Hiroshima & Shimanami Kaido self-guided 6 Days

Enjoy the slow island life on the Setouchi Inland Sea with cycling, kayaking and walking

Hiroshima & Shimanami Kaido self-guided 6 Days

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May 2024
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Tour details

Hiroshima & Shimanami Kaido self-guided 6 Days
x1 traveller
USD 0
Single room additional charge
USD 795
TOTAL
USD 0

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.

  • Duration: 6 days
  • Trip level:
    Active
    Level
  • Availability: Recommended from March until November
  • Type:Self-guided
    Level
  • Price: USD 2,510(Price per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a room)
Highlights
  • Cycling island-to-island along the scenic Seto Inland sea
  • Sea kayaking around Tomonoura Bay
  • Enjoy wonderful views over the sea, valleys and mountains of Hiroshima
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage of Miyajima Island with its free-roaming deer
  • Pay a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and accompanying museum

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.

Download PDF itinerary

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What is included
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
What is not included
Flights
Airport transfers
Drinks and meals not included in itinerary
Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy
Daily luggage transfer
Itinerary

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.