Shikoku Pilgrimage

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

SHIKOKU PILGRIMAGE:  LAND OF 88 TEMPLES
    
Shikoku is one of the four main islands of Japan, world-famous for the millions of visitors from all over the world who complete a pilgrimage to several of its 88 temples.  This 15-day tour, from October 17-31, 2016, takes you to these ancient temples, several of them World Heritage Sites.  We will bicycle along quiet roads,  along the coast, sleep in traditional Japanese inns, bathe in the communal baths, and partake of the regional cuisine of Shikoku. On some days, because of the distances, we will take either a train, ferry, or bus either before or after we bicycle.  The tour starts in Kyoto and ends in Omishima, a two-hour train ride to Kyoto.   

The tour is fully supported by Cycling Japan, which has previously led other BAC tours in Japan as a subcontractor for Adventure South. Cycling Japan will supply our tour with two eight-passenger vans, and another guide who will cycle with our group.

Please note that tandems are not allowed under Japanese law.

WEATHER: The temperatures will be approximately a low of 59 degrees and a high of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.  In October, rains fall one or two days per week: so bring a rain jacket, you will need it. 

RIDE RATING: The tour is rated 2B, with an average cycling distance of 46 miles per day, and an average elevation gain of 2,304 feet.  Four of the days exceed the Level 2 (2,500 feet) elevation gain, and five of the days exceed Level B distance (50 miles) with the longest day's ride totalling 56 miles. You will be expected to ride the full distance but there will be 16 seats available in the two vans for  cyclists who are tired or ill.  We will provide route sheets and GPS files for each riding day. One guide will draw chalk marks on our routes to signify  turns. We will rest on Day 8.

ITINERARY:
Day 1-We meet in Kyoto, formerly the Imperial capital of Japan, for our welcome dinner. Kyoto, considered Japan’s most beautiful city, is also home for 14 of the 17 World Heritage Sites entitled  “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.” You may wish to arrive early to visit the sites.

Day 2-Kyoto-Nara (32 miles, 600 feet) In Nara, we tour the Todaji (Eastern Great Temple), a Buddhist temple complex within the World Heritage Site as “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” The Great Buddha Hall houses the world’s largest statute of Buddha.

Day 3-Train from Nara to Sakurai (30 minutes), Cycle from  Sakurai to Koyasan (45miles, 3608 feet).  After a 30-minute train ride from Nara to Sakurai, we cycle along the river towards our destination of Koyasan, its temples being another World Heritage Site.  One of those temples will serve as our overnight lodging.

Day 4-Bicycle from Koyasan to Wakayama (43 miles, 987 feet), a mostly comfortable downhill ride. In Wakayama, we take a two-hour ferry ride across the Kii Chanel  to Tokushima on Shikoku Island.  We visit Konggobuji Temple, the main temple of 3600 Shingon Temples in Japan. 

Day 5-Tokushima to Hiwasa (40 miles, 2296 feet) We ride along the tranquil Naka River, and then during lunch visit Yakuou-ji Temple, founded in 1200’s and the 23rd of the 88 temples.

Day 6-Hiwasa to Muroto (52 miles, 984 feet) We cycle along the scenic coastal road, and visit the ancient Hotsumisakiji temple, the 24th of Shikoku’s 88 temples.  Muroto is a beautiful coastal town on the Pacific Coast.

Day 7- Muroto to Kochi (53 miles, 984 feet) We will cycle four miles north of Muroto to visit Shinshouji, the 25th of the Shikoku 88 temples, and the old landscapes of Kiragawa, where there are numerous heritage buildings with stone walls and tiled roofs.  Then, we cycle along the coastline and  along a separated bike path for four miles before reaching our day's destination, Kochi.

Day 8-Rest Day in Kochi.  Our inn is a five-minute walk to the famous Katsurahama Beach.  You can enjoy an Onsen Spa at the hotel, or take a 30-minute bus ride into Kochi. In the inner Kochi City is the 400-year old Kochi Castle, one of 12 castles which survived from the feudal age.

Day 9-Kochi to Matsubagawa (54 miles, 2296 feet) We cycle along the coast as we leave Kochi, then turn inland into the small tranquil village of Matsubagawa. Our inn for the night is on a small river and has an Onsen Spa.

Day 10-Matsubagawa to Shimanto City (47 miles, 656 feet) We cycle along the Shimanto River, known as the “last clear stream in Japan” since it has no dams.  Our ride finishes at our inn with a scenic river view. 

Day 11-Shimanto River to Cape Ashizuri (56 miles, 2952 feet) We cycle along the picturesque Shimanto River to the coastline of Ashizuri Umwajima National Park, and end the day at Cape Ashizuri, the southernmost point of Shikoku. We will visit the 38th temple,  Kongofukuji.

Day12-Cape Ashizuri to Ainan (56 miles, 3903 feet) We continue cycling along  Ashizuri Uwajima National Park, and then inland on a delightful country road to our family-owned guest house in a Sotodomari fishing village.

Day 13-Ainan to Imabari (3.5 hour bus ride); Imabari to Omishima Island (29 miles, 2696 feet) For 3.5 hours via bus, we travel north from Ainan to Imabari where we will stop for lunch.  From Imabari, we cycle on separated bike paths on the first of three bridges, admiring the views of the Seto Inland Sea, passing through the first island of Oshima, then resting on the second island of Hakata before continuing to Omishima Island, our destination for the day. 

Day 14-Omishima to Onomichi  (45 miles, 2391 feet)  In the morning, we will visit the Oyamazumi Shrine, one of the most revered shrine in Japan, and Omishima Museum of Art, which houses about 80% of the ancient armor and weapons of the nation.  We  then cycle through three more islands before reaching Onomichi on the mainland of Honshu. 

Day15 -Tour finished after breakfast.  Two hour train ride to Kyoto and three hours to Kansai International Airport.

LODGING:  We will be staying mostly in traditional Japanese Inns called “Ryokans,” which have futons as beds. Most of the Ryokans provide a traditional night robe called a “Yukata.” Some rooms do not have private showers, and showers must be shared with your fellow riders.  Some Ryokans have a public  Onsen Spa. 

LOGISTICS:  Since the tour starts in Kyoto, we recommend that you fly in and out of Kansai international Airport (KIX).  You will need to take a bus from the airport to the Kyoto Station, and then take a free shuttle to the hotel. We will provide information for transporting your bike box from the airport to the first hotel.  In Kyoto, your bike box will  be shipped to our last hotel at no extra cost. On the last day of the tour, you could take a train from Onomichi to Kyoto (two hours away) or directly to Kansai International Airport (three hours).   The train cost is not included in the your fees.  Rental bikes will be available.  Please contact the Ride Coordinator for more information.

COSTS AND ADMINISTRATION:  The tour cost includes 14 nights accommodation,14 breakfasts and 10 dinners, snacks, refreshments and the social hour.  It also includes three English-speaking guides, of which two will each drive a eight-person van, and the third guide will ride with the group. The costs do not include lunches or rental bikes. The costs were determined at the exchange rate of 117 Yen to the Dollar, and your final costs will be determined at the exchange rate near the time of the tour. 

SINGLES:  We encourage singles, and if you wish, we will try to pair you up with a roommate of the same sex.  Unfortunately, there will be a single room supplement of approximately $400, if we cannot find you a roommate of the same sex. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The $100 Overseas fee is non-refundable. If a tour participant cancels, the participant is entitled to a refund. The amount of the refund will be determined on the traditional basis used by the Bicycle Adventure Club, which requires that the remaining participants will not incur additional costs due to the cancellation.  If the canceling participant cannot be replaced, any refund will be determined after the tour, and  the final expense report is completed. However, after August 10, two months before the tour, there may not be any refund unless we can fill your place. 

SIGN-UP: To submit a request to join the tour, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description.  After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list, and you will receive an email message requesting that you return to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability. When you are accepted for the tour, I will notify you by e-mail and request the $ 1500.00 deposit be sent via check made out to "Albert Balingit", and not the Bicycle Adventure Club. Upon the receipt of your deposit, your name will be added to the list of participants.  Another $1500.00 payment is due on April 1, 2016 with the balance due by August 1, 2015. To contact me (the Ride Director), click-on the name at the top of this ride description.