When Shikoku Gives You Mikan, Make Mikan Juice!

True to its name, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures. Being the smallest among Japan's four major islands, it still packs a natural and cultural punch. Matsuyama Castle and Marugame Castle are two of the only twelve castles remaining in Japan, which have survived intact in the post-feudal era since 1868. Booklovers would love to explore the world of "Botchan" and Soseki Natsume with Dōgo Onsen, Hachiman Shrine as well as Bansuisou.

Aoshima is floating in the Seto Inland Sea. The Cat Paradise used to have hundreds habitants accompanied by these lovely creatures. Only 5 residents left and it will become a desert island in less than a decade predictably. Though it takes less than an hour from Iyo Nagahama to Cat Island, only 2 boats are available everyday. I felt blessed as it rained cats and dogs in the morning while sun-kissed weather afterwards allowed us to continue this curing journey.

Are you ready for a communication 101 intensive course? Cats with one tipped ear indicate they have already been spayed or neutered. When cats sit or lay down with their tail swishing gently, they probably feel secure and content. So giving them a nice neck and belly rub shows a friendly gesture. Even if they remain in the same position, watch out if their tails twitch or tap intensely as they might feel uncomfortable. Thank you, NEXT is the only way out.

If an island cannot satisfy your appetite, Shodoshima offers another ideal rural landscape. Best known as the filming location of award-winning movie Twenty-Four Eyes, this island is famous for soybean and olive plantations. Grab yourself a Kiki's broomstick and make a boomerang video in front of the replica of a Greek windmill; or holding hands with your beloved one in the Angel Road where your happily-ever-after dreams may come true.

How come the remote Shimonada Station has garnered popularity? Its proximity to the Seto Inland Sea provides an unparalleled seaview which attracts thousands of photographers. What is more deluxe than one sunset immersion? Twice is surely more lavish. When the low-tide pools in the Chichibugahama Beach coincide with the sunset, the skyview mirror creates boundless possibilities. The melding sea and sky leaves rooms for a world of imagination.

In Shikoku, ORANGE is the new black. Whether the ultimate mikan family tree, the magical mikan faucets, or the adorable mascot Mikyan and Dark Mikyan provides sufficient evidence of how much the residents fall in love with this citrus fruit. Annually, the Ehime Prefecture produces over 200,000 tonnes of citrus. Savoring from Kiyomi, Unshu Mikan, Shiranui, to Kawachi Bankan redefines your sensory system of what sweet and sour should be.