Shikoku in October

Spring and fall offer Shikoku's best weather and scenery. Cherry blossoms peak in early April, starting in southern Kochi and moving north to Kagawa by mid-month. Temperatures stay comfortable for hiking, and mountain temples look spectacular framed by pink petals. Fall colors arrive in November, painting the mountain valleys in brilliant reds and golds. May brings fresh green leaves and fewer crowds than cherry blossom season. September through November provides stable weather for the pilgrimage walk, though typhoons occasionally disrupt travel in September. Winter stays mild along the coasts but brings snow to mountain areas—some temple lodgings close, and mountain roads become impassable. Summer means intense heat and humidity, plus the rainy season in June and July. But summer also brings festivals like Awa Odori and the chance to experience traditional bon dancing in remote villages.