Looking for tips about Shikoku

I'm looking for travel recommendations for Shikoku.
I'm familiar with the Shikoku at this website (http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1107.html) and I have visited Matsuyama and loved it. We'll be visiting the larger towns, of course, but I'm specifically looking for onsen, scenery and photogenic areas and historic building recommendations.

Then I recommend Uchiko near Matsuyama and the Iya Valley in Tokushima Prefecture.

Thanks Uji, do you have any onsen recommendations except for Dogo-onsen which I have been to and will certainly be visiting again? I'm mostly interested in traditional onsen like Yunohira (Kyushu), Nyuto (Akita) and Naruko onsen, etc.

Info about whole Shikoku[PDF]
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-607.pdf

Much obliged for the link, I have just added Ogijima Island and Megijima Island to my list of must see locations.

Hi, a little away from what you listed, but naoshima I feel is well worth a visit if you're going to Shikoku:

http://www.naoshima-is.co.jp/english/

I can't remember the name of the place for now, but west of Matsuyama there is a great place with a really old town area with the old market shops, Spirited away style (though some days these are closed). I'll let you know if I remember the name, but some guide books likst this.

If you get the chance, seeing Mount Ishizuchi is amazing, and the climb is great. It's a little tricky getting there without a car though. There are buses from Matsuyama, or you could get a train to Matsuyama go to Iyo Saijo and a shorter bus ride from there. You have to be very carefull with timings though.

Thanks Paul, that sounds very interesting!

I've been to Naoshima in 2005 and to be honest I found it a disappointment. It was nice walking - about 8 km - between several villages and my minshuku (forgot the name, sorry) was great but what most tourists attracks is the museum called Benesse House. Expensive (in 2005 it costed 2000 yen entrance), absolutely no pictures allowed and imo highly overrated for so less art objects.

On Shikoku I have only been to Dogo Onsen and Iya Onsen.

Iya Onsen is a single ryokan kilometers from any other building, standing on the steep slopes of a wooded valley, far above the valley floor. You need to take a cablecar down to the valley floor, where there is a luke warm onsen bath.

The onsen and the interior of the ryokan building are nothing outstanding, wouldn't it be for the exceptional location. The views from the rooms must be great (I stayed in a room without views). The food was very good.

Thanks everybody, I was planning on exploring Iya Valley as good as can be done without too much hiking. Has anybody visited Alex Kerr's project to restore one of the old houses there: Chiiori, or "House of the Flute"?
http://www.chiiori.org/

Have you been to Kotohira ( Kompira-san), Ritsurin-koen in Takamatsu, Uwayima (Taga-jinja), Shodoshima (Kankakei Gorge), tiny island Kaishima (near Iyowake, Matsuyama)? All nice (or even great) to do / see.

Thanks all, this tread is starting to get a real treasure grove for people thinking about exploring Shikoku ^_^

Does anyone know if you can contact Iya Onsen by email to book a room with a view in advance.

The English website is here: http://www.iyaonsen.co.jp/english.html
The Iya Onsen Hotels has the following email address: info@iyaonsen.co.jp but I'm not sure you can use it to book. They do have an online booking system on their webpage though: http://www.493ban.net/client/i070372/reserve_system/plan_sea...

Paul said "but west of Matsuyama there is a great place with a really old town area with the old market shops"

About the only thing west of Matsuyama is water :-) Did you mean Tosakure which is west ( south west ) of Kochi. There is an old market there. Somewhat subjective as to whether it's worth the detour though.
http://danilla-grando.fotopic.net/p48306974.html