11-Day Shikoku & Cycling in Shimanami Kaido

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This morning, you'll meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby and head to Fukiya Furusato village. After exploring the historic, red-ochre-coloured village, you'll visit the former Fukiya Elementary School. The next stop is the Tetta Winery, an unlikely place to find a winery but one which flourishes. You'll taste the wines over lunch. Afterwards, you'll go to Ikura Cave to explore one of the largest caves in Western Japan. You'll return to Takahashi at the end of the day.

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This morning, you'll leave Takahashi behind, and head to Okayama, the first stop of the day. Okayama is one of the major commercial, industrial and cultural cities in the Chugoku region and is nationally known for its celebrated Korakuen Garden and the Okayama Castle. From Okayama, you will take the express train bound for Takamatsu. After checking in at your accommodation, your guide will take you on a tour of the city’s main sights.

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Today, you will travel to Japan’s famous “art Island”: Naoshima, a sleepy island which thanks to an art-loving Japanese businessman’s vision, has gradually become one of the world’s most unique destinations for art lovers and travellers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences. Whilst here, you'll visit the Red Pumpkin, The Ando Museum, The Chichu Art Museum and The Benesse House before taking the ferry back to Okayama in the evening.

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You'll meet your guide at the hotel lobby and head to the port. You'll then take the ferry tp Shodoshima. You'll begin your tour at the Nakayama Senmaida Rice Terraces, selected as one of the 100 best rice terraces in Japan. Then, you'll visit Olive Park, a beautiful place to walk. Up next is the Marukin Soy Sauce Memorial Hall, followed by a trip to the Kankakei Gorge. At the end of the day, you'll return to the port to take the ferry back to Takamastu.

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This morning, you'll head to the station to travel to Kochi. First, you'll take the local train bound for Kotohira. Upon arrival, you'll visit Kotohira-gu Temple which lies at the top of 1368 stone steps. From there, you'll visit Kanamaruza Kabuki Theatre. When no performances are being held, the theatre is open to the public. You'll then continue your journey to Kochi and visit the Hirome Market, made up of over 60 shops, and finish the tour with a visit to Kochi Castle and Chikurinji Temple.

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This morning, you'll check out of your accommodation and head to Kochi station. You'll then take the local express train for Matsuyama. Matsuyama is the largest city of Ehime prefecture and home of the oldest onsen in the country and one of Japan's twelve "original castles". Enjoy all the fantastic sights of Matsuyama at your leisure.

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The town of Ozu is known as the Little Kyoto of Iyo. It's a great place to visit offering the historical allure of Kyoto in a tranquil, countryside setting. Today, you'll visit the Ozu Castle which was crafted mainly with wood and traditional construction techniques. As a result, it looks close to the original castle not only from the outside but also inside. At the end of the day, you'll return to Matsuyama.

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This morning, you'll take the local train to Imabari. Upon arrival at Imabari, you'll collect your rental bicycles and start cycling the Shimanami Kaido, a 60-kilometre-long toll road that passes over several smaller islands in the Seto Inland Sea connecting Japan's main island of Honshu with Shikoku. Shimanami Kaido is the only route that allows you to travel by bicycle or on foot. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea all the way to Omishima.

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Today, you'll continue cycling the second half of the scenic Shimanami Kaido, from Omishishima to Onomichi. Upon arrival at Onomichi, you'll return your rental bicycle and check-in at your accommodation. During your free time, you can take the ropeway to Senkoji Park and stop by the Jikoji temple where you can make your own clay Buddha statue. You can then walk the trail to the Senko-ji temple. Continuing down, you will find yourself at the Neko no Hosomichi.