DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN JAPAN, MEET & GREET AT KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (OSAKA)
Welcome to Japan! Our friendly Meet & Greet service representative will be waiting in the Arrivals lobby and holding a sign with your name on. The Meet & Greet will direct you to the Haruka Express train or Airport Limousine Bus bound for Osaka. Check in to your clean and comfortable hotel in Osaka for your first night in Japan.

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DAY 2: OSAKA TO ONOMICHI
After breakfast, take the train from Osaka to Onomichi. The train journey will be approx. 4 hours. Onomichi is a charming town located along the Seto Inland Sea in the Hiroshima Prefecture. Upon arrival check in to your accommodation for one night.

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Your Bags:  As you will be cycling from Onomichi to Imbari, you might want to take advantage of the convenient same-day luggage delivery service: your luggage will be collected from your accommodation in the morning and will be delivered to your next accommodation by 7 pm. You can also send your bags from Osaka to Onomichi and Oshima to Osaka for your longer journeys. We will advise you on how to do this in full in your Detailed Itinerary.

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DAY 3: SHIMANAMI KAIDO – MUKAISHIMA, INNOSHIMA
Onomichi to Mukaishima 8 KM
Mukaishima to Innoshima 12 KM

After breakfast, pick up your bicycle and start your cycling adventure.

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Your Bicycle: You can pick up your bicycle in Onomichi and drop it off at Imabari. We offer different types of bicycles for beginners to advance cyclists. For example, Aluminium Road Bikes are recommended for people who are on their first road bike; The Carbon Road Bikes are recommended for people who prefer a combination of high-performance and an ultra-lightweight bike. A helmet will be provided if you do not have yours.

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From Onomichi you can reach the first island in the Shimanami Kaido, Mukaishima, by ferry. Hop off on this island where the Shimanami Kaido starts. After cycling around this island, carry on to the next one, Innoshima. The two islands are connected by the Innoshima Bridge, a suspension bridge of 770 meters, completed in 1983. Whilst in Innoshima, you might want to hike Mt Shiratake whose summit offers a magnificent view of the Inland Sea. Another attraction of this mountain are the 700 carved Buddhist statues. If you visit this island during Summer, you can also relax and sunbathe at the Shimanami Beach. Check in to your Guesthouse for one night.

 

DAY 4: SHIMANAMI KAIDO – IKUCHIJIMA TO OMISHIMA
Innoshima to Ikuchijima 12 KM 
Ikuchijima to Omishima 16 KM 

After breakfast, it's time to cycle again. Today head on to Ikuchijima Island. This island has different attractions to visit. To name a few, Kosan-ji and Choseikaku Villa are sights not to be missed. Kosan-ji is one of the main sights located in the main town. This Buddhist Temple complex was founded in 1935 and took more than 30 years to complete. Choseikaku Villa was built in 1929 and it was designed by Kanemoto Kozo, a businessman from Osaka. The main building is constructed in traditional Japanese style. Your next island is Omishima. Ikuchijima and Omishima are connected by a lovely cable-stayed bridge called Tatara Bridge. Omishima Island is home to a variety of art museums and sights to visit. One of the main attractions is the Oyamazumi Shrine. Inside its museum, you will find a collection of samurai armour and weapons. Another attraction is the Omishima Art Museum whose collection includes many Japanese Nihonga, Japanese-style paintings. On the south of the island, you will find Tokoro Art Museum, a contemporary art museum located on a steep slope offering breathtaking views of the island.
Check in to your Guesthouse for one night.

 

DAY 5: SHIMANAMI KAIDO – HAKATAJIMA & OSHIMA 

Omishima to Hakatajima 16 KM 
Hakatajima to Oshima 8 KM 

Today head to Hakatajima, the smallest island on the Shimanami Kaido. However, with a few steep climbs, it is worth going around this island with your bike. If you happen to visit during the cherry blossom season, we do recommend you do not miss Mt Hirakiyama and its wonderful cherry trees! Through the Hakata Bridge, you will end up to your final destination for today, Oshima island, the end of the Shimanami Kaido. In Oshima Island, we do recommend you visit the Kirosan Observatory Park, which offers wonderful views of the Seto Inland Sea. Check-in for one night in a Guesthouse.

 

DAY 6: OSHIMA TO TAKAMATSU VIA IMABARI (SHIKOKU ISLAND)
After breakfast head to Imabari on the Shikoku Island where the Shimanami Kaido route ends. Here you can drop off your bicycle and explore Imabari. Imabari is famous for Japanese towels and the Imari Towel museum is dedicated to this long-standing industry. Later today transfer by Express Train to Takamatsu where you will stay 2 nights in a centrally located hotel. Whilst in Takamatsu we suggest a visit to Shikoku Mura, an open-air museum situated near Takamatsu. Here you will find many preserved traditional buildings relocated from all over Shikoku Island.

 

DAY 7: TAKAMATSU
Take a stroll in the beautiful Ritsurin Park, a landscape garden built for the lords of the region in feudal times. Now listed as a Japanese National Treasure, the gardens also include a Folk Craft Museum, restaurant and three Tea Houses, where visitors can enjoy a tea ceremony. The ruins of Takamatsu's Castle, in Tamamo Park, and the Yakuri-ji and Yashima-ji temples are also worth seeing. Sample the local delicacy, sanuki udon noodles, in one of the city's numerous restaurants.

 

DAY 8: TAKAMATSU TO OSAKA
Enjoy your morning at leisure in Takamatsu. In the afternoon, depart Shikoku and travel back to Osaka. Spend the evening enjoying the lively Dotonbori district famous for shopping, eating, and entertainment.

 

DAY 9: DEPART JAPAN
Transfer from your hotel to Kansai International Airport by Express Train or Airport Limousine Bus