ur journey from Hiroshima to Kyoto will be an unforgettable experience, allowing us to explore some of Japan’s most fascinating and historic landscapes. Starting from Hiroshima, we will go through the history of this beautiful country and soon after, we’ll cycle through the Shimanami Kaido cycling network where the famous suspension bridges are located, including the renowned Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge, which is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world at over 4 kilometers long.
We will then cross the island of Tokushima, renowned for its natural beauty, with breathtaking mountains, rivers, and fishing villages. Leaving Tokushima Island, we will then set our wheels on solid ground towards Nara, famous for being Japan’s first permanent capital, renowned for its ancient historical sites, parks, temples, and wild deer that roam freely through the streets. Finally, Kyoto awaits us for our last leg, where on bikes and in Kimono attire, we will try to spot the famous “Geishas.”
Dates
9 - 23 October 2026
Duration
16 days
Stages
10
Length
891 km
Elevation
8060 m
Difficulty
Hard
Bike guides from PA-Cycling (specific number of guides depends on the number of participants)
Transfer from Hiroshima airport to our Hotel (If arrival on the scheduled day) | Transfer to the Kyoto Airport by train (on the scheduled day)
2 night’s stay in Hotel in Hiroshima (breakfast and welcome dinner included) | Two nights in the Kyoto | All Overnights in Riokan and small guest houses
Dinner during stages included
Travel insurance coverage
Everyday if needed
where its possible
Airfare and baggage fees
Lunches during all stages and dinner where not expressly specified — Food during bike days except where specified
Additional costs in case of logistic changes (extra transfers etc.)
Anything not listed in “The price includes” section
Arrival in Hiroshima. Transfer to hotel. Bike preparation, briefing.
Do some sightseeing and purchase food—there are many places to buy supplies in Hiroshima. Bike bags and boxes will be sent to our final destination in Kyoto, so please drop them off at this time.
Departure from Hiroshima:
We begin our journey in one of Japan’s iconic cities, passing through Hiroshima on our way to the famous town of Onomichi, a must for all cycling enthusiasts.
We will leave our hotel and head for the cyclist’s paradise, crossing all the islands of Shimanami ‘flying’ between its suspension bridges to arrive in the mainland of Imabari.
After resting the legs and mind, it is time for the first mountains, here begins one of the beautiful uphill stages arriving at the coastal town of Yawatahama.
Leave the coast and we will get lost in the mountains, here we will measure ourselves against the nature that surrounds us to land, tired but happy in the most expeditious place in the Shikoku region.
A short stage but with some climbs, we head back to the coast where we will not miss a nice dinner of local fish.
After the rural experience of Nakatosa, it is time to return to the city, Kochixi will welcome you with open arms and a good dose of modern Japan, not to mention a visit to the castle of the same name.
After resting in the previous stages, it is time to return to the mountains and here begins one of our challenges, a long stage but with breathtaking scenery where we will stay in a typical Japanese Ryokan.
The journey is not over yet, but today we will leave the island of Shikoku to land in the historical part of Japan. The paths will become more traditional and we will begin to hear the sacred chanting of Japanese Buddhism.
There are no words to describe the magic of Nara, it will be a stage that will leave us with bated breath, today we could finally trace the history of Japan by arriving in the city of the sacred deer.
Our journey is not fake because after leaving the scent of the incense in Nara it will be time to go in search of the Maiko (Geisha) in Kyoto, today will be a special day because retracing the passage of the pilgrims we will have forgotten where we started but not where we arrived.
