Shikoku North to South Self-guided Adventure
Explore Shikoku from North to South. A compact cycling self-guided adventure showcasing the best landscapes Shikoku has to offer.
Tour price:
from 3,100 USD
Duration:
7 Days
Distance:
300km
Difficulty:
Medium
Start Location:
Takamatsu
End Location:
Kochi
Highlights
Explore the city of Takamatsu and get a bowl of udon before heading out to see Ritsurin Gardens, one of the top four gardens in Japan. Visit Zentsuji, one of the 88 temples of the Henro pilgrimage to spend a night in a Buddhist temple and join an early morning prayer ceremony with the monks.
Ride along small country roads and rivers to the Iya Valley and see the famous vine bridges that have helped locals cross deep gorges for centuries. Try the local fish in Kochi by the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Ride along the deep ocean where whaling was prevalent in the past.
This tour is off the beaten track and beautifully scenic.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Cycling Toward Zen and Tradition
Start in Takamatsu and visit one of the top 4 parks in Japan, Ritsurin Gardens and have tea in a 100 year old tea house. Continue on to Zentsu-ji, a 1200year old Buddhist temple and stay in the temple overnight to experience temple life and Shojin food – a simple, traditional buddhist fare. An early night’s rest is recommended, in order to attend the 06:00am morning prayer service.
Distance: 45km
Start location: Takamatsu
End location: Zentsuji
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2
Pedaling to Shrines and Ocean Vistas
After the morning service, explore the temple and ride on to the Shonai peninsula for breathtaking ocean views. Visit the Takaya Shinto Shrine. Stay in the town of Kanonji to see the giant 5 yen coin sand sculpture.
Distance: 40km
Start location: Zentsuji
End location: Kanonji
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks & Dinner
Day 3
Into Iya’s Ancient Mountain Paths
Leave the coast and head to the mountains. Our destination is the Iya valley, a picturesque mountain town to visit the famous vine bridges and enjoy the hot springs. These bridges helped mountain people cross deep gorges over the past 1000 years.
Distance: 55km
Start location: Kanonji
End location: Iya Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks & Dinner
Day 4
A Downhill to the Ocean
Enjoy the mountain downhill ride to the Pacific Ocean town of Kochi. A former whaling town that now specializes in deep sea fish. Eat great fish in the Hirome Ichiba (fish market stalls.) Have a drink with local people who enjoy quality beer and sake.
Distance: 65km
Start location: Iya valley
End location: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks & Dinner
Day 5
Sightseeing Historical Port City
Spend the day exploring Kochi castle and sightseeing & shopping in the town. There are many things to do here. Kochi is also famous for high quality knives used by many prestigious restaurants. Buy a real Sushi knife for a keepsake that is both beautiful and practical.
Distance: Rest Day
Start location: Kochi
End location: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks & Dinner
Day 6
Coastal Whalespotting Ride
Ride the coastal southern skyline to Suzaki, another famous fishing town and taste the local delicacies. The ocean is very deep here and whales can sometimes be seen off the coast.
Distance: 45km
Start location: Kochi
End location: Suzaki
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks & Dinner
Day 7
Follow the Picturesque Nyodo
Leave the coast and head back into the mountains to ride down the lovely Nyodo river back into Kochi city. This tour is packed with great rides off the beaten track. Lovely sealed small roads with very low car traffic. A cyclist’s dream!
Distance: 58km
Start location: Suzaki
End location: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks & Dinner
What's included
Accommodation
All long tours booked with Cycling Shikoku include accommodation.
In order to ensure you have the best insight into Japanese lifestyle, we carefully choose from a variety of accommodation styles including Japanese inns with futon beds or ryokans, traditional guesthouses with onsen mineral baths, as well as some western style hotels.
We only work with trusted accommodation providers in all daily destinations that we operate in.
Reach out to learn more about accommodation on the tour of your choice.
Bicycles & gear
On all our tours you can expect to be fitted with a top-quality bicycle.
Our standard tour bikes are hybrid and road bike builds from some of the most trusted brands in the world: Merida, GT, Specialized and Cannondale.
Self-Guided Gear & Support
On a self-guided tour, your bike will be additionally equipped with convenient and water-resistant storage bags to keep your essentials at hand. Furthermore, you will receive a set of handy bike tools with which you can tackle any basic issues. Regardless, when touring self-guided, you are always one phone call away from our mechanical and logistical support, who will meet you on location in case of an unlikely mechanical or offer help with any other issue.
You are in safe hands!
Luggage Transfer
Only carry the essentials — we will take care of the rest! Your luggage will be safely delivered to your day’s destination accommodations and available upon check-in.
Optional E-bikes
On request, and for additional price, we can fit you with a Miyata Cruise e-bike – a comfortable build with a capacity to support your cycling effort for over 100km daily.
Optional Shimanami Kaido Tour Extenstion
Shimanami Kaido, a famous island hopping route that connects Shikoku with Japan’s mainland, isn’t included in this itinerary—but it can be! If you’d like, we can craft an extension to include this incredible route, customised to fit your Japan holiday schedule.
Optional Arrival & Departure Transfer
On demand and subject to additional charge, we will make transfer arrangements or pick you up ourselves, from your point of arrival in Japan.