Japan

Japan » Samurai Trails of Shikoku

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Your group will gather today at Osaka's Kansai Airport in the evening. We bed down for a good night's rest after the long flights at a hotel near the airport. (no meals)

Day 2 - This morning after breakfast, we will travel by bus to Shikoku Island. Our drive takes us across the Naruto Straights, renowned for its whirlpools. We break for lunch in Tokushima before arriving mid-afternoon in the dramatic Iya Gorge and our lodge for the night. We'll get the bikes ready and perhaps enjoy a warm up spin through the magnificent Iya Valley nearby. 15 kms (breakfast & lunch on your own)

Day 3 - Begin the day riding along the majestic Iya Gorge. As we climb out of the beautiful gorge, we will find a small noodle house perched on the side of the mountain (ready for lunch ?). From there we cruise, as we ride downhill for hours on the old samurai roads, through small villages with picturesque terraced rice paddies. We will cycle a few miles on a major road, but the bulk of the ride is on tiny back roads. Our inn tonight sits in a picturesque lakeside setting tonight. 80 km (lunch on your own)

Day 4 - Today we cycle along the superb valleys of central Shikoku, past mountains and lakes, small villages and the ever present temples and older traditional style buildings. Today the whole route is on backroads with some gradual climbing and one bigger climb of 9 kms at the end of the day that takes us to a ridge that will leave you breathless with its sweeping vistas of steep mountains. Tonight we stay at an inn at the base of our climb to the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi. 88 kms (lunch on your own)

Day 5 - The bikes get a rest today as we embark on hike to the summit of Mt Ishizuchi (1982M), the highest in Shikoku and western Japan. The views from the summit are simply stunning. This is easy to moderate walking on a developed trail. We will plan the day so as to be back at our accommodation by mid afternoon, giving us the afternoon to relax or wander around the mountain area.

Day 6 - Its our longest day, but don't let the distance scare you. Although we have a good climbs, we also enjoy about 90 kilometers rolling downhill! The start of which is pretty fast but much of it gently rolls down river valleys. This is a superb day's riding, where you drift downhill for hours, past small villages and by crystal clear meandering streams. You will pass the ever present temples, old style farm houses, some with thatched roofs, remote farming communities, numerous terraced rice paddies and breath-taking views. The day finishes in a tiny village where we see first hand the slow gentle pace of rural Japan. Here the architecture blends with the surrounding lake and forest and provides a wonderful end to a full day in the saddle. 120 kms (lunch on your own)

Day 7 - We start again on superb back roads as we meander down a river valley past a small town and up a 6 km climb before our final descent into a large rural city. En route we visit a historic remodelled village, showing the early methods of farming and building in Shikoku. Despite the climb, the rest of the ride is gently downhill or flat, making for a quick day's ride. This will give us time to explore our new surroundings, exploring the bigger city of Shimanto and sampling the delights of urban Japan after a week in the countryside. Shimanto City doesn't see too many foreigners, so you maybe the talk of the town, literally. 54 kms (lunch on your own)

Day 8 - Today our bike tour route changes subtly as we experience life on the glittering Pacific coast of Shikoku. Here we cross paths with the pilgrims who follow the path of enlightenment of Kobo Daishi, the buddhist saint. The ride is mostly flat with some small climbs, as we travel to the farthest point on magnificent Cape Ashizuri, where we can visit one of Kobo Daishi's temples perched on a cliff top. From there we follow the coast west, past fishing villages and small beaches where we stay in a seaside inn next to the Ocean Wildlife Reserve. After arrival, and throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to meander along one of the local beaches, have a swim if weather permits or just sit by the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and observe coastal life Japanese style. 73 kms (lunch on your own)

Day 9 - We start the day following the rugged Pacific coast. After leaving the coast we head inland to pick up the waters of the Shimanto River, reputedly Japan's last great pure river. A superb day riding along the bank of this river ensues, with its mighty mountain back drop and ever present flotilla of wooden dories. Our inn tonight is in a small village by the river. 84 kms (lunch on your own)

Day 10 - After an early start we depart on our last days ride, which goes gently uphill through small rural towns before descending into Uwajima, a large coastal city arriving here about mid day. After packing bikes away we are free to this ancient castle town, home of several famous samurai clan. Some shopping in the city mall and a castle visit are a must. Or maybe a visit to the shrine dedicate to sex! A big night out at a Japanese Izakaya follows to celebrate the completion of our ride. 38 kms (lunch on your own)

Day 11 - We depart early morning for our coach trip to Kansai airport and departures home or extensions for further travel in Japan. (lunch on your own)