Hiroshima, Miyajima & Shimanami Kaido Luxury Cycling 3D2N

Walking distance: Misen Mountain Hike, approx. 3 km, 1.5 - 2 hours

Arrive at Hiroshima station at your own arrangement. Upon arrival at the station, our local representative will meet and greet you at the station, and then transfer you to Miyajima by private car and ferry. Explore the beautiful island at leisure and stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan.

Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. The whole of Miyajima is a sacred place regarded as an object of worship, where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site, is located.

Itsukushima Shrine has more than 1400 years of history and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The current main building constructed by Taira no Kiyomori about 800 years ago faithfully inherited the "shinden-zukuri" style (Heian imperial style). The large red gateway rising out of the ocean is the eighth gate.

Hike to the summit of Misen Mountain via The Daishoin Route. Misen, the highest mountain on Miyajima island is more than 535 meters above sea level. Explore the 'Virgin Forest Misen' on foot, be enchanting by the beauty of the natural forest, rugged landscapes of giant rocks, and the dotted islands floating on the Seto Inland Sea below. There are more than 2,000 stone steps to the summit. At the sixth marking stone near Satomiya Mura, there is a spot to view the Torii so beautiful that you can feel a sense of accomplishment.

You could also spot wild deers wandering around the island or resting along the walking paths.

Miyajima is a romantic place, best enjoyed by staying overnight at one of the island's ryokans. While there are usually many day tourists, in the evening the area becomes much quieter and more peaceful. After the hike, your guide will drop you off at your luxurious accommodation - Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto, which has been in operation on the land of Miyajima since the early Edo period.

Experience the traditions of Japan at the 400 year old retreat, the closest to the entrance of the Itsukushima Shrine. Your luxurious modern room features the views of five-story pagoda and Senjokaku of Itsukushima Shrine. At sunset, enjoy fantastic views of stone lanterns lighting up the ocean.

Enjoy dinner prepared using world-class ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea, e.g. sea bream, conger eel, hairtail, sild sardine, oyster.

Room Style: Western with Itsukushima Shrine view

Bed Type: Twin Beds

Bath: Indoor / Outdoor Onsen

Toilet: Ensuite Western style

Cycling distance: approx. 70 km

Enjoy breakfast and take in the majestic views of of five-story pagoda and Senjokaku of Itsukushima Shrine.

Your guide will meet you at the accommodation and transfer you to Onomichi for bike fitting.

Today you will embark on the world famous Shimanami Kaido cycling route, cycling 70 km across the Seto Inland Sea from Onomichi to Imabari.

Beginning your cycling journey on Honshu in Onomichi, ride across the six islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima, before terminating on Shikoku in Imabari. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the islands' small towns.

The bicycle route is well marked and maintained, and diverges from the expressway on the islands. The ramps leading up to the bridges were built at small inclines with cyclists in mind. The entire route can be comfortably completed in a day by intermediate cyclists.

Your ride is accompanied by a supporting vehicle which will transfer your main luggage and provide you all services needed along the ride.

On completion, you will be transferred to a secluded hot spring retreat - Yamatoya Besso, where you can soak in the hot spring bath and enjoy traditional kaiseki dishes utilising the rich seasonal ingredients of Setouchi.

Situated in the quiet outskirts of Matsuyama and in the Dogo Hot Spring district, Yamatoya Besso is a refined Japanese hot spring inn built completely out of Japanese cypress wood, in the traditional sukiya-zukuri style. Also referred to as “The Inn of Haiku”, you will be immediately welcomed by the scent of fresh flowers and burning incense when stepping into the Sukiya style entrance.

Room Style: Japanese style, Sakura room

Bed Type: Futon

Bath: Private Onsen

Toilet: Ensuite Western style

Enjoy breakfast and have a leisurely stroll to Matsuyama Castle at your own arrangement.

We will transfer you to Matsuyama ferry port, where you can take a 1 hour speedboat ride back to Hiroshima. The Inland Sea is generally calm, so the ferry ride is relaxing.