Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, likely has the best cycling that The Land of the Rising Sun has to offer. This 6-day, self-guided tour isn’t just about ancient Shinto temples, tasty authentic dishes, and traditional hot springs—though those alone are worth the trip. It’s also about the ride itself, the terrain that keeps every turn exciting. Expect pedalling along a world-renowned expressway connecting 5 islands, terraced rice fields, misty forests, untamed rivers valleys, and so much more. With this self-guided tour, leave the logistics to us and focus on what really matters—soaking in the authentic charm of Japan and the one-of-a-kind beauty of Shikoku!
Spend 6 days cycling at your own pace in search of authentic Japan in Shikoku, the country's smallest major island! Start off by traversing the scenic expressway of Shimanami Kaido and cross tens of miles each day witnessing the clash of nature, tradition, and modernity in Japanese cities, villages, sacred places, and unspoiled wilderness. Join a tour laced with traditional cuisine, quality lodging, and, of course, great cycling.
Make your way to Onomichi Station in the morning—accessible by bullet train and close to Hiroshima Airport. Your self-guided adventure starts with cycling over the world-famous Shimanami Kaido—a 37-mile expressway open for bikes connecting the biggest Japanese island of Honshu to the smallest of the main four islands—Shikoku. You’ll cover 5 islands and bridges, relish the scenic landscapes, and experience the culture of the Seto Inland Sea. Lodging on Day 1 is a Japanese hotel in a stunning location nestled by the shoreline.
Meals: Dinner
Cycling: 67 km (41.6 mi)
Elevation gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Japanese hotel
Finish the Shimanami Kaido route and head down the coast to the historic city of Matsuyama, the capital of the prefecture of Ehime. Cycling through the city, you’ll be able to view an impressive 17th-century Japanese castle. Continue cycling towards your hotel in the Dogo area. Wander about the Dogo Onsen area famous for its traditional hot springs. You’ll have ample time to explore the city, and you can go to one of the restaurants for dinner (at your own arrangement).
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 63 km (39.1 mi)
Elevation gain: 800 m (2,625 ft)
Accommodation: Business hotel
Your cycling on Day 3 starts along the streets of Matsuyama, before heading out of the city and climbing up the mountains following stunning roads surrounded by unspoiled nature. Cycle along a meandering river before you reach a remote gorge—inside of which is a hot spring hotel where you will stay for the night!
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 75 km (46.6 mi)
Elevation gain: 1,200 m (3,940 ft)
Accommodation: Japanese hot spring hotel
Start your day with an optional morning walk inside the spectacular Nakatsu Gorge. Later, you will cycle out of the mountains following one of Japan’s most celebrated rivers. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can go for impromptu wild swimming to cool off! Reach the city of Kochi and visit a famous street food market offering fresh seafood before heading to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 66 km (41 mi)
Elevation gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Business hotel
Leave the city and make your way into the forested Iya Valley. You will first have to face a challenging climb and later get rewarded with views of beautiful landscapes with gorges, crystal-clear rivers, and traditional thatch-roofed houses. Cycling down the valley, you’ll be surrounded by terraced rice fields. Stop pedaling and walk across the famous vine bridges before heading. Continue cycling through the valley and reach your accommodation—a traditional Japanese inn with a funicular railway connecting it with a riverside hot spring.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 80 km (49.7 mi)
Elevation gain: 1,500 m (4,920 ft)
Accommodation: Japanese hot spring hotel
The final day begins with cycling out of the Iya Valley following the beautiful Yoshino River. After a final climb, you will arrive at the celebrated Konpira Shrine! After exploring the shrine, celebrate with a drink and relax while you reflect on the past six days. You will later board a train to your airport and say goodbye to Japan or continue touring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 57 km (35.4 mi)
Elevation gain: 750 m (2,460 ft)
Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
Included:
Add-ons
Not included:
Would you rather prefer to have an expert guide by your side leading the way? Check out our guided cycling tour in Shikoku! Same itinerary, same route, but with a professional guide.
*Please note that accommodations are subject to availability and it may not be possible to book the exact accommodations listed day-by-day in the itinerary (in case there is a detailed list).
For this cycling tour in Shikoku, Japan, you need to have a very good level of fitness. You can expect 50-85 km (30-50 miles) of cycling per day, often in steep terrain, for 6 consecutive days. As this is a self-guided tour, you’ll be able to take numerous breaks during the day and stop whenever you feel like it.
This is a trip meant for frequent cyclists who don’t hate hills—you can find day-by-day distances and elevation gains in the itinerary, but the most you’ll climb within a day is 1,500 m (4,920 ft). There are a few climbs with the steepest gradient being 13%. The average gradient of the climbs is 5-7%.
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You will spend 5 nights in a mixture of Japanese inns and business hotels. Your guiding company has handpicked the accommodation using their extensive knowledge of the area. Sea views, mountain inns, hot springs (onsen) resorts—they’ve got everything covered, allowing you to experience the best that this area has to offer!
The price of the tour is based on a shared twin room. However, if you’d like to have a room to yourself, you can add the single supplement to your booking upon checkout! Please note that it may not always be possible to meet all requests for single rooms.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
This self-guided cycling tour in Shikoku, Japan covers the cost of rental cross bikes and helmets—your guide uses Giant, Specialized, and Marin bikes.
If you’d prefer to rent an e-bike or a road bike (carbon or aluminum), these are also available for an additional cost. As these are limited in availability, please contact us prior to booking and we’ll get back to you.
Alternatively, if you bring your own bike, you can send it to the guiding company (this can be done at an airport if you are travelling to Japan) and they will bring it to the start of the tour. They can then send it back to you (or send it to your departure airport for you to pick up if you are travelling to Japan). Let us know upon checkout!
A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the operator, including maps, GPX routes to use on cycle computer, route notes…
Your guide will also take care of other parts of the tour, such as support via WhatsApp, quality accommodation in Japanese inns and hotels, transfers, luggage transfers, support van, all meals, bike rentals, and bike maintenance should you need it.
Group sizes and pricing
Self-guided cycling tours in Shikoku, Japan can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Onomichi, the starting point of the tour, is 30 minutes from Fukuyama, 90 minutes from Hiroshima, and 70 minutes from Okayama. To get to Onomichi, most people fly into Tokyo International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT).
From there, you can either take a shuttle or a train to Onomichi, or take a flight to the Hiroshima Airport. From there, you can hop on a bus in the direction of Fukuyama and transfer to the “Flower Liner” bus at the Takasaka bus stop to reach Onomichi Station.
Please note that you will start your self-guided cycling tour in Shikoku in the morning of Day 1, meaning that you have to fly in at least a day earlier (and arrange accommodation accordingly).
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
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Flexible
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