shopping street. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy Ehime Prefecture’s specialties such as “mikan”, “taimeshi”, and “jakoten”. A standard Matsuyama itinerary is to relax at Dogo Onsen and then enjoy food and drinks on Okaido.
Recommended spots
Access
Short walk from Iyo Railway Okaido Station. Approximately 10 minutes by Iyo Railway from JR Matsuyama Station. It is about a 15 minute walk to Dogo Onsen. It takes about 15 minutes by limousine bus from Matsuyama Airport to Matsuyama City Station.
Precautions
The Dogo Onsen main building has been undergoing conservation and repair work since 2024, but you can still take a bath in the annex “Asuka-no-Yu.” It gets crowded during the tourist season (especially in the fall when the leaves change color). If you want to enjoy the hot springs and nightlife at the same time, be careful about time allocation.
📍 Kochi Harimaya Town
Origin/History
Harimaya Town’s name comes from the wealthy Edo period merchant “Harimaya”. It is also famous as a place connected to Ryoma Sakamoto, and there are still restaurants and izakaya that Ryoma often visited. This area developed as a castle town for Kochi Castle, and is now Kochi’s largest entertainment district. It is also famous as the venue for the Yosakoi Festival.
Features
Kochi’s largest entertainment district. Speaking of Kochi, “bonito tataki” and “sake” are famous, and the izakaya that serves straw-grilled bonito tataki is a must-see. Harimaya Bridge, the symbol of Harimaya Town, is a symbol of Kochi that is also sung in Yosakoi Bushi. If you like Sakamoto Ryoma, it’s fun to visit spots related to Ryoma. The people of Kochi are famous for their love of drinking, and the area is lively until late at night.
Recommended spots
Access
Short walk from Tosaden Kotsu “Harimayabashi Tram Stop”. About 15 minutes walk from JR Kochi Station. It takes about 30 minutes by limousine bus from Kochi Ryoma Airport to Kochi Station.
Precautions
Hirome Market is open until late at night, but closing times vary depending on the store. The city is extremely crowded during the Yosakoi Festival (August 9th to 12th), and accommodations fill up quickly.
📍 Tokushima Ryogoku Bridge
Origin/History
The downtown area of Tokushima City developed as the castle town of Tokushima Castle. The area around Ryogoku Bridge is where former samurai residences and merchant towns meet, and its name comes from the bridge that spans the border between the two countries. It is the night center of Tokushima, famous for Awa Odori.
Features
There are many restaurants from the area in front of Tokushima Station to around Ryogoku Bridge. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy Tokushima’s specialties, “Awaodori”, “Tokushima Ramen”, and “Sudachi”. During the Awa Odori festival (August 12th to 15th), the city is filled with the excitement of dancing, creating a special atmosphere.
Access
About 10 minutes walk from JR Tokushima Station. Approximately 1 hour by limited express train from Takamatsu Station.
📝 Summary
The entertainment districts of the Shikoku region strongly reflect the individuality of each prefecture. Matsuyama is relaxing with Dogo Onsen, Kochi is hot with Ryoma and bonito, and Tokushima is with the dynamism of Awa Odori. Travel around Shikoku and enjoy the nighttime charm of each region.