Highlights
- Explore Hiroshima's World War II memorials
- Visit Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine, with its iconic "floating" torii
- Tour the coast of Sensuijima Island by sea kayak
- Cycle the Shimanami Kaido, a route that takes you across the Seto Inland Sea
- Hike part of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trail
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hiroshima | Hiroshima |
| Day 2 | Travel to Miyajima Island | Miyajima |
| Day 3 | Sea Kayak Around Sensuijima & Walk Through Tomonoura | Tomonoura |
| Day 4 | Walk in the Hilltops of Onomichi | Onomichi |
| Day 5 | Cycle Along the Shimanami Kaido | Onomichi |
| Day 6 | Complete the Shimanami Kaido, Begin the Shikoko Pilgrimage | Imabari |
| Day 7 | Shikoko Pilgrimage (Temple 58 to Dogo Onsen) | Matsuyama |
| Day 8 | Shikoko Pilgrimage (Temples 45 to 44) | Matsuyama |
| Day 9 | Shikoko Pilgrimage (Temples 60 to 62), Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hiroshima
Travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to central Hiroshima. Hiroshima was the first in city history to bear the impact of the use of atomic weapons. The city's residents never forget the past, and you will notice memorials to the August 6, 1945, bombing, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial and Museum.
Tonight, you'll either stay in Hiroshima at a modern hotel or take a ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage island of Miyajima and stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn).
Day 2: Travel to Miyajima Island
Explore Miyajima island, where the wild deer roam free. Experience an amazing view of the iconic Great Torii (Shinto gate) of Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to float at high tide. At lunch, you might want to try local Miyajima oysters or anago meshi (grilled eel).
During the afternoon, you'll have time to climb Mount Misen, the highest peak on Miyajima. You'll have a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea as you return by cable car. Alternatively, you can take a longer hike and forego the descending cablecar ride or substitute a gentler, flat sightseeing route covering the island's main attractions.
Walking distance: 3 miles (4.7 km) of optional hiking; longer option is 7.5 miles (12 km)
Time required: About 2-3 hours
Elevation gain: 2,660 feet (810 m) of ascent, negligible descent
Day 3: Sea Kayak Around Sensuijima & Walk Through Tomonoura
This morning you'll travel to Tomonoura Bay, the lovely thousand-year-old port town that inspired Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki as he created his animated film, "Ponyo." In its heyday, Tomonoura was known as Shiomachi-no-Minato ("port for awaiting a favorable tide"). This town preserves its old-fashioned feel; it's still a working port, but you can see dozens of buildings in Tomonoura that date back to the Edo period.
Enjoy a morning sea kayak tour around Sensuijima island. Later in the afternoon, you'll take a ferry to Sensuijima for your overnight stay at a traditional Japanese inn.
Kayaking duration: 2-3 hours
Walking distance: 1.2 miles (2 km) of optional sightseeing
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 1-2 hours
Day 4: Walk in the Hilltops of Onomichi
This morning you'll head to the romantic seaside town of Onomichi, which is the mainland entry point for the Shimanami Kaido cycling course. Spend the day exploring Onomichi's old-fashioned shopping arcades and quiet hilltop back streets, and spend the night at a historic ryokan or a modern cycling-themed hotel.
Walking distance: 2 miles (4 km)
Elevation gain: 850 feet (260 m) of ascent and descent
Time required: 3-4 hours
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Cycle Along the Shimanami Kaido
Select your bicycle and depart from Onomichi for your first day of cycling on the Shimanami Kaido. Explore the wonderful natural landscapes and relaxing café culture of the Seto Inland Sea before spending the night on a remote island part-way along the cycling route. Your cycling time and distance today and tomorrow will vary based on the location of the inn you stay at and how many of our optional side trips in the six Shimanami Kaido islands you wish to undertake.
Cycling distance: 20-40 miles (35-65 km) (the total Shimanami Kaido route is 50 mi/80 km)
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent, with some very brief ups and downs to reach each bridge
Time required: 3-8 hours, depending on the distance covered
Day 6: Complete the Shimanami Kaido, Begin the Shikoko Pilgrimage
Continue along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, passing through small island settlements. Your destination is Imabari on Shikoku island. Drop off your bikes at Imabari Station and head inland by bus to the trailhead of our four-day Shikoko Pilgrimage walking tour. Cycling distances vary based on where you stayed last night and how many optional side trips you wish to undertake as you cycle through the islands. Most guests will undertake a 28-mile/45-kilometer, four-hour cycle today.
Your Shikoku temple pilgrimage begins with a hike to Temple 57, Eifuku-ji, in Imabari. As you continue from there toward Temple 58, Senyu-ji, the scenery will gradually change from an urban townscape to rural farming communities before you enter a forest. The hike to Senyu-ji is a steady climb. You have the option to detour to Temple 56, Taisan-ji, today if you wish. Tonight you can stay at Senyu-ji, which offers pilgrim lodgings, or stay in a western-style hotel in Imabari.
Cycling distance: 13-28 miles (20-45 km)
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: 2-4 hours
Walking distance: 2.7 miles (4.4 km)
Elevation gain: 820 feet (250 m) ascent; negligible descent
Time required: About 1.5 hours
Day 7: Shikoku Pilgrimage (Temple 58 to Dogo Onsen)
Your pilgrimage continues with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senyu-ji, with the opportunity to explore small villages along the way. You'll return to the town of Imabari, with an optional hike on a paved road to Temple 59, Iyo Kokubun-ji, and continue to Matsuyama by train. Tonight you'll stay in Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama's historic hot spring area.
Walking distance: 2.7 miles (4.4 km)
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and 820 feet (250 m) descent
Time required: About 1 hour
Day 8: Shikoko Pilgrimage (Temples 45 to 44)
Today you'll travel south by bus and prepaid taxi to Temple 45, Iwaya-ji, a temple closely linked to Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism, and the temples at Mount Koya. Climb the iconic ladder to Kobo Daishi's meditation spot, which offers spectacular views of the region. From Iwaya-ji, enjoy a lovely hike through the forest to Temple 44, Daiho-ji. In the evening, you'll head back to Matsuyama by bus and spend a second night in Dogo Onsen.
Walking distance: 7.3 miles (11.7 km)
Elevation gain: 2,130 feet (650 m) ascent and 1,900 feet (580 m) descent
Time required: About 4 hours
Day 9: Shikoku Pilgrimage (Temples 60 to 62), Depart
Your tour ends today with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime Prefecture. Travel by bus and prepaid taxi to reach the trail. You'll walk through a rural part of Shikoku to Temple 60, Yokomine-ji, Temple 61, Koon-ji, and onward to Temple 62, Hoju-ji. After your hike, you'll travel by train to the Kansai area, arriving mid-evening.
If you would like to take a shorter hike, you can reduce your hiking time by about one hour and avoid the hike's first uphill section. Simply pay locally to extend your taxi ride to Temple 60, Yokomine-ji.
Walking distance: 8.5 miles (13.7 km)
Elevation gain: 2,050 feet (620 m) ascent and 3,850 feet (870 m) descent
Time required: 4-5 hours
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