WOR JAPAN:
SHIKOKU & THE
SHIMANAMI KAIDO
UPCOMING TOURS:
4 - 14 OCT 2024 - SOLD OUT
9 - 19 May 2025 - BOOKINGS OPEN - SOLD OUT
OCT 2025 - DATES TBC
Join us on this cultural cycling journey of Japan’s Shikoku Island, with its rugged interior, incredible natural beauty, dramatic coastlines and historic villages and temples, culminating in the famous Shimanami Kaido cycle route across the inland sea!
This tour at a glance
Dates
4 - 14 OCTOBER 2024 - Sold out. Waitlist only.
9 - 19 MAY 2025 - Sold out. Waitlist only.
OCT 2025 - Dates TBC
Start: Osaka, Japan
Finish: Onomichi, Japan
Difficulty
Moderate
Daily ride distances are between 60 and 110kms, with average distance of 70km and average altitude gain of around 800m with an additional loop ride of ~20km on most days.
Duration
10 nights, 9 days cycling
We have 1 two night stop with options for a loop ride or rest day.
Pricing
$5850 AUD per person twin share (Oct ‘24)
$5950 AUD per person twin share (May ‘25)
$950 single supplement (limited singles)
Tour Deposit $900 per person
Tour Highlights
Start in vibrant Osaka, one of Japan’s most vibrant cities - with buzzing neon lights and the street food and izakaya of Dotonbori. On the first morning we take you on a locals city-explorer loop ride, visiting Osaka castle, the Yodo river cycle paths and Osaka neighbourhoods by bike.
We ride the spectacular Shimanami Kaido - one of the worlds bucket list rides!. 70km of dedicated cycle route crossing the Seto inland sea. We spend 2 days exploring the islands, fishing villages, citrus farms and incredible seafood and stay 1 night in a traditional ryokan on Omishima island.
Experience the cuisine - food highlights Shikoku include Sanuki Udon and Katsuo no Tataki (seared bonito tuna), river fish and prawns. We visit a sake and craft beer brewery and ride through citrus farms on the Shimanami Kaido and enjoy delicious salt milk gelati overlooking the inland sea.
Cycling through landscapes of incredible natural beauty on Shikoku island. Visit the enchanting vine bridges of the Iya Valley, cycle through beautiful forests of the rugged interior, meander along the Shimanto river valley, and visit traditional villages and shinto shrines along the 88 Temple Pilgrim route and spend 2 nights in historic Uchiko.
Details
Ride Shikoku Island and the Shimanami Kaido.
We meet in Osaka - one of Japan’s most vibrant cities known for its street food, neon lights of Dotonbori and fabulous Kuramon fresh-food market.
We warm up with a morning city-explorer loop ride visiting Osaka castle, enjoying the cycle paths along the Yodo river and visiting traditional neighbourhoods. In the afternoon we take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Shikoku - a tourist highlight in its own right!
We spend 7 nights on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s 4 main islands and known for its incredible natural beauty - dramatic coastlines, mountainous interior, pristine river valleys and rich with culture and history. It is renowned for its 88 Temple Pilgrimage - the island dotted with ancient temples and shinto shrines.
Our tour culminates in the famous Shimanami Kaido stretching 60km from end to end, with 6 spectacular suspension bridges connecting Shikoku to Honshu, Japan’s main island. It’s a dedicated cycle route and one of the most exciting cycling destinations in Japan - if not the world!
Terrain This tour is on sealed roads and cycle paths and is suitable for road bikes. The terrain is largely rolling mountains or coastal cycling.
Cuisine Food is always a big and exciting part of WOR tours. It helps us understand about the terroir, lifestyle and philosophy of the people. From vending machines to conbini, street food, local markets, noodle bars, izakaya and the traditional art form of multi course kaiseki dinners - this tour to Japan offers so many wonderful tastes and flavors.
Distance 550km with optional extras up to a total 770km
Average Daily Distance 60-110km / day. Average 70km. 20km daily optional extras.
Rest/Loop Days 1 loop/rest day in Uchiko.
Bikes Bring your own. E-bikes welcome (limited number per tour due to size/weight for our support vehicle). Hire is available through our cycling contact in Osaka. Contact us for further info.
Group Size Small to mod sized group of cyclists. (Max 12)
Tour Style Our crew will be on the road each day to support you, however this is not a fully-guided “peloton” style ride. You will be able to ride at your own pace and stop when you want. We recommend you are comfortable with using a GPS device (e.g. Garmin, RidewithGPS on a smartphone). See our FAQ or contact us for further information.
Accommodation We stay in a mix of western style hotels and traditional ryokan (inns) - where we enjoy onsen (japanese bath) and relax in yukata in the evenings. Accommodation is mostly of a high standard.
Meals Included 10 breakfasts, 6 dinners.
Start in Osaka, Japan. Easily accessible by air (Kansai International Airport with direct flights to Australia) or high speed rail links throughout Japan (Shinkansen).
Finish in Onomichi, Japan. Our final hotel is a short walk to the JR rail station with connections throughout Japan. It’s approximately 3 hours on fast train (Shinkansen) to return to Osaka or 1 hour from Hiroshima airport.
Inclusions Request our Tour information document for a comprehensive list of inclusions.
Exclusions Your bike & spare parts, travel to start/finish hotel, alcoholic & specialty beverages, other breakfasts/lunches/dinners not included in the Tour
Tour Itinerary Request Tour Information PDF via email.
Pre / Post Tour We have numerous ideas for how to extend your stay in Japan. Kyoto is a short 1 hour train ride from Osaka. Tokyo is well connected via air/rail from Osaka and Onomichi.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? View our FAQ or contact us.
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