Touring styles
We operate our multi—day cycling adventures in two distinct touring styles: guided and self-guided
Guided tours:
Cycle Shikoku’s guided tours offer a fully supported, worry-free experience where every detail is taken care of for you from start to finish.
You pedal scenic routes with the expertise and companionship of a local guide who knows Shikoku’s roads, culture, and hidden gems intimately, while a support vehicle handles logistics, gear, and assistance along the way.
Accommodations, meals, quality bikes, route planning, an SAG van with roadside help are all arranged, so you can focus entirely on riding, sightseeing, and connecting with fellow cyclists.
These tours bring confidence and cultural depth to your journey, making them ideal for riders who want expert insight, camaraderie, and seamless adventure with minimal planning on their part.
Self-guided tours:
For cyclists who value freedom, flexibility, and independence, Cycle Shikoku’s self-guided tours provide a structured yet autonomous way to explore.
Rather than being accompanied by our team, you receive custom-designed routes, uploaded to a cycling computer along with GPX files to upload to the device of your own.
Our self-guided tours bring all other conveniences, such accommodation, excellent bikes, luggage transfers, and a support a call away — but you set your own pace each day and choose how long to ride, where to stop, and what to explore.
With essentials organized behind the scenes, the self-guided style lets you experience Japan’s landscapes, villages, and coastlines on your own terms while still having logistical backup when needed.
It’s a great option for confident riders who want the assurance of planning support without being tied to a group schedule.
Main inclusions
Accommodation
All multi-day 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. On request, and for additional price, we can also fit you with an e-bike – a comfortable build with a capacity to support your cycling effort for over 100km daily.
SAG Van
All our guided tours are accompanied by a SAG vehicle.
Our van is capable of handling bike transfers for groups as large as 10 people and can also help out those in your group, who feel like resting over a short section of ride. We also use our van to transfer your luggage, that you will be able to access during planned stops. Wherever you ride you will also be accompanied by a mechanic who will deal with any inconvenience that may arise during your ride – a flat tyre or any other unpredictable issue.
Self-guided support
We are a phonecall away from you at all times on your self-guided tour
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. Your luggage will be safely transferred and you will be able to access it at your day’s destination.
Booking availability
We are a flexible team and can accommodate almost any departure date that you prefer.
The best cycling conditions in Shikoku start with the onset of spring in March until May, and in the Autumn, September through November. While temperatures in these periods may be low, it will not stop you from having a great time on two wheels.
Summers in Japan can be hot and one should observe the typhoon forecasts which may hinder international travel or foil all cycling plans in the country. Japan is accustomed to dealing with these conditions and any damages caused by typhoons are usually quickly dealt with.
Late March until early May coincides with sakura blooming season. This period, along with the Autumn leaves period may see a bit more travelers on the roads, but it’s also the most rewarding time to visit Shikoku.
A yearly celebration, called the golden week, falls on May 1st-6th and is a time when Japan comes to a complete halt with the Japanese visiting their holy places and families. This period is very difficult for international travel as it’s close to impossible to secure your itinerary.
Reach out to consult the best time to visit Shikoku by bike.