Enjoy the slow island life on the Setouchi Inland Sea with cycling, kayaking and walking
Enjoy the slow island life on the Setouchi Inland Sea with cycling, kayaking and walking
If you would like to do multiple tours in one trip or have a question about any of our tours, do not hesitate to contact us with the button below.
Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea are some of the most scenic areas of Japan. This tour offers an exploration of the wonderful variety of towns, villages, and islands in both rural and central Hiroshima through activities suited to you – kayaking, cycling, sightseeing walks, and hiking. Explore the seaside town of Tomonoura and UNESCO World Heritage island Miyajima, famous for its friendly deer and the iconic 'floating' torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Walk through the emotional history of Hiroshima, and stroll the timeless hilltop communities of Onomichi, finishing with our version of the varied and scenic island-hopping cycling course Shimanami Kaidō. Pass over the Setouchi Inland Sea, visiting remote islands along the way – together with deliciously fresh seafood cuisine, this route offers a uniquely modern café culture, before ending in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku.
Please ask for information about our tour extension to the historic ancient capital of Nara. This tour offers gentle cycling and hiking suitable for children of 13 and up. All activities are optional, so please enquire about alternatives if travelling with younger passengers.
For the cycling sections, E-bikes are also available for a supplemental fee.
5 nights at Japanese inns or western-style hotels | |
5 breakfasts and 2 dinners | |
Round-trip train tickets from Kyōto or Ōsaka | |
Sea Kayaking on Tomonoura Bay | |
Detailed day-by-day itinerary, walking directions, and maps for Tomonoura, Onomichi, Hiroshima and Miyajima | |
Round-trip ferry tickets between Hiroshima and Miyajima | |
Bicycle rental and topographical cycling maps along the Shimanami Kaidō | |
Local support by telephone and email | |
Our Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks |
Flights | |
Airport transfers | |
Drinks and meals not included in itinerary | |
Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy | |
Daily luggage transfer |
Travel by bullet train to Central Hiroshima. This well-known city was the first in history to bear the impact of the use of atomic weapons. The city never forgets its past, and there are memorials to the bombing of August 6th, 1945, including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and accompanying museum.
You stay overnight in Hiroshima at a Western-style hotel or travel by ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Miyajima and stay at a traditional Japanese inn.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel or ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast
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.
During the afternoon, you have time to climb Mount Misen, the highest peak of the island, offering spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea via the returning cable car.
Walking distance: 4.7 km / 3 mi of optional hiking
Elevation gain: 810 m / 2,660 ft of ascent, negligible descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours
A longer 12.1 km / 7.5 mi hiking option, with an ascent of 1,030 m / 3,380 ft and descent of 1,015 m / 3,330 ft, foregoing the descending cable car ride, is available. A gentler, flat 2.4 km / 1.5 mi sightseeing route covering the island’s main attractions is also possible for a more leisurely day.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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 (潮待ちの港 / port awaiting a favourable tide), and this town preserves its old-fashioned fishing townscape. Enjoy a morning sea kayak tour around Sensuijima Island. Later in the afternoon continue to Sensuijima Island by ferry for your overnight stay at a traditional 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: 2 km / 1.2 mi of optional sightseeing
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 1-2 hours
Accommodation: Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Depart this morning for the romantic seaside town of Onomichi, the entry point on the mainland side of the Shimanami Kaidō cycling course. Spend the day exploring Onomichi’s wonderfully old-fashioned shopping arcades and quiet hilltop back streets with our gentle sightseeing course before spending a night at a modern, stylish cycling-themed hotel.
Walking distance: 4 km / 2 mi
Elevation gain: 260 m / 850 ft of both ascent and descent
Time required: about 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After selecting your bike, 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 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.
Cycling distance: 35-65 km / 20-40 mi (up to 80 km / 50 mi)
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)
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 (tradtional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Continue along the Shimanami Kaidō cycling route, passing through small island settlements with some of the most scenic sections of the route before arriving into Imabari on the island of Shikoku. Drop off your bikes at Imabari Station and head onwards by train.
Cycling distance: 20-45 km / 13-28 mi
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent (with some very brief ups and downs to reach each bridge)
Time required: 2-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast
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 45 km, 4-hour cycle today.