Discover Shikoku

Travel to Shikoku, Japan’s best kept secretA map of Japan to show that Shikoku is in the south
Our Tours

See Shikoku, Differently

From sea kayaking and cycling adventures, to cultral experiences,
we help you see the real Japan

Our Tours

Explore Shikoku

Travel to Shikoku with the locals who know it best

Our Tours

Go Outdoors, Fully Supported

Exploring rural Japan can be a challenge.
Relax. We take care of everything

Our tours

Experience Japanese Culture

Taste local cuisine, learn Japanese culture,
and experience world-class festivals

Our Tours

Travel, the way you like it

We work with you so your trip is unique and truly memorable

Our Tours

What are you waiting for?

We’re a licensed travel firm specialising in inbound travel.
We’re here to make sure your memories of travelling to Shikoku last a lifetime

Our tours

Shikoku’s outdoor & culture travel specialists since 2018


Had an amazing experience with Hidden Japan Travel. My husband and I did their self-guided Shimanami Kaido cycling tour and we had such a great time that we then did their Soba Making tour. Both unique and interesting experiences that were the highlight of our trip to Japan. Highly recommend.
DianaW
Tripadvisor Nov 2019 | UK

Five stars? Hidden Travel Japan deserve six! Our three days on the Shimanami Kaido were sublime – the perfect blend of independence with the reassurance of local back up if needed. We cannot recommend Hidden Japan Travel highly enough. We hope to travel with them again in future. It’s all true. It’s wonderful! Contact Hidden Japan Travel NOW, book your trip and see what we all mean!
Alwrites
Tripadvisor Dec 2019 | UK 

I really cannot say enough about what a great trip Miho and Sam put together. Communication and booking were quick and efficient with all my questions answered promptly and thoroughly. I have seen group tours of the Shimanani Kaido going for, literally, ten times the cost of Hidden Japan’s self-guided tour. Those are a waste of money. THIS is the way to travel, and I can’t imagine better people to arrange the trip. Thank you, Miho and Sam! My three days riding from Honshu to Shikoku were the highlight of my two weeks in Japan.

grrDoha
Tripadvisor Oct 2019 | Qatar

This tour was the big surprise on our first trip of Japan. We were passing through Shikoku-only spending two days there enroute to other destinations and chose this tour as a quick way to see this area. Miho’s tour was so all-around terrific that our visit to Matsuyama was a major highlight of our entire trip! We experienced so many things on this 5+ hour tour–from visiting a small port village, to several amazing food stops, a haiku tea garden, onsen foot bath, sake tasting. We did all this, leisurely biking from one place to the next, and stopping to chat with people along the way. 

Sue_G_10
Tripadvisor Jun 2019 | USA

In my search for a tour in Matsyama, I found “Hidden Japan Travel”. What a find! Miho & Sam suggested a custom tour for our day. Our day was so organized and perfectly planned. Email Miho and Sam and they will put together the best day for you. I hope to return and do some more biking with Hidden Japan Travel. Thanks so much.

LyndaG
Tripadvisor Jun 2019 | Canada

This excursion [was] the best I’ve ever had. Hidden Japan Travel took care of everything. The amount of culture and history we were able to fit in a day was staggering. Our guide, Miho was very knowledgeable.  She answered all of our questions as we had them. The surprise birthday party was perfect. An amazing tasting cake was provided, candles, and surprise poppers! We sang Happy birthday and then ate the cake and drank the provided sake, which was also the best sake I’ve ever had. Thank you Hidden Japan Travel for the private tour of Matsuyama. I’ve fallen in love with your city and want to visit again.

Amber L
Tripadvisor Jun 2019 | USA

We booked a private tour for our stop in Matsuyama while on a cruise aboard the Diamond Princess. Miho was an excellent guide and we enjoyed our day immensely. We have been on multiple cruises and excursions. This was hands down the best excursion ever. Thanks hiddentraveljapan for an unforgettable day.

Keith H
Tripadvisor May 2019 | USA

My partner Louise and I took the Food and Culture tour of Matsuyama. The tour is very well designed, and the real bonus is that you are off the beaten tourist path and Miho, being a local, makes all the right connections. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Miho is a top guide and delivers great value for money and is flexible to your interests. We highly recommend this tour – this was one of the most interesting days we spent in our 3 weeks of travel in Japan
MATRID
Tripadvisor April 2019 | USA
Kirousan

All TOURS

All Our Tours in One Place

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View of the Shimanami Kaido

SHIMANAMI KAIDO TOURS

Tours on the Shimanami Kaido

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A guest makes soba noodles with a local

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Cooking Classes and More 

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Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido

CYCLING TOURS

One & Multi-day Cycling Tours

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Dogo Onsen at night

CITY TOURS

One Day Small Group Tours

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Sea kayak

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Explore the  nature of Shikoku

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Camp

CAMPING TOURS

All Our Camping Packages

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Cyclinig

MULTI-DAY TOURS

All Our Multi-Day Tours

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Waterfall on Shikoku after Japanese cooking class

ONE-DAY TOURS

All Our One-Day Tours

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View of the Shimanami Kaido

TAXI TOURS

Sit Back and Relax

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Discover Shikoku

Get off the tourist track, out of the city, and really experience Japan

From cycling across islands in the Seto Inland Sea to cooking classes in the Japanese countryside, we’ll help you explore the real Japan. Experience, not just observe, parts of Japan that most travellers don’t see and interact with the locals who make these places so wonderful. Our tours are mainly based on Shikoku, the least visited of the four main islands of Japan. We’ll help you truly discover this hidden part of Japan. We’ll help you truly travel to Shikoku.

Unspoilt Shikoku

Map of Shikoku

We design tours with one principle in mind – to help you experience the beauty of Shikoku. Explore small islands, deserted beaches, and overgrown mountain trails. Eat at local restaurants, stay in small family-run traditional inns, and chat to locals. This is the Japan few get to see. We’re based on Shikoku – the most remote island of Japan, where oranges are sold on the roadside, and people greet you as you cycle by. If you’ve seen Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, if you’re ready to experience a different Japan, we’ve got the perfect plan for you. To see how a journey to Shikoku could fit within your trip to Japan, click here.

For information about getting to and away from Shikoku, click here.

Travel at your own pace

Good travel isn’t about checking places off lists or being led to the next “must see”. To give you the freedom to truly explore this beautiful environment, we offer either private guided tours or multi-day self-guided tours. If a tour is self-guided, we provide lots of support and information to make sure you have a fantastic time, but we want you to have an experience that’s unique, so we leave the decision-making up to you!

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We take care of everything

Exploring rural Japan can be a challenge. We take care of everything, leaving you to have the time of your life. On our short private tours, you will have a local guide, we’ll provide detailed instructions on where and when to meet, and we make all reservations. On our longer tours, we first book your accommodation, then on the day of your tour, we meet you and talk through the itinerary, take care of your bags, and provide you with the essentials for your journey. You can relax safe in the knowledge that your luggage will be waiting at your hotel each night, and there’ll always be someone nearby in case you need assistance. You’ll also get a phone to contact us and our handmade maps to make sure you have the best time. All this allows you to relax with peace of mind and fully enjoy yourself.

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We know shikoku better than anyone

We are passionate about showing off Shikoku and the places we hold close to our heart. We’ve spent years getting to know this island – the people, the routes, the beautiful landscape. Our goal is for you to love  Shikoku as much as we do, and we’re confident that you will.
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Wish you were here?

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