Since these cities aren't what the typical tourist thinks to drop in on, you also won’t have to suffer through the crushing crowds, and can instead enjoy a more relaxed, authentic taste of Japanese beauty and culture.

Attracted by the panoramic views that Shikoku Karst has to offer, I decided that this was definitely one of my must-sees in Kochi, and off we went to Shikoku Karst on an early weekend morning in the middle of September.

Tucked away below Japan’s main island of Honshu, Shikoku Island is home to four prefectures, all known for being more rural and traditional. Being disconnected from the main island of Japan has its advantages though, the island is packed full of authentically Japanese spots to visit. Ehime is the most recognizable of Shikoku, with sights linking it to the famous studio Ghibli, and the Japanese royal family.

When most people think travel in Japan it's mostly the big cities like Tokyo, Osaka,
Kyoto... and these are the places that have gotten overcrowded, especially during peak
seasons.

Imabari is proud of one product: the towel. At the Imabari Towel Museum, you can see how a towel is made, have your own bespoke towel made with your name embroidered on it, and see thousands of different kinds of towels on display. This device for washing and drying your body is taken very seriously here and will have you leaving with the impression that the towel is the tool of 1000 uses.

All onsen-lovers and Ghilbi fans should make a pilgrimage to Dogo Onsen located in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. With a history of over 3,000 years, Dogo Onsen is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan.

Shimanami Kaido is a 74-kilometre bikeway that connects Japan’s main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku.

When I am tired of the mundane routine activities and hectic days during the week, I take a break during weekends - the best time for natural tourism.

Kiya Ryokan is a unique kind of Ryokan where the modern and the traditional come together and is a Ryokan experience unlike any other! It is located in the heart of Uwajima a city in the south of Ehime prefecture.

I have often visited Matsuyama in my free time, and the best thing about it would have to be the beautiful Matsuyama castle sitting upon Mount Katsuyama in the middle of the city center of Ehime prefecture. This castle was built continuously since 1603 and is one of the twelve original castles in Japan that were built before the Edo era and is still intact till today.

Ehime is located on the smallest island of Japan, Shikoku island, more than 500 kilometres far from Tokyo. The biggest city in Ehime is Matsuyama. You will find the combination of modernity and tradition in this city.

Kikuma is a small town between Matsuyama and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. Kamo Shrine in Kikuma stands against a hillside near a little river that runs down to the Seto Inland Sea.