Stunning Shikoku

25 km cycling

Welcome to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural center and hub of the modern art scene! Meet your guide and get your bike fitted before we start with our first ride around the city. It was Japan’s capital twice in two episodes and is still a center for heritage and art. We cycle along the river north of the city where we will visit the Bamboo Forest and the cherry blossom gardens (blossoming is depending of season). Continue to Tenryuij Temple before we ride onto Ryoanji in the east to see the famous zen-style garden.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

This morning we’ll board the train to the ferry station from which we will head to Naoshima Art Island. On a walking tour we discover the highlights of the island, including the droplet-shaped Teshima Art Museum, pop art sculptures and the dynamic architecture of Tadao Ando. Later in the afternoon we take our second ferry ride to the port city of Takamatsu where we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

70 km cycling

We’ll board the train again this morning for a short ride to Tokushima. Outsice of the center we will enjoy a scenic ride to Shishikui. A beautiful view of the coastline awaits you! During lunch break we will see Yakuo-ji, the 23rd of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

60 km cycling

Today’s cycling continues along the beautiful shorelines. We will pass Shinshouji, the 25th temple fo the Shikoku. Admire Kiragawa with its heritage stone walls and tiled roofs, which are in very good condition.

The last bit to Kochi we will enjoy designated cycling paths for 15 km, which used to be a railway. The view of the 400-year-old Kochi castle will appear above the skyline.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

30 km cycling

Recharge and rest. Spend your day strolling around this beautiful coastal city. Sights to see are the Kochi Castle, residence of Yamauchi Samurai, beaches or the Ryuga Cave. Or simple relax in an Onsen to get fit for the next day of cycling.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

65 km cycling

Recharged, we are now ready for today’s challenging ride. We leave the city by car and will start riding from a nice park. Cycle along Niyodo River which is popular among the local people for canoeing, camping and fishing.

Leaving the river, the road begins to gain height and enter a more remote region. Today’s climb will be in three stages, 8km, 8km and the last one 6km which will take us through the most beautiful forest so far.

Enjoy a fun descent towards Yusuhara where we will stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

35 km cycling (optional ride)

Traditional washi paper is made from fibers of tree bark and plants and often used for origami papers or shoji screens. We will visit Rogier, a Dutch national, and his Japanese wife which have been producing washi paper for over 25 years and got big recognition from Japan and beyond. Try your luck and create a lampshade or such item if your efforts permit it. Spend the afternoon wondering around this charming town or join our 35km cycling loop ride.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

58 km cycling

Cycle along clean rivers and through small riverside communities. There’s a small uphill climb and we’ll pass rice paddies and fields before we arrive back at the coast for a delicious lunch. Continue by train through the countryside and along the coast until we reach the next stop of our overnight, Imabari.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another highlight of this adventure is the Shimanami Kaido! A short ride brings you to the start of this epic cycling route. Enjoy the view of the clear blue water and islands in the horizon.
Dedicated cycle paths, roads with bike lanes and bridges over this archipelago make this a cyclist’s heaven! Spiral-shaped paths will lead down and up to bridges and we will include a special ferry for just cyclists to manage this distance.

Passing some last islands, we arrive at the coastal town of Onomich, our end point of this journey. Onomichi is home to a special variatye of Udon and you’ll have the evening free after dinner to explore this town on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our tour concludes today on Onomichi. Your guide can assist you with your further travel arrangements. Many destinations in Japan are just a few hours away by Bullet Train.