Essence of Shikoku Bike Tour

Nestled in the heart of Hiroshima Prefecture, Onomichi is a picturesque coastal town known for its historic temples, sloping streets, and stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea. As we meet at our hotel in Onomichi at 5:00 PM, prepare to immerse yourself in the charm of this quaint town. Following an introductory meeting and bike fitting, we relish a delightful welcome dinner in one of Onomichi's inviting eateries.

Today we set out on a cycling adventure along the renowned Shimanami Kaido, traversing five islands to witness breathtaking panoramas and delve into the rich cultural tapestry of the Seto Inland Sea. The Shimanami Kaido, a cycling route spanning several kilometers, is a remarkable journey connecting Japan's Honshu and Shikoku islands through a series of breathtaking bridges and picturesque landscapes.

Our accommodation awaits in a simple Japanese hotel, offering captivating views of the Seto Inland Sea on one side, and the imposing Mt. Ishizuchi on the other. Considered one of Japan's 7 sacred mountains, the 1,982 m (6,503 ft) high mountain is the highest mountain in Shikoku, and an important pilgrimage site in both Buddhism and Shintoism.

The surrounding area is a part of the Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park, characterized by forest-covered hills. We are now out in the rugged countryside of Japan, and our hotel is the only accommodation available in this area.

Today we conclude our ride through the scenic Shimanami Kaido and pedal along the coast to the culturally rich Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture. As we cycle through the city, admire landmarks like the iconic Matsuyama Castle en route to our hotel in the Dogo area. In the evening, immerse yourself in the renowned Dogo Onsen, savoring a local delicacy, tai meshi, and a glass of regional sake.

Today, we ride out into a unique and picturesque geographic marvel - the Tengu Highlands, also known as the Shikoku Karst.

Karsts or limestone mountains are rare in Japan, In fact, there are only 3 locations in all of Japan where karsts are found, and Tengu is one of them. Karsts are otherwise mostly found in Europe, and the landscape today looks like a slice of Italy in the middle of Japanese wilderness.

The Tengu highland is an elevated plateau reaching upto 1,500 m (4,921 ft) above sea level, with the peaks of the Ishizuchi mountain range we rode past still visible in the backdrop. On a clear day, we can even see the shimmering blue of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Our route leads us into the mountains through challenging roads, so be prepared for a bit of a climb. As we ascend, the cycling path meanders alongside a scenic river, offering picturesque views all around. Also called the "road in the sky", because the clouds above appear close enough to touch, this road is considered among Japan's 100 most beautiful roads.

Our accommodation for the night awaits in a magnificent hotel situated in Shikoku Karst, providing magnificent views amid nature's tranquility. On nights when the sky is clear, you can see the night sky lit up with thousands of sparkling stars. In fact, views of the night sky from here are among the finest in all of Japan.

Today is a beautiful and fun-filled day of cycling. Early on, we stop at the picturesque Nakatsu Gorge, which rises above the Nakatsu river. During fall, the bright orange and red foliage of the forests covering the surrounding hills contrast gently with the soft blue of the river waters, making for a mesmerizing sight.

We then ride over the beautiful Niyodo river, one of the clearest in all of Japan. The river's water have a slight turquoise tinge, owing to the minerals it carries down as it flows from Mt. Ishizuchi. As a result, it is also referred to as Niyodo Blue.

There are lush, forested hills on either side of the river, making for a picture-postcard view.

A characteristic feature of several Japanese rivers, especially in the countryside, are their submersible bridges, called chinkabashi in Japanese. These are flat concrete bridges without balustrades built very close to the water level so that they submerge without offering resistance when the water rises in the rainy season. Since we're riding in the dry season, we get to enjoy the pleasant views without any worries!

We stop for a barbecue-style lunch along the way and interact with friendly locals.

And after an exciting day of biking, we arrive in the vibrant city of Kochi and explore a well-known street food market, indulging in the local culinary delights.

Kochi is especially famous for its sake, or Japanese rice wine, thanks to the abundance of clear waters in its vicinity, and its excellent bonito fish, called "katsuo" in Japanese. Katsuo no takati is a must-try on any visit to Kochi.

Today we ascend into the renowned Iya Valley, characterized by steep mountainous slopes and deep gorges. We conquer a challenging climb that unveils breathtaking landscapes, then descend through the valley, enveloped by terraced rice fields, and take a stroll across the famed vine bridges of the Heike warriors.

We experience the night in a traditional Japanese inn, an accommodation that embodies stunning authenticity.

On the concluding day of our adventure, we travel out of the enchanting Iya Valley along the scenic Yoshino River. Following a final ascent, we reach the renowned Konpira Shrine (also called Kotohira), a popular locale and the pinnacle of our journey.

The shrine is dedicated to patron saint of sailors and seafarers in the traditional Japanese Shinto religion. It is reached by ascending over 1,300 steps. If we have the legs for it, we should climb all the way up, for the views are definitely worth the climb.

the town of Kotohira is famous for its Udon noodles, and trying out the local Udon noodles is a must-do.

Travel further as per your onward travel plans. Nearby train stations provide connections to the bullet train, or for those traveling by air, Takamatsu Airport is located an hour and half's drive away. Alternatively, you can take the train to either Takamatsu or Okayama.