Shikoku: A Bit of Japan

The author's reflections on Shikoku, as presented in Die Zeit, capture a sense of discovery and allure distinct from the more frequented Japanese tourist hubs. The piece highlights Shikoku's unique position as Japan's smallest of the four main islands, yet it possesses a scale and character that defies its size, encompassing 18,000 square kilometers and four million people across its four prefectures.

What sets Shikoku apart, according to the narrative, is its air of mystery. While major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka offer predictable, albeit wonderful, experiences shaped by countless previous visitors, Shikoku promises something different. The inclusion of 625 smaller islands surrounding the main one adds to this sense of a vast, unexplored territory, inviting a more personal and perhaps less-trodden journey.

The description of the journey itself—watching blurred lights pass the window, hearing the train cross the Seto Bridge, and the limitations of a camera in low light—sets a contemplative mood. This is not the fast-paced, high-octane experience often associated with modern Japan, but rather a more introspective engagement with the landscape and the journey.

Die Zeit's framing of Shikoku as 'Bisschen Japan' (A Bit of Japan) subtly suggests that while it is undeniably Japanese, it offers a concentrated or perhaps a more intimate experience of the country. It appeals to travelers seeking an experience that feels less curated by global tourism trends and more authentic to a specific, perhaps quieter, facet of Japanese culture and geography.