Hiroshima & Shimanami Kaido 9 & 6 day

(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 will 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 12.1kmhiking 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 
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” or ”port awaiting a favourable 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 begin the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage

Continue along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, through some of the most scenic sections of the rout, passing through small island settlements with before arriving into Imabari town on Shikoku Island. Drop off your bikes at Imabari Station and head inland by bus to reach the starting point of our 4-day Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Self-guided walking tour. Here you will begin your hike to Temple 57 Eifuku-ji. The trail gradually changes from urban townscape to rural farming communities before entering a forest area with a steady climb to Temple 58 Senyū-ji. Visit Eifuku-ji and Senyū-ji (there is also an optional detour to Temple 56 Taisan-ji). Stay overnight at Senyū-ji, which offers pilgrim lodgings, or alternatively stay in a western-style hotel in Imabari City. 

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: cycling 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.

Walking distance: 4.4km 
Elevation gain: 250m ascent and negligible descent 
Time required: About 1.5 hours 
Accommodation: Shukubo (Pilgrims Lodging) or Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage (Temple 58 onwards)

The hike continues with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senyū-ji, with the opportunity to explore small villages on the way. Return to the town of Imabari, with an optional paved hike on to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun-ji and continue onwards to Matsuyama by train and stay overnight in Dogo Onsen. 

Walking distance: 4.4km 
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and 250m descent 
Time required: About 1 hour 
An optional paved walk of 4.1km can extend the hike by a further 1.5 hours. 
Accommodation: Hot Spring Ryokan (Travellers Inn) 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage (Temples 45 to 44)

Head south by bus and pre-paid taxi from Matsuyama to Temple 45 Iwaya-ji. This temple closely linked to Kobo Daishi – the priest who founded Shingon Buddhism and Mount Koya. Climb the iconic ladder to Kobo Daishi’s meditation spot, with its spectacular views over the surrounding region. From Iwaya-ji, enjoy a lovely forest hike to Temple 44 Daiho-ji before taking the bus back to Matsuyama. Stay overnight in Dogo Onsen. 

Walking distance: 11.7km
Elevation gain: 650m ascent and 580m descent 
Time required: About 4 hours 
Accommodation: Hot Spring Ryokan (Travellers Inn) 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage (Temples 60 to 62)

The tour ends with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime Prefecture.  Travel by bus and pre-paid taxi from Matsuyama to reach the trail and walk to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji, Temple 61 Kōon-ji and onwards to Temple 62 Hoju-ji. The walk passes through a rural area of Shikoku and the temples are in lovely natural settings. After the hike, travel onwards by train to the Kansai area, arriving mid-evening. 

Walking distance: 13.7km 
Elevation gain: 620m ascent and 870m descent 
Time required: About 4-5 hours 
Note: you can reduce the hike by about one hour to 11.3km, avoiding the first uphill section. Simply pay locally to extend the taxi ride to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji. Choose on the day (no need to decide in advance) 
Meals: Breakfast