Hiroshima, Shimanami Kaido
CYCLE, WALK & KAYACK
TYPE AND LEVEL OF TRIP: Sea kayaking, cycling, sightseeing walks and hiking
WALKING SEASON: Recommended from March until November
Highlights
- Cycling island to island along the scenic Seto Inland sea
- Bathe in the thermal hot spring waters with detox bathing at a traditional inn
- Explore the UNESCO world Haritage of Miyajima Island with the free roaming deer
- Enjoy wonderful views over the sea, valleys and mountains of Hiroshima
- Sea kayaking around Tomonoura Bay
- Experience the emotional peace park and genbaku dome in central HIroshima
Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea are some of the most scenic areas of Japan. This tour offers exploration of the wonderful variety of towns, villages and islands in both rural and central Hiroshima, experienced through activities suited to you, with kayaking, cycling, sightseeing walks and hiking availabe. Explore the seaside town of Tomonoura and UNESCO World Heritage island Miyajima (famous for its friendly deer and the iconic "floating" Torii gate off Itsukushima Shrine), walk through the emotional history of Hiroshima and timeless hilltop communities of Onomichi, fishing with our version of the varied and scenic island hopping cycling course Shimanami Kaido. Pass over the Setouchi Inland Sea visiting remote islands, which together with delicously fresh seafood cousine, offer a uniquely modern cafe culture, before arriving in Ehime prefecture on Shikoku Island; the perfect entry point of our 4 day Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage tour.
Please ask for information about tour extensions to the port villages and thatched room comminities of mountains northern Kyoto, the art island of Naoshima on the Setouchi inland sea or the historic ancient captal of Nara.
This tour offers gentle cycling and hiking suitable for children of 12 and up. All activities are option, so please enquire for alternatives if travelling with younger passengers. For the cycling sections, E-bikes are also available for a supplement.
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 the use of atomic weapons. The city never forgetsits past, and there are memorials to the bombing of 6 August 1945 including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial and Museum.
You 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.
Accommodation: Overnight in Hiroshima or spend a night on Miyajima Island
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 appers 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 cablecar. Please let us know if you would like to include a sea kayak experience around the Torii Gateof Itsukushima Shrine to complement the kayaking you will undertake later on the trip.
Walking distance: 4.7 km / 3 miles of optional hiking
Elevation gain: 810 m / 2,660 feet of ascent, neglible descent
Time required: About 2-3 hours
A longer 12.1 km / 75. miles hiking option, with an ascent of 1,030 m and descent of 1,015 m, foregoing the descending cablecar ride, is availabe.
Accommodation: Overnight in Hiroshima or spend a night on Miyajima Island
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 "Port awaiting a favorable tide" and this town preserves its old fashoined fishing townscape. Enjoy a morning sea kayak tour around Sensui-jima Island.
Later in the afternoon continue to Sensui-jima island by ferry for your overnight stay at a traditional Japanese inn.
Kayaking time: About 2-3 hours
Walkind distance: 2km / 1.2 miles of optional sightseeing
Elevation again: negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 1-2 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.
Accommodation: Ryokan Inn
DAY 4
Walking in the hilltops of Onomichi
Depart this morning for the romanic seaside town of Onomichi - the entry point on the mainland side of the Shimanami Kaido cycling course. Spend the day exploring Onomichi's wonderfully old fashioned shopping arcade and quiet hilltop back streets with our gentle sightseeing course before spending a night at an historic Ryokan inn, or a modern, stylish cycling themed hotel.
Walking distance: 4km / 2 miles
Elevation gain: 260 m / 850 feet of both ascent and descent
Time required: about 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Ryokan Inn
DAY 5
Cycling along the Shimanami Kaido
Selecting 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: 35-65 km / 20-40 miles (up to 80 km / 50 miles)
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 inn
DAY 6
Complete the Shimanami Kaido and head onwards
Continue along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, passing through small island settlements with some of the most scenic sections of the route before arriving into Imabari town on Shikoku Island. Drop off your bikes at Imabari Station and head onwards by train or head inland by bus to reach the trailhead of our 4 day Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Self guided walking tour.
Cycling ditance: 20-45 km / 13-28 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent (with some very brief ups and downs to reach each bridge)
Time required: 2-4 hours
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.
PACKAGE
Inclusions
- 5 nights Japanese inns or western style hotels
- 5 breakfasts and 2-4 dinners
- Round trip train tickets from Kyoto or Osaka
- Sea Kayaking on Tomonoura Bay
- Detailed day by day itenerary, walking directions, and maps for Tomonoura, Onomichi, HIroshima and Miyajima
- Return ferry tickets between Hiroshima and Miyajima
- Bycycle rental and topographical cycling maps along the Shimanami Kaido
- Local support by telephone and email
- Our preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan Guidebooks
- Optional orientation at the Kyoto office
