Coastal Japan: San-In Explorer

Please make your own way to Tottori City, the gateway to the San-in region. At 1pm the group will get together at the hotel for a bike fitting followed by an easy 25 km warmup ride to the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest and most visually striking of their kind in Japan. You'll also visit the Sand Museum with its impressive sand sculptures. In the evening there will be a tour briefing and welcome dinner at a local izakaya restaurant.

Cycling Distance: 25km

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Tottori

After a 25 minute train journey along the San-in line to the outskirts of Tottori City, you'll begin your ride and soon be greeted by vistas of the majestic Sea of Japan. Continuing along a coastal route you'll pass sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages nestled between scenic headlands. After 15 km you'll turn inland where the landscape transforms into a tapestry of farmland and forested hills. Soon you'll reach Lake Togo and follow a picturesque 10km loop around its shores where the lush countryside becomes decidedly more mountainous - you'll have some climbing to do! Today's destination is Mount Mitoku, home to the fabled Buddhist temple of Nageiredo. Precariously perched on the mountain's cliffs, it can only be accessed by a steep hike which takes about 1 hour each way. Then you'll continue cycling to Misasa Onsen, your home for the night. This evening why not relax in the healing waters of the various hot springs in town.

‍Cycling Distance: 52km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Misasa Onsen

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We follow the Tenjin River for about 20 km back to the coast before veering west where the route then alternates between coastal and inland stretches through pear farms and rice fields. Eventually you'll catch glimpses of the towering Mount Daisen, a dormant volcano once referred to as the “Mountain of the Great God” which also resembles the more well-known Mount Fuji. As you continue along undulating roads on the lower and middle slopes of the volcano, be sure to stop regularly to appreciate the area's natural beauty. There will be a mixture of easy climbs and steeper uphill bursts with the reward being a well earned descent. Tonight's destination is the seaside town of Kaike, known for its onsens and seafood. Make sure you catch the sunset at the sandy Kaike Onsen Beach

Cycling Distance: 73km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Kaike Onsen

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This morning you depart Kaike by following a very pleasant, newly built coastal cycle path to Sakaiminato. The city and its surrounding area is sandwiched between the Sea of Japan to the east and the Nakaumi Inland Sea to the west. From here, cross the famous Eshima Bridge to the islands of Eshima and then Daikonshima for a stop at the Yuushien Gardens. Take a stroll around these beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens before looping back to the coast via a scenic road that seemingly floats on the Nakaumi Inland Sea and then continues to hug the edge of the Sakaiminato Strait. Today's ride finishes with a high-arched bridge crossing to the harbour where the bikes will be loaded onto the ferry to Oki Islands. Consisting of 180 islands and inlets, this volcanic archipelago in the Sea of Japan will be our home for the next two days. Tonight we sleep at a seaside hotel near the port of Dogojima, the largest inhabited island of Oki. We are now in a truly remote, offshore, part of Japan!

Cycling Distance: 46km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Oki Islands

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Considered by those in the know as one of Japan’s best cycling routes, today’s ride covers a large slice of Dogo Island’s craggy east coast and forested interior. From our hotel at Saigo Bay, the first half of the route carries us up the east coast on a stunning stretch of asphalt. This road hugs the shore, glides through forests, and burrows through tunnels beneath the coastal hills. We then veer inland, where the day’s toughest climb (5 km / 4-5%) takes us past an ancient cedar tree believed to be over 600 years old and has spiritual significance for the islanders. The final 15 km lead us back to the coast through dense forest cover, ending our ride at a small pier, home to traditional boat-building sites and a unique "bull sumo" stable. From here we board a private charter boat and zip across the Oki Strait to the island of Nakanoshima. Here we switch to a public inter-island ferry to reach Chiburi Island, the southernmost and smallest of the four inhabited Oki Islands. A short transfer then delivers us to our hotel with breathtaking views of the ruggedly beautiful seascape.

‍Cycling Distance: 46km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel on Chiburi Island

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This morning, a quick transfer brings us back to the pier for a ferry to the island of Nakanoshima. Upon disembarking, our bikes await, and we'll spend the morning and early afternoon cycling around this stunning island. The ride offers a dynamic succession of 1-3 km ascents and descents with mostly gentle to moderate gradients, though be prepared for a few bursts creeping into double digits. We begin by riding down the east coast with lovely views over the bays of Oki’s inner islands. After curling around the island’s southern reaches, we head up the sparsely populated west coast, which is filled with dense forests of temperate broadleaf and towering cedar trees. At around 32 km, we reach the north of the island and complete our loop back to the pier, riding through the patchwork of rice paddies sprawling around Ama Town. In the mid-afternoon we board our final boat of the Oki Island stage, cruising back to the mainland for 2.5 hours. Upon arrival in Sakaiminato City we will be transferred to our hotel and reconvene for dinner in the evening.

‍Cycling Distance: 44km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Sakaiminato

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After breakfast it's a 12 km ride over the northern tip of the peninsula to Miho Shrine, one of Japan’s most scenic shinto shrines. Miho is nestled on the slopes of Mount Atago and consists of intricate wooden architecture, including a gorgeous torii gate. Another 3 km leads you to the Mihonoseki Lighthouse where you can climb to the top for breathtaking views of the surrounding sea, lagoon and cliffs. Then its a short backtrack before cutting across the hilly peninsula for 5 km to the coast. For the next 35 km the terrain is rolling as you cycle along the nature-rich coastline around headlands and through bays sheltering fishing villages. The final 10 km through rural areas leads to the historic city of Matsue on the shores of Lake Shinji. Walk over to the “Black Castle”, one of only 12 original feudal-era castles left standing in Japan! Perched on a hill and surrounded by a moat and thick walls, visiting Matsue castle makes for a great ending to the day.

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Cycling Distance: 65km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Matsue

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Using the hotel in Matsue as our base, today's ride is a fun loop that covers a large swathe of forest-covered rolling hills and flat farmland. For the first 15 km there's some gradual climbing but then it's all downhill or flat. Today's highlight is a visit to the Adachi Museum of Art in the lovely village of Hirose. This Museum is renowned for its integration of Japanese art within meticulously maintained gardens that feature lush greenery, carefully arranged rocks and serene ponds. Truly zen! Spend some time here before circling back to Matsue via roads flanked by extensive farmland. The rest of the day is yours to explore more of the city or to simply relax.

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Cycling Distance: 47km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Matsue

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Time for the home stretch as you cycle eastwards from Matsue to the coastal city of Izumo. The first 25 km has some steepish climbs and descents through a series of small valleys north of Lake Shinki. As you curve around the lake, the roads flatten and then skirt along the banks of two rivers - first the Hii and then the Kando – for 30 km. Finally you are are greeted for the last time by the turquoise waters of the Sea of Japan. The last few kilometres follow the coast to today's destination of Izumo Taisha. This is one of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto Shrines and certainly one of the most impressive due to its grand architecture! Spend some time exploring the beautiful grounds before taking a train (30 min) to your Izumo hotel. During tonight's final dinner together we will celebrate the completion of your San-in cycling exploration.

Cycling Distance: 63km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Izumo

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Time to say goodbye! Depending on your onward travel plans, either head to the nearby airport or the train station. Daily flights are available to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoaka. Kyoto and Osaka can be reached in half a day by train.

Cycling Distance: 0km

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

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