(subject to change until the booking has been finalized)

Day 1 – Arrive in Hiroshima

Travel by bullet train to central Hiroshima. This well-known city was the first in history to bear the impact of atomic weapons. The city never forgets its past, and there are memorials to the bombing of 6 August 1945 including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial and Museum.
You will stay overnight in Hiroshima at a western-style hotel or travel by ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage island of Miyajima and stay at a traditional Japanese inn here (price supplement will apply).
 
Accommodation: Overnight in Hiroshima or spend a night on Miyajima Island (price supplement will apply)
Meals: Breakfast (Dinner is included for guests staying at a Japanese inn)

Day 2 – Travel to Miyajima Island

Explore Miyajima island where wild deer roam free. Experience the amazing close-up view of the iconic red Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine which appears to float in the water at high tide. You might want to try the Miyajima oysters or the local dish of Anago Meshi grilled eel.
In the afternoon, you have time to climb Mount Misen, the highest peak of the island, offering spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea (or choose a cable car option – tickets to be purchase locally). Please let us know if you would like to include a sea kayak experience around the Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine to complement the kayaking you will undertake later on the trip.
 
Walking distance: 4.7km of optional hiking
Elevation gain: 810m of ascent, negligible descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours
Note: a longer 12.1km hiking option, with an ascent of 1,030m and descent of 1,015m, foregoing the descending cablecar ride, is available. A gentler, flat 2.4km sightseeing route covering the islands main attractions is also possible for a more leisurely day.
Accommodation: Overnight in Hiroshima or spend a night on Miyajima Island (price supplement will apply)
Meals: Breakfast (Dinner is included for guests staying at a Japanese inn)

Day 3 – Sea Kayaking around Sensui-jima and walking in Tomonoura

Travel to Tomonoura Bay, the lovely thousand-year-old port town which inspired Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki when he created the animated film “Ponyo”. Tomonoura is recognized as Shiomachi-no-minato ”port awaiting a favorable tide” and this town preserves its old-fashioned fishing townscape. Enjoy a morning sea kayak tour around Sensui-jima Island.
Later in the afternoon take a ferry to Sensui-jima island where you will stay overnight at Japanese inn.
 
Kayaking time: About 2-3 hours. Please note that if kayaking is not possible due to poor weather, further exploration time on Sensuijima Island and in the quiet and relaxed village of Tomonoura with our two optional sightseeing walks are possible.
Walking distance: 2km of optional sightseeing
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 1-2 hours
Accommodation: Ryokan inn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – Walking in the hilltops of Onomichi

This morning you will travel to the romantic seaside town of Onomichi – the entry point on the mainland side of the Shimanami Kaido cycling course. Spend the day our gentle sightseeing course exploring Onomichi’s wonderfully old-fashioned shopping arcades and quiet hilltop back streets. Spend the night at an historic Ryokan inn, or a modern, stylish cycling-themed hotel (price supplement will apply).
 
Walking distance: 4km
Elevation gain: 260m of both ascent and descent
Time required: about 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Ryokan inn (or cycling hotel – price supplement will apply)
Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 5 – Cycling along the Shimanami Kaido

Collect your bikes, depart for the first day of cycling from Onomichi. Explore the wonderful nature and relaxing cafe culture of the inland sea, before spending the night on a remote island part-way along the cycling route.

Cycling distance: 35-65km (up to 80km)
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent (with some very brief ups and downs to reach each bridge)
Time required: 3-6 hours (up to 8 hours)
Note: cycling distances vary based on the inn you stay at and how many of our optional side-trips along the islands you wish to undertake. For less confident cyclists, don’t hesitate to enquire with us about alternative arrangements.
Accommodation: Ryokan inn
Meals: Dinner, Breakfast

Day 6 – Complete the Shimanami Kaido and head onwards

Continue along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, passing through small island settlements with some of the most scenic sections of the route before arriving into Imabari town on Shikoku Island. Drop off your bikes at Imabari Station and head onwards by train or head inland by bus to reach the starting point of our 4-day Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Self-guided walking tour.

Cycling distance: 20-45km
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent (with some very brief ups and downs to reach each bridge)
Time required: 2-4 hours
Note: ycling distances vary based on the inn you have stayed at and how many of our optional side-trips along the islands you wish to undertake. Most guests will undertake the 45km, 4-hour cycle today.
Meals: Breakfast