Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four major islands and consists of four prefectures, each with its own unique food culture. From Kagawa’s Sanuki udon to Kochi’s grilled bonito, from Ehime’s mandarin oranges to Tokushima’s Awa tail chicken, each prefecture has a classic delicacy that represents all of Japan.
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Kagawa Prefecture
Kagawa Prefecture — Japan’s smallest prefecture, but ranks first in udon consumption in the country.
###Must-eat food
– Sanuki Udon (Sanuki Udon) — Japan’s most famous udon, the noodles are springy and chewy
– Bone-in chicken drumstick (bone-mounted bird) — Marugame’s specialty, whole chicken leg charcoal-grilled
– Soy Sauce Beans (しょうゆまめ) — Boiled soybeans seasoned with soy sauce and sugar
– Shodoshima Olives — Shodoshima is the birthplace of Japanese olives
### Recommended souvenirs
– Sanuki Udon — Dried udon gift box, also comes with sauce set
– Shodoshima Olive Oil — high quality Japanese olive oil
– Soy Sauce Beans — Convenient Snacks
– オリーブハマチ — Olive-raised amberjack products
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Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture — The Kingdom of Mikan, ranking first in citrus fruit production in Japan.
###Must-eat food
– Mandarin orange (みかん) — Ehime is the prefecture with the largest production of mandarin oranges in Japan
– じゃこ天 — Fried fish plate from the Uwajima region, made with sardine juveniles
– Uwajima Sea Bream Rice — Sashimi rice bowl served with mayonnaise and soy sauce
– Five-colored plain noodles — Ehime-style colorful plain noodles
### Recommended souvenirs
– Mandarin products — mandarin juice, mandarin jelly, mandarin jam
– じゃこ天 — Vacuum-packed fried fish plate
– Mother Dream (ポエム) — Ehime’s representative dessert, cream layer cake
– タルト — Ehime traditional dessert, red bean paste and mandarin jam
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Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture — Eastern Shikoku, famous for Awa Odori and sour oranges.
###Must-eat food
– Awa Oo Chicken (Awa Oo) — Tokushima brand local chicken, firm meat
– Sour tangerine (すだち) — Tokushima’s most produced citrus in Japan, with a sour and refreshing aroma
– Tokushima Ramen — Tonkotsu soy sauce base with raw egg and pork back fat
– Awa Nori — High-quality nori from Naruto Strait
### Recommended souvenirs
– Clementine products — lime juice, lime seasoning, lime jelly
– Awabi chicken processed products — chicken curry, chicken jerky
– Naruto Kintoki Sweet Potato Dessert — Making sweet potatoes from Tokushima
– Awa Odori related souvenirs
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Kochi Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture — On the Pacific coast in the southern part of Shikoku, fisheries are developed.
###Must-eat food
– Grilled bonito (カツオのたたき) — Straw grilled surface, served with garlic and soy sauce
– Yuzu (ゆず) — Kochi is the largest yuzu producer in Japan
– Saba-ryori (Saba-ryori) — A large dish for banquets, rich in seafood
– Natural eels from the Shimanto River — High-quality eels raised in clear streams
### Recommended souvenirs
– Yuzu products — yuzu jam, yuzu juice, yuzu pepper, yuzu snacks
– Processed bonito products — Grilled bonito baguette, bonito flakes
– MiRé Biscuits — Kochi representative foreign confectionery
– Tosa’s Yakichu — Kochi’s high-quality taro yakichu