Japan: Hiroshima & Island Hopping

Take the express train from Osaka Kansai Int. Airport to Kyoto City (approx. 70mins), then a local taxi to your first hotel. (approx. 10mins). Explore Kyoto at your own pace before getting a good nights sleep.

You stay at Hotels, Ryokan & Minshuku Guesthouse.

hotel details

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Hotels, Ryokans & Minshuku Guesthouses,

Hotels: Modern western-style hotels are used. The rooms are generally smaller than equivalent hotels in the West. All have en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, TV, and fridges in rooms.

Ryokan: Ryokan are traditional Japanese-style inns. They may be in modern concrete or older wooden buildings, but the rooms are always in the Japanese style with tatami (straw) matting and futons laid out in the evening by the ryokan staff. Evening meals* are served together usually in the dining room and are exquisitely prepared multi course meals. Many ryokans have both en-suite bathrooms (except for some older buildings) and communal hot spring style baths. They are the classic Japanese experience.

Minshuku: Minshuku are usually family-run traditional Japanese-style inns. They have tatami-mat rooms, with futons laid out in the evening for sleeping. Most minshuku do not have en-suite bathrooms as they are in older traditional wooden buildings. Compared with a ryokan, they are usually (but not always) slightly less formal, but the service and food* are just as good.

At these the inns and Shukubo, futon bedding on tatami mat is provided; toilet and bathing facilities may be shared.

*Most meals will be Japanese cuisine. Vegetarian options are available but limited. Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten free diets will be difficult to accommodate due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and the use of soy sauce and miso in Japanese cuisine. Tips are not required when dining in Japan.

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in the incredible city of Kyoto. As the ancient former capital of Japan, Kyoto is a treasure trove of historic monuments, elegant green spaces, traditional wooden houses, temples, pagodas, and shrines. The sights of passing geisha, exquisite artwork and traditional prayer rituals offer an almost time-travelling experience to those who wander through.

While Kyoto is associated with tradition, the city also is home to a modern creative community, constantly reinventing the old and inspiring it with new life. We also recommend visiting the historical city of Nara, full of cultural treasures and expansive parks, located approx. 1hr from Kyoto city on the train.

Embark on an exciting bullet train journey to Hiroshima (approx. 2.5hrs - included). This well-known city was the first in history to bear the impact of the use of atomic weapons. The city never forgets its past with memorials to the bombing of 6th August 1945 including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial and Museum.

With a rich historic past that extends well beyond these tragic events, Hiroshima boasts a vibrant city life, wonderful local cuisine, and gorgeous surroundings perched on the blue waters of Hiroshima Bay. We recommend visiting the serene Shukkei-en Garden, a perfect example of traditional Japanese gardens and a peaceful escape for a few hours.

On the slopes of Mount Mitaki, the Mitaki-Dera Temple is an understated hidden gem in Hiroshima and a great spot to admire the cherry blossoms (sakura) in spring or the red maple leaves (momiji) in autumn. Another sight not to be missed is Hiroshima Castle. With the original lost to the atomic bombing of 1945, the castle was rebuilt in 1958 exhibiting fascinating reconstruction efforts and stunning panoramic views of Hiroshima.

Hop on the boat from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island (approx. 45mins - included). Here, the wild deer roam free along the beach and are considered sacred by the people of Miyajima. In ancient times, these deer were considered messengers of the gods, and had temples built in their honour where offerings of food were made.

Arguably the most famous icon on the island is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine - and for good reason! Dating back to the 13th century, the shrine was built on pillars over the Inland Sea creating a spectacle which appears to be floating on the sea against the island's mountainous backdrop. Often the most recognisable part of the shrine is The Great Torii Gate. This 54.5 foot structure is a symbolic gateway, known for its design which gives the illusion that it's floating, however, this is only true during high tide. During low tide, you can walk from the island out to the gate. In fact, the Torii serves as a popular spot for locals to gather shellfish! The Miyajima oysters are a famous local dish here.

In the afternoon, you have time to climb Mount Misen, the highest peak on the island offering spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea. The mountain is said to have been a favourite spot of Kobo Daishi's, and as such is home to several fascinating Buddhist sculptures and artifacts. There is even a flame that is said to have been lit by Kobo Daishi himself, known as the Eternal Flame, which has been burning continuously for over 1,200 years! Either return via cable car or extend your walk by an additional 7km.

Take the boat to Miyajimaguchi (approx. 10mins - £2pp paid locally), then the train back to Hiroshima (approx. 30mins - included).

Travel to Fukuyama in Tomonoura Bay by train (approx. 25mins - included), the lovely thousand-year-old port town which inspired Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki when he created the animated film Ponyo. Preserving its old-fashioned townscape, this is a fantastic setting for your morning sea kayak tour around Sensuijima Island (approx. 2-3hrs).

Later in the afternoon, take the ferry from Tomonoura to Sensujima Island (approx. 5mins - £2pp return paid locally) for your overnight stay in a traditional Japanese Inn. Sensujima is an uninhabited island surrounded by clear blue waters and covered in lush greenery. Created as a result of large-scale volcanic activity that occurred six to eight million years ago, one of the geological standouts is known as the Five-Colour Crag, made of black, red, blue, yellow and white rock formations, said to be a power spot.

As well as hiking and swimming, we recommend that you reinvigorate yourself by luxuriating in the bathing facilities on Sensuijima. You can use cave tide baths and ocean baths at Kokumin Shukusha Sensuijima, the island's government-operated hotel. The water is drawn from the ocean before being heated and is full of minerals to warm your whole body up.

Please note: If kayaking is not possible due to poor weather, we recommend further exploration time on Sensuijima Island and in the relaxed village of Tomonoura (two optional sightseeing walks are possible).

Return to Tomonoura by ferry (included with yesterdays ticket), then take the bus to Fukuyama (approx. 30mins - £3pp paid locally). From here, the train takes you to Onomichi (approx. 50mins - included) the entry point on the mainland side of the renowned Shimanami Kaido cycling course.

Spend your day exploring the romantic seaside town of Onomichi's wonderfully old-fashioned shopping arcades and quiet hilltop back streets. Characterised by its many slopes, discover this quaint town along its narrow lanes and famous Temple Walk passing 25 beautiful temples.

Collect your bike and embark on the first day of cycling the Shimanami Kaido. Connecting Japan's main island Honshu to the island of Shikoku, Shimanami Kaido passes over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea and is one of Japan's most visually stunning bike routes.

Along the way, you're treated to beautiful ocean views and the history of the islands' small towns. En-route, you'll pass through Innoshima Island known for Suigun Castle where pirates often demanded tolls from passing merchants. The next island you come to is Ikuchijima, known for the stunning Kosanji Temple; certainly worth stopping for.

This bike route is well-marked and well-maintained with over 150 cyclist-friendly shops and guesthouses that provide drinking water, toilets, air pumps, bike stands, and benches as part of this developing program. Spend the night in a traditional Japanese inn on a remote island part-way along the cycling route.

Continue along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, passing through small island settlements with some of the most scenic sections before arriving into Imabari on the island of Shikoku.

The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge from Oshima to Imabari marks the end of the route. Completed in 1999, it is the world's first triple suspension bridge with a total length of about 4,100m. If you have some time to spare before crossing over to Imabari, you may want to visit the Yoshiumi Rose Park on Oshima Island. The park contains 3,500 roses from 400 different species. Stop between mid-May and December to see them in bloom.

Imabari is the second largest city in Ehime Prefecture. Its remaining industries are tiles, towels, and fishing, and here you can find six of the sacred sites on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Here, the locals favourite dish is fried pork and eggs over rice. Other specialties include ramen made from the especially delicious local sea bream. Drop off your bikes at Imabari Station and head onwards by train to Takamatsu (approx. 2hrs - included).

Spend your morning exploring the castle town of Takamatsu. Flourishing during the Edo period as the closest port to mainland Honshu, even today it serves as the main hub to reach Shikoku Island and the local islands of Naoshima and Teshima.

Takamatsu is also home to Ritsurin Koen; ranked as one of the top three gardens in Japan with a long history dating back to the 17th century. The spacious park features many ponds, hills, trees and beautiful pavilions divided into a Japanese-style garden in the south and Western-style garden in the north. The gardens are set in front of wooded Mt. Shiun which serves as a wonderful background. We recommend visiting the Kikugetsu-tei teahouse in the southwest part of the gardens where, for a small fee, you can enter and enjoy some tea on its verandas overlooking the ponds.

In the afternoon, take the train to Osaka (approx. 2hrs - included) and explore this fabulous city in awe!

Known as the food capital of western Japan, Osaka gets this title in part from the fantastic Dotonbori area in the south of the city. Countless restaurants line the Dotonbori-gawa River offering dinner with views. The city is home to Osaka-jo - a symbolic castle, re-built to its grand size after repeated fires.

Osaka boasts Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai, the longest covered shopping arcade in Japan as well as the Umeda underground mall - a vast network of restaurants and shops. Tenpo-zan Harbour Village is also a huge draw, with the excellent Kaiyukan, which is one of the biggest aquariums in the world, as well an enormous 110m ferris-wheel and shopping mall.

We recommend visiting the grand Sumiyoshi Shrine, an easy 10-minute ride on the Nankai railway from Namba station. The shrine grounds have beautiful nature such as sacred trees over a thousand years old, and the main shrine buildings feature the ancient Sumiyoshi-zukuri style of architecture which pre-dates the arrival of Buddhism to Japan.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the train to Osaka Kansai Int. Airport (approx. 35mins).