Shikoku Trips

Planning a trip to Shikoku in 2026? A few things worth knowing. Shikoku’s e-bike tour infrastructure continues to develop, with both 10Adventures tours running year-round and offering private guided experiences with a maximum of eight guests. Matsuyama’s Dogo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring complex, recently completed a major renovation and has fully reopened to visitors; the main building is a must-visit on any Shikoku itinerary. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for cycling and exploring the island’s rural landscapes, with mild temperatures and lower humidity than the summer months. The Ohenro pilgrimage route continues to attract growing international interest, and walking or cycling sections of it alongside local pilgrims remains one of the most memorable experiences in Japan.

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, located south of Honshu and north of Kyushu, separated from the mainland by the Seto Inland Sea. It is divided into four prefectures: Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime and Kagawa. The island’s main cities are Matsuyama in Ehime, Takamatsu in Kagawa and Kochi in Kochi Prefecture. Shikoku is connected to Honshu by the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the Nishiseto Expressway. Browse all guided tours of Japan to explore beyond Shikoku, or discover tours on Japan’s other islands: guided Honshu tours, guided Hokkaido tours, guided Kyushu tours and guided Okinawa tours.

Shikoku’s four prefectures each have a distinct character. Ehime in the northwest is home to Matsuyama, Shikoku’s largest city, where Matsuyama Castle stands as one of Japan’s few original surviving feudal castles, and Dogo Onsen provides a historic hot spring experience dating back over 1,000 years. Kagawa in the northeast is the gateway to Shikoku, with Takamatsu offering the celebrated Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s finest traditional landscape gardens, and easy access via bridge from Honshu. Kochi on the south coast has a wilder, more tropical character, with the Shimanto River flowing through remote countryside to the Pacific, and the Hirome Market offering some of Shikoku’s best local food. Tokushima in the east is the traditional starting point for the Ohenro pilgrimage and is famous for the Awa Odori festival, one of Japan’s most celebrated summer dance festivals, and the Naruto whirlpools.

Guided e-biking through Shikoku’s satoyama landscapes is the defining activity of a 10Adventures Shikoku tour, combining cycling with cultural immersion, local food and hot spring experiences. For broader Japan cycling options, browse Japan cycling tours and for hiking across Japan, explore Japan hiking tours. Beyond cycling, Shikoku offers the Ohenro pilgrimage circuit for walkers and cyclists, white-water kayaking on the Shimanto and Yoshino rivers, sea kayaking in the Seto Inland Sea, temple hopping through rural countryside, traditional Japanese craft experiences including Tosa washi papermaking, and some of Japan’s finest regional cuisine.

Shikoku has a mild climate year-round, but the best seasons for cycling and outdoor activity are spring and autumn. Spring (March to May) brings cherry blossoms and warm temperatures; trails and rural roads are at their most scenic. The Ohenro pilgrimage season peaks in spring and autumn when pilgrims flood the island. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with a rainy season from mid-June to mid-July; the south coast around Kochi can be particularly warm but beaches are excellent. Autumn (September to November) offers the most comfortable cycling conditions, with clear skies, cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage in the mountain areas. Winter (December to February) is mild in coastal areas, particularly around Matsuyama and Takamatsu, and remains a good season for cultural touring and onsen visits.

All 10Adventures tours in Shikoku are guided, with local English-speaking guides providing cultural context, logistics support and insider knowledge of the island’s rural landscapes, food culture and historical sites. Both tours are private and run year-round for groups of up to eight guests. 10Adventures currently offers two guided e-bike tours in Shikoku: the Shikoku Island Discovery E-Bike Tour, an 8-day guided e-bike tour through satoyama villages, mountains and rivers with houseboat experiences, and the Shikoku Island Nature and Food Highlights Tour, an 8-day guided e-bike tour covering Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen, Ashizuri-Uwajimakai National Park and Shikoku’s finest regional food.

For self-guided cycling tour options in Japan, browse Japan cycling tours which features both guided and self-guided options across Japan’s islands.