Adventure Travel Across Shikoku Island: Exploring Ancient Roads

Highlights

Day1 Konpira Kaidō

Begin your day with a rendezvous in Marugame, a coastal town in northern Shikoku where sea breezes meet quiet streets. After setting up your bike, trace the early steps of the pilgrimage by exploring the gateway towns that mark the entrance to the historic Konpira Kaidō—a route that for centuries guided pilgrims to the revered Konpira Shrine. The path winds through towns shaped by devotion, where inns, teahouses, and stone markers still echo the footsteps of travelers past. Upon arrival, explore the shrine complex and its hillside setting, gaining insight into Shinto beliefs and the cultural role of pilgrimage in Japanese life.

Day2 Yoshino River Waterway

Today’s journey blends cycling, trekking, and kayaking in a dynamic triathlon-style adventure. Cross a mountain range by bike and foot, following old trade paths that once linked valleys and villages. Then descend to the Yoshino River, where you’ll paddle downstream through scenic gorges. As you glide along this historic waterway, guides share stories of merchants and farmers who once relied on the river for transport and trade.

Day3 Udatsu Townscape

Visit a rural town known for its udatsu—decorative firebreak walls that symbolized wealth and status in Edo-period Japan. Stroll through preserved streets lined with traditional merchant houses, and learn about the region’s unique architecture, local industries, and cultural heritage. In the afternoon, begin a hill climb by bike toward Mt. Tsurugi’s midsection, gradually entering the mountain’s sacred domain.

Day4 Mountain road to Mt.Tsurugi

On this day, the journey leads you into a full-scale hill climb toward the base of Mt. Tsurugi, reaching an elevation of 1,500 meters. As you ascend, the landscape opens up in breathtaking intervals—each view a quiet testament to the effort you've made and the satisfaction it brings. Along the way, enjoy a homemade lunch at a local resident’s home, then take time to stroll along the lakeshore at the foot of the mountain, where serenity and reflection await

Day5 Mt. Tsurugi

Ascend Mt. Tsurugi (1,955m), one of western Japan’s most revered peaks. The trail winds through alpine forests and open ridgelines, offering panoramic views and moments of quiet reflection. Along the way, encounter shrines, moss-covered stones, and legends tied to mountain worship. At the summit, weather permitting, you may witness a breathtaking sunset, star-filled sky, or sunrise—an unforgettable reward for your climb

Day6 Iya Valley

Begin with a ridge walk through expansive mountain scenery, then descend into the secluded Iya Valley—long considered one of Japan’s most remote and mysterious regions. Cycle through steep-sided gorges, vine bridges, and villages with unusual histories. This is a place where Japan’s rural soul endures, untouched by time yet rich in stories and natural beauty.

Day7 Tosa Salt Road

Leave Iya behind and trek along the historic Salt Road, once used to transport salt from the Pacific coast inland. While Iya is well-known, the Kōchi side of the region remains a hidden cultural gem. Switch between hiking, cycling, and kayaking as you explore the Monobe area—where nature, tradition, and folklore blend into a landscape few tourists have seen. Discover local customs, sacred sites, and the quiet resilience of mountain communities.

Day8 Kōchi

Complete the last stretch of the Salt Road on foot, walking through forested paths and listening to local legends passed down for generations. As the trail becomes paved, hop on your bike and ride to the coastal town of Akōka in Kōchi, once a hub of trade and culture. After exploring its open, seaside atmosphere, transfer to Kochi City for a well-earned shower and a festive farewell dinner at the lively Hirome Market—where flavors, stories, and laughter bring the journey full circle.

Day9 Departure

From Kōchi Station or Kochi Airport, guests will head off to their next destinations. The nearest Shinkansen station, Okayama, is about two and a half hours away by express train. Direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka take approximately one and a half hours.

Arriving in Marugame

From Tokyo

• Take the Shinkansen to Okayama Station (approx. 3 hours)
• Transfer to an Express train "Nampu" to Marugame Station (approx. 40 minutes)

From Osaka/Kyoto

• Take the Shinkansen to Okayama Station (approx. 1 hour)
• Transfer to an Express train "Nampu" to Marugame Station (approx. 40 minutes)

Departing from Kōchi

To Tokyo

• Flight from Kōchi Airport to Haneda Airport (approx. 1.5 hours)

To Osaka

• Flight from Kōchi Airport to Itami Airport (approx. 50 minutes)

To Hiroshima

• Express train to Okayama Station (approx. 2.5 hours)
• Then Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station (approx. 40 minutes)

We provide domestic insurance coverage for basic adventure tours within Japan. However, please note that any medical expenses incurred outside of Japan—such as treatment for injuries discovered after returning to your home country—are not covered. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance in your home country that includes adventure tour coverage.