Shikoku / Shimanami Highway / Hiroshima

Bound by the major islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai) is the largest inland sea in Japan. With its calm sea surface and mild climate, the Sea and its surrounding areas have prospered as an important shipping lane since ancient times, and are full of sites of scenic and historical interest. On this trip, we explore islands and surrounding areas of the Seto Inland Sea, riding along picturesque coast of the Sea dotted with numerous islands, visiting historical and cultural sites, enjoying great food. En route, we ride across the Sea using the Shimanami Highway, the most popular cycling course in Japan which stretches across the Sea from Shikoku to Onomichi on Honshu. Our tour ends in Hiroshima with visits to the Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, both registered with the list of UNESCO's world cultural heritage sites.