At a Glance
Experience Japan's spectacular island and culture by bike on the Shimanami Kaido cycling route across the Seto Inland Sea and across six islands. Your luxury cycling experience is enhanced by luxury accommodation, refined dinning and fully supported cycling crew throughout the trip.
Your trip starts from Hiroshima, which is easily accessed by train or flight from all major cities in Japan. You will enjoy a guided walk to the summit of Misen Mountain on Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, which has long been regarded as an Island of the Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. Your luxurious modern room on the island features the views of the five-story pagoda and Senjokaku of Itsukushima Shrine. At sunset, enjoy fantastic views of stone lanterns lighting up the ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Bike hire incl. panniers, helmets & water bottles
- 2x breakfasts, 2x dinners
- Return transfer to/from Hiroshima station
- Supported cycling from Onomichi to Imabari
- 2 nights luxury authentic traditional Japanese ryokans with Japanese/Western style rooms on a twin share basis (single supplement is available at additional expense)
- Support vehicle accompany during the cycling trip with luggage transfers, one piece luggage per person. Additional luggage can be transferred for extra cost
Itinerary
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Walking distance: Misen Mountain Hike, approx. 3 km, 1.5 - 2 hours Arrive at Hiroshima station at your own arrangement. Upon arrival at the station, our local representative will meet and greet you at the station, and then transfer you to Miyajima by private car and ferry. Explore the beautiful island at leisure and stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan. Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. The whole of Miyajima is a sacred place regarded as an object of worship, where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site, is located. Itsukushima Shrine has more than 1400 years of history and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The current main building constructed by Taira no Kiyomori about 800 years ago faithfully inherited the "shinden-zukuri" style (Heian imperial style). The large red gateway rising out of the ocean is the eighth gate. Hike to the summit of Misen Mountain via The Daishoin Route. Misen, the highest mountain on Miyajima island is more than 535 meters above sea level. Explore the 'Virgin Forest Misen' on foot, be enchanting by the beauty of the natural forest, rugged landscapes of giant rocks, and the dotted islands floating on the Seto Inland Sea below. There are more than 2,000 stone steps to the summit. At the sixth marking stone near Satomiya Mura, there is a spot to view the Torii so beautiful that you can feel a sense of accomplishment. You could also spot wild deers wandering around the island or resting along the walking paths. Miyajima is a romantic place, best enjoyed by staying overnight at one of the island's ryokans. While there are usually many day tourists, in the evening the area becomes much quieter and more peaceful. After the hike, your guide will drop you off at your luxurious accommodation - Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto, which has been in operation on the land of Miyajima since the early Edo period. Experience the traditions of Japan at the 400 year old retreat, the closest to the entrance of the Itsukushima Shrine. Your luxurious modern room features the views of five-story pagoda and Senjokaku of Itsukushima Shrine. At sunset, enjoy fantastic views of stone lanterns lighting up the ocean. Enjoy dinner prepared using world-class ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea, e.g. sea bream, conger eel, hairtail, sild sardine, oyster. Room Style: Western with Itsukushima Shrine view Bed Type: Twin Beds Bath: Indoor / Outdoor Onsen Toilet: Ensuite Western style |
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto
Dinner |
Cycling distance: approx. 70 km Enjoy breakfast and take in the majestic views of of five-story pagoda and Senjokaku of Itsukushima Shrine. Your guide will meet you at the accommodation and transfer you to Onomichi for bike fitting. Today you will embark on the world famous Shimanami Kaido cycling route, cycling 70 km across the Seto Inland Sea from Onomichi to Imabari. Beginning your cycling journey on Honshu in Onomichi, ride across the six islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima, before terminating on Shikoku in Imabari. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the islands' small towns. The bicycle route is well marked and maintained, and diverges from the expressway on the islands. The ramps leading up to the bridges were built at small inclines with cyclists in mind. The entire route can be comfortably completed in a day by intermediate cyclists. Your ride is accompanied by a supporting vehicle which will transfer your main luggage and provide you all services needed along the ride. On completion, you will be transferred to a secluded hot spring retreat - Yamatoya Besso, where you can soak in the hot spring bath and enjoy traditional kaiseki dishes utilising the rich seasonal ingredients of Setouchi. Situated in the quiet outskirts of Matsuyama and in the Dogo Hot Spring district, Yamatoya Besso is a refined Japanese hot spring inn built completely out of Japanese cypress wood, in the traditional sukiya-zukuri style. Also referred to as “The Inn of Haiku”, you will be immediately welcomed by the scent of fresh flowers and burning incense when stepping into the Sukiya style entrance. Room Style: Japanese style, Sakura room Bed Type: Futon Bath: Private Onsen Toilet: Ensuite Western style |
Yamatoya BessoBreakfast, DInner |
Enjoy breakfast and have a leisurely stroll to Matsuyama Castle at your own arrangement. We will transfer you to Matsuyama ferry port, where you can take a 1 hour speedboat ride back to Hiroshima. The Inland Sea is generally calm, so the ferry ride is relaxing. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. The price is based on 4 people, twin share. If you have a group of 5 or more people, a group discount is available. Private departure for a group of 2 people can also be arranged (surcharge applies). Please contact us for a quote.
More Info
- The departure point is Hiroshima Station
- The finishing point is Hiroshima Station
How to travel between Hiroshima and Osaka
By train: take Sanyo Shinkansen Line, Sakura or Hikari from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station about 1.5 hours.
By highway bus: Multiple daytime and overnight highway buses serve Osaka and Hiroshima on a daily basis about 6 hours.
Day 1: Guided Misen Mountain hike, approx. 3 km, 1.5 - 2 hours
Day 2: Guided cycling from Onomichi to Imabari, approx. 70 km
Day 3: At your leisure and depart from Hiroshima
Japan's weather and climate features four distinct seasons.
Spring is from March to May. It's perhaps one of the very best times to visit Japan as temperatures are pleasantly warm without being too hot, with daytime temperatures ranging between 21°C to 26°C. The country is ablaze with beautiful white and pink cherry blossom and plenty festivals to enjoy.
Summer is from June to August and the country experiences a three to four-week rainy season. It is hot and humid during this time and temperatures are often in the high 30’s. If you plan on visiting Japan during the summer weather, northern areas such as Hokkaido or the mountains of Tohoku or Chubu are the most comfortable places to escape the heat.
Autumn is from September to November and is characterised by light breezes and cooler temperatures of around 8-10°C. It is also a wonderful time to visit Japan. The country turns into a haven of red and scarlet leaves which contrast strikingly against the deep blue clear skies and almost as impressive as the stunning cherry blossoms.
Winter is from December to February. It is a magical time to visit as the landscape is turned white with snow. It's the perfect time to go skiing or check out the hot springs, especially venture to the ski slopes of Hokkaido or Nagano. It's Okinawa is a great place to visit during the winter as it is not quite as cold as the rest of Japan’s weather.
