From Shikoku to Shimanami Kaido Self-guided Adventure
Ride the ultimate self-guided coastal tour of Shikoku. Visit the fishing communities, explore one of Japan’s last remaining castles and go on an epic island-hopping ride across the Seto Archipelago on this supported self-guided tour of Shikoku.
Tour price:
from 4,700 USD
Duration:
10 Days
Distance:
610km
Difficulty:
Medium/Demanding
Start Location:
Tokushima
End Location:
Onomichi
Highlights
Heading out of Tokushima, you will visit local fishing communities as you follow the coast of the Pacific towards Kochi, where you will visit one of Japan’s historic castles. Continue along the back roads of the Shimanto river towards Uwajima for lessons in Japanese culture and history and spend a night in Matsuyama on the western coast of Shikoku to test traditional sake and to visit local breweries.
Finally, set out to take in the otherworldly panoramas of the Shimanami Kaido, the most popular island-hopping ride in Japan.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Riding Rivers to Sacred Seaside
Ride mountain roads and rivers to the seaside town of Hiwasa. Visit temple 23 Yakuo-ji (one of the temples of the famous 88 temple pilgrimage). Tour the local fishing village and see the Sea turtle protection center at the beach. Rest your feet in the town footbath and stay in a local inn converted from a 100 year old house.
Distance: 60km
Start location: Tokushima
End location: Hiwasa
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2
Cycling the Blue Pacific Edge
Leave Hiwasa for a fantastic day long coastal ride along the blue Pacific Ocean with breathtaking views. This is one of my favorite rides in Shikoku. Stop for lunch in a small fishing port with a farmers market. meet pilgrims along the route. Stay in the town of Muroto (formerly famous for whaling.) This is a fabulous way to see southern Tokushima.
Distance: 70km
Start location: Hiwasa
End location: Muroto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3
Rail Trails and Seafood into Kochi
Distance: 80km *
Start location: Moruto
End location: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4
Castle Streets and Craft Traditions
Spend the day in the covered shopping streets and explore Kochi castle, one of the few preserved historic castles in Japan. Kochi is famous for making wonderful sushi knives, a great souvenir to bring home.
Distance: Rest Day
Start location: Kochi
End location: Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5
Pedaling to Suzaki’s Peaceful Shores
A ride into Rural Japan — from Kochi to Suzaki. Another great coastal ride to this very small fishing village and stay in a classic Japanese house. Just lovely.
Distance: 50km
Start location: Kochi
End location: Suzaki
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
Riverside Roads to Shimanto’s Shores
Ride from Suzaki to Shimanto. Ride along small river roads and mountainsides. Stay in another private house near the beach with wonderful views.
Distance: 75km
Start location: Suzaki
End location: Shimanto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7
Pedaling Valleys Toward Coastal Onsen
Today we will follow a river through the mountains to the coast. You will have a chance to see many farmers fields and small towns along the way. This is a hilly ride and a nice change of pace. We will stay at an Onsen hotel in Otsuki.
Distance: 75km
Start location: Shimanto
End location: Otsuki
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8
Pedaling to Uwajima’s Pearl Shores
This day starts with a great loop ride to the tip of the cape and an inland ride to the town of Uwajima. Being a coastal city, Uwajima supports a couple of industries related to the sea, such as fishing and pearl cultivating. It is one of the top pearl producers in Japan. The accommodation for today is a western hotel in the vicinity of a historic castle and a lovely Tenshaen Garden (天赦園).
Distance: 75km
Start location: Otsuki
End location: Uwajima
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9
Pedaling to Uwajima’s Pearl Shores
This day starts with a great loop ride to the tip of the cape and an inland ride to the town of Uwajima. Being a coastal city, Uwajima supports a couple of industries related to the sea, such as fishing and pearl cultivating. It is one of the top pearl producers in Japan. The accommodation for today is a western hotel in the vicinity of a historic castle and a lovely Tenshaen Garden (天赦園).
Distance: 75km
Start location: Otsuki
End location: Uwajima
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10
The Grand Finale: Shimanami Kaido
This is the epic finish to our tour, riding the Shimanami Kaido. We start with a train transfer out of the city. Alighting at Hashihama train station we are getting back on the saddles to enjoy the thrill of island-hopping on the picture-perfect Shimanami Kaido route.
We will arrive at a western hotel in Onomichi, Hiroshima prefecture, where we will celebrate the end of the adventure with a great feast.
Distance: 75km
Start location: Matsuyama
End location: Onomichi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & 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 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.