There was an error with your log in
Options
Summary
Checkout

Cycling Tour of Hidden Japan on Shikoku Island

Itinerary
Cycling Tour on Shikoku Island
Guide(s)
Miho, Sam Barclay, Hidden Japan Travel
Trip options

Booking for a group?
Reserve spots for 5 or more people, and get $50 off for each

Add-ons

The price of the adventure is based on double occupancy. If you’d like to have a room to yourself, add the single supplement to your booking now.

Cross bikes are included in the price of the tour, but you can choose a road bike (carbon or aluminum) or an e-bike for an additional cost. Please let us know down below if you’re interested—how many bikes, which bikes exactly—and we’ll get back to you.

All meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6 (apart from dinner on Day 2) are included in the price of this trip. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated, please let us know down below if you have any.

Select a cancellation policy

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options.
57hours flexibility options
Special 2026 deposit offer

Secure your spot for 2026 with just a 10% deposit. The remaining 20% of the deposit is due by the end of 2025. Learn about our cancellation policy below.

Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Cycling Tour of Hidden Japan on Shikoku Island
Itinerary
Cycling Tour on Shikoku Island
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
6 day
Guide(s)
Miho, Sam Barclay, Hidden Japan Travel
Reserve deposit (30%) $0
Second Payment Amount: $0

  • Spend 6 days cycling 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 under the supervision of your expert local guide.

    • Make your way to Onomichi Station in the morning—accessible by bullet train and close to Hiroshima Airport. Our 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. We’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: Lunch and dinner
      Cycling: 67 km (41.6 mi)
      Elevation gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
      Accommodation: Japanese hotel

      Shimanami Bridge, part of Shimanami Kaido, crossed during the Shikoku cycling trip.

    • After finishing the Shimanami Kaido route, we will head down the coast to the historic city of Matsuyama, the capital of the prefecture of Ehime. Cycling through the city, we’ll be able to view an impressive 17th-century Japanese castle. We continue cycling towards our 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 and lunch
      Hiking: 63 km (39.1 mi)
      Elevation gain: 800 m (2,625 ft)
      Accommodation: Business hotel

      Dogo onsen, Matsuyama

    • 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. We will ycle along a meandering river before reaching a remote gorge—inside of which is a hot spring hotel where we will stay for the night!

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Hiking: 75 km (46.6 mi)
      Elevation gain: 1,200 m (3,940 ft)
      Accommodation: Japanese hot spring hotel

      Viewpoint in Shikoku

    • Let’s start our day with an optional morning walk inside the spectacular Nakatsu Gorge. Later, we 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! We will reach the city of Kochi and visit a famous street food market offering fresh seafood before heading to our accommodation.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Hiking: 66 km (41 mi)
      Elevation gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
      Accommodation: Business hotel

      People dresses in traditional kimono posing for a photo before tea ceremony

    • We’ll leave the city and make our way into the forested Iya Valley. We 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. Then we’ll stop pedaling and walk across the famous vine bridges before heading. We continue cycling through the valley and reach our accommodation—a traditional Japanese inn with a funicular railway connecting it with a riverside hot spring.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Hiking: 80 km (49.7 mi)
      Elevation gain: 1,500 m (4,920 ft)
      Accommodation: Japanese hot spring hotel

      Beautiful landscapes of the Iya Valley seen during the cycling trip on Shikoku, Japan.

    • The final day begins with cycling out of the Iya Valley following the beautiful Yoshino River. After a final climb, we 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 and lunch
      Hiking: 57 km (35.4 mi)
      Elevation gain: 750 m (2,460 ft)

      Statue of Kukai, temple, Japan

    • Included:

        • An experienced English-speaking cycling guide with extensive local knowledge of the area
        • 6-day guided cycling tour in Shikoku, Japan
        • Support van with snacks and hydration
        • Luggage transfers
        • Accommodation for 5 nights in quality Japanese inns and hotels*
        • All meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6 (excluding dinner on Day 2), detailed in the itinerary
        • Helmet and cross bike rental (Giant, Specialised, and Marin bikes)
        • Bike maintenance if needed
        • Transportation during the adventure

      Add-ons:

        • Single supplement — $400
        • E-bike or road bike rental (cross bike is included in the price, but you can choose a road bike (carbon or aluminum) or an e-bike for an additional cost) — let us know if you’re interested prior to booking

      Not included:

        • Flights to Japan & airport transfers
        • Accommodations prior to and after the tour
        • Dinner on Day 2
        • Travel and medical insurance  — mandatory
        • Guide gratuities — optional

    • 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.

      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%.

      For more bike adventures in Japan, click here!

    • 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 what you’ll need for your daily outings:

        • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
        • Sneakers or sport shoes
        • Breathable outside layer or jacket
        • Sunglasses
        • Plenty of water, water bottle or hydration bladder
        • Daypack with snacks
        • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
        • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

      Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season—layers are best. Make sure to also bring some comfy clothes for evenings and free time.

    • 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 guided (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!

    • Group sizes and prices:

        • The group for this tour consists of up to 6 people and one guide.
        • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate.
        • Solo travellers are welcome! There’s no extra fee for solo travellers, as they’ll share a room with another member of the group.
        • Single supplement, however, is also available and can be added to your booking at checkout. Please note, it may not always be possible to meet all requests for single rooms.

      Cycling in Shikoku can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

      Min. age requirements:

        • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

      If your group has riders 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.

      You will meet your guide at Onomichi Station 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!

Have more questions? Read our FAQ
57hours uses cookies for a better experience!
We rely on cookies to remember your preferences and analyze our website traffic. View Privacy Policy
Saved to bucket list
Removed from bucket list

Choose a currency

  • USD - $
    US Dollar
  • EUR - €
    Euro
  • AUD - AU$
    Australian Dollar
  • CAD - CA$
    Canadian Dollar
  • GBP - £
    British Pound Sterling
  • CHF - CHF
    Swiss Franc
  • JPY - ¥
    Japanese Yen
  • SGD - S$
    Singapore Dollar
  • HKD - HK$
    Hong Kong Dollar
  • DKK - Dkr
    Danish Krone
  • NOK - Nkr
    Norwegian Krone
  • NZD - NZ$
    New Zealand Dollar