Cycling Shimanami 22 Shikoku highlights
2022 Official tour | Maximum 6 people
Price
215,000 JPY
Duration
7 Days | 6 Nights
Level
Tour Dates (2022)
29 Oct – 4 Nov
日本語のページはこちら
A 7 day 6 night guided and fully supported cycling tour across Japan’s remotest island. Experience outrageous views, fascinating history, and enchanting culture as you cross bridges, climb into the mountains, journey through cities and small villages, eat outstanding local food, and stay in a mixture of traditional and modern accommodation. This tour includes entry to the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event – cycle over the world-famous Shimanami Kaido with 7,000 other cyclists – it’s not to be missed!
| Cycling Shimanami ’22 | Local Guides | Small Groups | |||||
| Meals & Accommodation | Fully Supported | Popular sightseeing |
ABOUT THIS TOUR
Explore Shikoku and the best cycling that Japan has to offer. Unbelievable landscapes, epic bridges, challenging climbs, cinematic seascapes, great accommodation, and stunning local cuisine, this seven-day tour takes you through the heart of Shikoku and visits the natural and cultural highlights of the island. It’s perfect for those who love cycling and want to experience the varied beauty of Shikoku, Japan’s best kept secret.
This tour lasts 7 days and 6 nights, with epic cycling and plenty of time to enjoy the villages, towns and cities through which we pass. The tour starts in Onomichi, the start of the world-famous Shimanami Kaido. On Day 2, we will join the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event, cycling on the expressway over the Seto Inland Sea with 7,000 others – it’s the perfect way to see this beautiful area and an absolute must for anyone who likes cycling! That evening we stay in Matsuyama, the prefectural capital, with opportunities to visit one of the oldest castles and the oldest hot spring in Japan. See the sites, enjoy hot springs, visit local sake distilleries, and much more.
Read More
Start of the trip
Day 2
Matsuyama
Day 3
Matsuyama
Day 4
Nyodo River
Day 5
Kochi
Day 6
Iya Valley
Finish
Kotohira
- Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
- Difficulty: 4/5 – Suitable for people who frequently cycle and who don’t hate hills.
- Special feature: Day 2 is the Cycling Shimanami 2022 A course from Onomichi to Imabari.
- Price: 225,000 JPY (click here to see how much this is in other currencies).
- Group size: 4-6 guests (the tour needs four people to run).
- Things to see
- Things to eat
- The world famous Shimanami Kaido.
- The best roads on Shikoku.
- Popular sights of Shikoku - we've chosen the route for a balance of great cycling and fantastic locations. For example, you will visit the following:
- Dogo Onsen - the oldest hot spring in Japan.
- Uchiko - a pretty town with traditional architecture in the mountains of Ehime Prefecture.
- The Iya Valley - with steep sides and the picturesque Yoshino River, this is a must-see of any trip to Shikoku.
- Matsuyama and Kochi - sample the fascinating culture in these two cities. Opportunities to visit famous castles and temples, and enjoy popular street food markets.
- Nakatsu keikoku - a beautiful gorge with crystal clear water.
- The Niyodogawa - Known for its translucent blue hue, this is a beautiful river to cycle alongside.
- Kompirasan - a picturesque shrine built on the side of a mountain, with 1368 steps!
- Eat local traditional cuisine of the areas we pass through - opportunities to eat taimeshi, katsuo no tataki, Sanuki udon, and much more.
- Great Japanese food when we stay at luxury hot spring hotels.
- We have snacks and hydration (water, sports drinks, coffee) in the support car for you as needed during the ride.
- Support
- Food
- Accommodation
- Life-long Memories
- An English-speaking member of staff will meet you in the hotel on Day 1 and help you prepare and register for the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event.
- An English-speaking guide will accompany you on Days 3-7. A member of staff will also ride the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event in case of any issues.
- A support van (no support van on Day 2 as the Shimanami Kaido is closed to vehicles. Please carry your own maintenance equipment on that day).
- Luggage transfer while on the tour.
- Snacks and drinks while riding.
- Day 2: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7: Breakfast, Lunch
Note: Additional orders and drinks are not included.
- Day 1: Business hotel - Onomichi Daiichi Hotel (Onomichi)
- Day 2: Business hotel - Hakuro (Dogo, Matsuyama)
- Day 3: Business hotel - AtoZ (Uchiko)
- Day 4: Hot spring hotel - Akibanoyado (Nakatsu)
- Day 5: Business hotel with a hot spring - Dormy Inn (Kochi)
- Day 6: Hot spring ryokan - Iya Onsen Hotel (Iya)
Notes:
- The above hotels are subject to change based on availability. We will endeavour to book hotels of the same class if changes occur. We will return the difference if a reduction in class occurs.
- It may not be possible to meet all requests for single rooms.
- Accommodation on Day 7 is not included. Please contact us for recommendations if needed.
- Incredible views and lifelong memories.
- A Hidden Japan Travel water bottle and finisher towel.
- We also have Hidden Japan Travel cycling jerseys available for purchase. Let us know before the tour if you'd like one.
- Did we mention the amazing views?
From 215,000 JPY per person based on shared twin room.
- There is no fee for single travellers. Single travellers share a room with another group member. If you require a single room, there is a supplement of 35,000 JPY. Please note, it may not always be possible to meet all requests for single rooms.
- We need a minimum of 4 to run the tour. The tour will be cancelled if this threshold is not met.
- Maximum group size of 6
- After reading the Terms & Conditions, click the Enquire about this Tour button and submit the form.
- We will get back to you to confirm your reservation and send you a reservation form.
- Once you’ve sent this back to us, we’ll arrange for your payment. We accept credit card and wire transfer. Please note, that 15,000 JPY of the fee covers your entry to the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event. This is non-refundable.
Please click here for our terms and conditions.
Additional Conditions
- be able to cycle 70kms in 5 hours (this is the length of the Cycling Shimanami A course).
- be able to cycle 50-80kms per day for 6 consecutive days. The average distance is 63kms a day.
- have travel insurance. We won’t check this but it is a condition of the tour.
- we advise you to use your own road bike. If absolutely necessary we can orgainise a cross bike for you (subject to availability). Hidden Japan Travel staff have completed the route on cross bikes – it is possible!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Onomichi
C 0km | Sea, Onomichi city | Not included | Business hotel
Meet at the hotel between 14.00 and 15.00. Walk to the registration desk to check in for the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event by 17.00. Leave a day pack at the registration desk with clothes to use after the event. Check into the hotel and enjoy free time in Onomichi. Onomichi is accessible by bullet train and close to Hiroshima Airport (click here to learn about cheap internal flights if you live outside Japan).
Note: There is no registration on the day of the event.
Day 2: Cycling Shimanami 2022 Event
70 kms + 5 | A course | The Shimanami Kaido | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Business hotel
Take part in the Cycling Shimanami 2022 Event, journeying across the Seto Inland Sea. After completing the ride, have lunch at the finish. Then jump on a shuttle bus or cycle train to Matsuyama. Cycle through the city, looking at the castle, towards your hotel. Enjoy the famous Dogo Onsen area in the evening with a local dish, tai meshi and a glass of local sake. Free time after dinner.
Note: During the Cycling Shimanami 2022 event, please follow the event policies (click here)
Day 3: Matsuyama - Uchiko
Optional moriningvisit to Ishite Temple – one of the temples of the pilgrimage of Shikoku. Cycle through the city of Matsuyama to the coast for lunch at a popular beach. Then climb into the mountains before a fast descent into the mountain town of Uchiko. Dinner at a local restaurant to round off the day.
Day 4: Uchiko - Nakatsu Gorge
70 kms | Total 650m ↑| In the mountains | Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Japanese hot spring hotel
Climb into the mountains on one of our favourite roads. The cycling then follows a picturesque river. Stay in a stunning hotel in a remote gorge.
Day 5: Nakatsu Gorge - Kochi City
55 kms | Total 120m ↑| Mountians & rivers | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Business hotel
An optional morning walk in the spectacular Nakatsu Gorge. Then cycle out of the mountains along one of Japan’s most celebrated rivers, with opportunities for impromptu wild swimming to cool off. Reach the city of Kochi and visit a famous street food market.
Day 6: Kochi City - The Iya Valley
80 kms | Total 1000m ↑ | Mountains & gorge | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Japanese hot spring hotel
Cycle out of the city and up into the celebrated Iya Valley. A challenging climb rewards outrageous landscapes. Cycle down the valley surrounded with terraced rice fields and walk across the famous vine bridges of the Heike warriors. Stay in a traditional Japanese inn with a funicular railway to a riverside hot spring.
Day 7: The Iya Valley - Kompira Shrine
50 kms | Total 500m ↑ | River & mountains | Breakfast & Lunch | Final day 
Journey out of the Iya Valley along the beautiful Yoshino River. After a final climb, we arrive at the acclaimed Konpira Shrine, a popular area and our final highlight. After exploring the shrine, we share a drink and reflect on our seven-day journey into hidden Japan. There are train stations nearby that connect with the bullet train. Alternatively, Takamatsu Airport is a few kms away (click here to learn about cheap internal flights if you live outside Japan). Let us know if you require airport transfer or would like us to organise accommodation for the final night.