Tour Fee:
Registration fee = $100 CAD, which will be refunded to those who are not selected for the tour.

Tour fee for 15 Day Tour is:
$2,300 CAD if we have 14 participants
$2,600 CAD if we have 10 participants
Single Supplement travelers (one person to a room) will not be possible for this tour due to accommodation constraints.

Where is the Seto Sea?
The Seto Inland Sea (typically referred to as Setouchi) is the body of water separating Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, three of the four main islands of Japan. The region is known for its moderate climate, with a stable year-round temperature and relatively low rainfall levels. This vast yet calm body of water plays host to over 700 islands. Laid back and slow paced, the islands of the Setouchi are a real draw for tourists, and each island offers different experiences and traditions.

The coastal area of the Setouchi is one of Japan’s major tourist destinations and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by bike. It is a virtual utopia for cyclists. One of cyclists’ many touring options is the 70-kilometer Shimanami Kaido highway linking the city of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture and the city of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. With a route linking islands directly above the waters of the sea, it features special lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, full of ancient shrines, temples and contemporary art, restored traditional houses, and strategically perched cafés serving fresh-squeezed citrus juice.

There is also some cycling on the Kamijima Islands, Kakishima Kaido and Tobishima Kaido, three other popular chains of islands for cyclists. A visit to Hiroshima is also a must.

Traveling to Onomichi
While there are many ways to travel to Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, we recommend the simplest and most economical method.

Travelling from Canada (Calgary, Vancouver or Toronto ) Westjet and Air Canada have direct flights to Tokyo Narita International Airport. It takes about 1 hour by train to downtown Tokyo.

After the long flight, a night in a Tokyo hotel is recommended. The following day, travelling from Tokyo to Hiroshima by Nozomi Shinkansen (the fastest bullet train) takes about 4 hours and costs about 300 CDN. From the train it will be possible to see the beautiful countryside of Japan.

Arriving in Hiroshima, a short local train ride will take you to Onomichi.

We will stay at a mix of Japanese and Western Hotels including a Ryokan that does not have toilets or showers in the room by design. Some of these smaller islands have fewer options than other areas of Japan. As we cannot book until later in the year, the final selection will be shared with participants once confirmed. These are some of the options we are looking at:
Hotel Innoshima, Komecho Ryokan, Comfort Hotel Kure

The daily rides will range from 50 km to 80 km with plenty of elevation! We stop for coffee and visits to tourist attractions. Most rides are on paved roads. Maps will be posted and found in Ride with GPS. This is a self-guided tour with no support vehicle so all cyclists are expected to come ready with the routes as there is no leader or sweep. As well, participants are expected to be able to fix a flat. Our luggage will be transported ahead to the next hotel by our dedicated driver. Participants will only be allowed one piece of luggage (maximum of a 60l soft sided bag with no wheels).

• Maps and GPS routes
• Some breakfasts come with lodging\
• Welcome Treat
• Windup Dinner
• Happy hour
• Credit card stripe fee (3%) of money paid through CCCTS website
• Lodging 15 nights
• Luggage transportation between hotels
• Partial fee for our driver
• Partial fee for Leader/Co-Leader
• Expenses for Driver to Recon Area for 2 days

• transportation to and from the start and end of the tour
• Personal expenses
• Bike rental
• Ferries
• Meals other than those noted as included
• Visa (not needed for those with Canadian, US, UK, or US passports)
• Medical/Travel Insurance

**Some of our hotels include breakfast but some don’t. More information will be available once hotel bookings are completed.

Bike Rental information
Bikes can be rented from the Giant Store in Onomichi. They do not accept bookings until 60 days before the trip. They have a wide variety of bikes and it is your responsibility to reserve your own bike. Contact details and further information will be provided at the time of booking the bikes. Below are the 2024 prices to guide you.

Day 0–March 31, 2026
Individual arrival at our Onomichi Hotel.

Day 1–April 1, 2026
29k and 303m elevation — Bike pick up and a ride around Onomichi, a charming coastal town known for its narrow streets, temples, and seaside views. Welcome treat and social included.

Day 2–April 2, 2026
61k and 760m of elevation–We begin with a short ferry ride to Mukaishima Island, the first of the popular Shimanami Kaido Cycling route. Our first bridge crossing, Mukaishima Ohashi Bridge, will have us cycling around Iwashi Island. Some of the sites include visiting the Stone caves near Tsabuta Sank as we make our way to our hotel on Innoshima Island. If we have the legs, we can attempt a climb to the Shiratakiyama Observation Deck.

Day 3–April 3, 2026
51k and 805m of elevation–From our Innoshima Hotel, we will cycle the Yumeshisma Kaido. Cycling to Karoto Ferry Port we ferry our way to Yuge island to begin exploring the Kamijima islands. The name Kamijima means “Upper Islands” in Japanese. The islands of Yuge, Ikena, Iwagi and Sashima are connected by suspension bridges. We will ferry back to our hotel on Hinnoshima Island.

Day 4–April 4, 2026
60k and 455m elevation–From our Inomishima hotel, we will cycle to Sagishima
and the Kone Islands. As the cherry blossoms should be in full bloom, we will climb up the Hill of a Thousand Cherry Trees.

Day 5–April 5, 2026
62k and 700m–Time to complete the Shimanami Kaido all the way to Imabari on Shikoku Island. Cycling across Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima Islands to cross the longest bridge onto Shikoku Island. We will spend three nights in Imaberi to rest, explore and ride some more.

Day 6–April 6, 2026
Rest day
Things to do in Imabari: Imabari-jo Castle, Imabari Towel Museum, Itoyama Observatory, Oyamazumi Shrine, Umi-no-mieru Cafe, Daichi-so (restaurant and view).
Cycling shop: Giant store (1-729-8, Kitahorai-cho, Imabari-shi) if tune up required.

Day 7–April 7, 2026
36k and 450m of elevation–Cycling around the northern part of Imabari.

Day 8–April 8, 2026
53k and 500m of elevation–Cycling to Matsuyama on Imabari-Dogo Hamakaze Sea Route. We will head down the coast to the historic city of Matsuyama, the capital of the prefecture of Ehime. Cycling through the city, on our way to our hotel, we will view an impressive 17th-century Japanese castle, Matsuyama Castle.
Cycling Shop: Matsuyama Cycle Base for tune-ups.

Day 9–April 9, 2026
Rest Day–Visiting or optional individual cycling in Matsuyama, a stop at Blue Bottle Coffee Dogo or a day trip to Tobe. Highlights: Tobe pottery, Dogo Park.

Day 10–April 10, 2026
35k and 500m of elevation on Gogo Island–Our goal today is to get to Kure, across the Seto Sea, near Hiroshima. A two-hour ferry via the port in Matsuyama will take us directly to Kure. Depending on the timing of the ferry to Kure, we could cycle to Gogo Island by taking the Takahara ferry to Tomari Port. We will be spending three nights in Kure.

Day 11–April 11, 2026
30k and 250m of elevation–Cycle to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Visit and return to Kure by ferry.
Cycling Shops: Visit Y’s Road Hiroshima

Day 12–April 12, 2026
Short 50k 500m of elevation
Long 87k and 1050m of elevation–More Island cycling on the Kakishima Kaido, a popular and sacred place for cyclists. This well-maintained road along the sea offers a comfortable ride that runs from Kure City, across the Ondo Ohashi Bridge to Kurahashi Island, and across the Hayase Ohashi Bridge to Kirigushi Port in Etajima. We will loop around these islands back up to Kure for the night.

Day 13–April 13, 2026
70k and 800m of elevation–Time to leave Kure and cycle our last island chain, the Tobishima Kaido Islands. We cycle to the Akinada Bridge through Kamagari Islands, Toyoshima, Osaka- Shimozima and Okamura. From Okamura Island, we cycle to Ocho Port to be ferried to Akashi Port on Osaki-Kamizama Island.
Local bike service at Tobishima Kaido Cyclist Stop

Day 14–April 14, 2026
56k and 420m of elevation–From our hotel, we cycle to Tarum Ferry for Takehara on the mainland. If time permits, we will explore Takehara’s preserved historic district before cycling back to Onomichi, where we will share a final supper together.

Day 15–April 15 2026
Bike returns and individual departures.

Registration will be on the CCCTS website on the date shown. A computerized lottery system and waitlist will be utilized in the event that the ride is over-subscribed. A $100 payment is required at the time of registration. The lottery signup will run for 6 days, after which the Ride Leader will review the results.

The selection process will consider the following criteria in evaluating candidates:

• fitness and riding ability as well as experience required for the tour, (this includes the ability to use RWGPS and minor bike repairs),
• a history of demonstrating safe riding practices with the club,
• acceptable social behaviour and the willingness to work as a team (see Code of Conduct),
• experience touring without support, a sense of adventure and the ability to adapt and pivot should challenges arises,
• reference check and interview will be part of the selection process,
• leaders may need to consider the constraints of the accommodations in terms of the number of singles, couples, and solo travelers who can be accepted.

The leader has the option to prioritize 30% of the tour applicants up to a maximum of 4 people.

• The leader will notify registrants of their selection status. If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will continue until the closing dates shown. Tour member selection is done primarily by lottery results but the leader will have the final decision and the right to reject applicants for the tour.
• After you have been notified you are selected for the tour, the tour fee deposit of $1000 will be due on September 3, 2025. Last payment is due Jan 15, 2026.

In the event of cancellation – The registration fee is non-refundable when a member withdraws from a tour or hub & spoke. If a replacement can’t be found, we will refund any tour fees for costs that could be avoided. However, if there are costs that cannot be avoided, these will not be refunded.

Communicable Illness Information
The CCCTS Communicable Illness Policy takes into consideration regulations and recommendations from Public Health Authority of Canada, BC Centre of Disease Control, and Public Health Ontario. In the case of illness while on tour, it is expected that all participants will follow the procedures outlined in this policy. Please refer to https://cccts.org/club-document/staying-safe-guidelines-2022-oct-15th-2022-update/ for details on the club’s Communicable Illness Policy.
CCCTS strongly encourages all participants to be up-to-date on their vaccinations for COVID and all other communicable diseases.
Everyone should bring 3 COVID test kits with them on the tour and take responsibility for self-testing if they feel ill.

Air Travel Emissions Statement:
A return flight from Vancouver to Tokyo is 15,000 km or more and will produce about 2.8 Tonnes of total emissions per person. For comparison, one year of driving a gasoline-powered car produces 2.0 tonnes of total emissions. For more information on the impact of those emissions on climate change and extreme weather events see. https://cccts.org/club-document/air-travel-emissions-from-cccts-tours/