Details

Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku is a largely undeveloped island with a mild climate and cycling-friendly roads. Low population means less traffic, and yet almost all roads in the region are sealed and well maintained. Historically the people of Shikoku traveled around by foot for trade and family events, and naturally took the paths of least resistance, being the 3 mighty main rivers of Kochi, along with a number of their tributaries. We use these trails to good advantage in this tour, offering stunning mountain vistas but without a significant amount of climbing - just 600 m to 800 m per day of elevation gain.

The three rivers are the Yoshino, a fast-moving waterway that is famous for rafting and other thrilling water sports; the Niyodo, which is noted for its cobalt blue source and reputation as Japan’s clearest river; and the Shimanto, which is Shikoku’s longest river as well as being the country’s longest undammed river. The tour takes an East-West swing up from Kochi city and into the mountainous hinterland of the prefecture, then in a long slow arc across the foothills of the Kochi range, you turn southward again and eventually emerge at the Pacific coast.

Accommodation is available either as budget locations or in some areas more high-grade auberge-style hotels. At least one evening you will stay with locals at their rooms alongside a tributary river, enjoying local food and conversation as you wind down for the day.

As a 4-day cycling tour with some moderate climbs, you should be reasonably fit and able to handle intermediate-level courses. The climbs themselves are generally of short distance (1-2 km for main inclines) and can be walked in a reasonable time if you wish to conserve energy.
The tour is available as either a self-guided package, where the bike(s), accommodation, and transport are arranged, along with a phone-in Help Desk if things get difficult.

Tour itinerary

Day 1 (Kochi to Okawa - 80 km)
10:00 Arrive at Kochi Station and pick up bicycle(s) and other gear. If you have chosen the Guided Tour option, then the guide will instruct you on how to use the bike and safety rules. If you are self-guided, please refer to the tour instructions.
10:30 Dispatch one bag to Day Three accommodation (prior to tour you should have dispatched your second bag to Day Two accommodation - allow 24 hours). Gear up, check bikes, leave Kochi station area and head out on route 31 (eventually joining route 32), following the secondary roads up to Otoyo. The main climb of the day is at around 20 km.
12:30 Stop for lunch in Otoyo town. Not much choice, so if you are vegetarian you may want to pack your own lunch.
13:00 Resume on route 439 and follow the quiet side of the Yoshino River all the way to Tosa Sameura.
15:30 You make a short detour to the south, to ride up to the famous rice terraces at Takasu.
16:30 Returning north, you arrive in Okawa village and check in to your accommodation.
17:00 Bag delivered by courier service
18:00 Dinner at accommodation.

Day 2 (Okawa to Niyodogawa - 80 km)
09:00 Breakfast at accommodation, review of the course for the day, dispatch bag to wherever you will be staying on the evening Day Four.
09:00 Check bike(s) and set off for the day.
12:30 Stop at Kogawa-higashi-tsuga-sai village for lunch.
13:30 Back on the road, heading west and mostly downhill.
15:00 At around 60 km into the trip you will intersect with the famed Niyodo River, and follow it upstream to our destination of the Nanokawa area.
15:30 Bag delivered by courier service
17:30 Reach accommodation and check in.
18:00 Dinner at accommodation

Day 3 (Niyodogawa to Nishitosa-Tachibana - 100 km)
08:00 Breakfast at accommodation, review of the course for the day, dispatch bag to Kochi or return address.
09:00 We’re getting an early start because today’s ride is a long one.
11:00 Around 20 km in, you will pass through a 2 km tunnel. Although disconcerting at first, there is a pedestrian way, so use this if you prefer.
12:30 Stop at Yusuhara for lunch. Take a look around, especially the Machi-no-eki Yusuhara (Yusuhara town station) designed by Kuma Kengo, and for local produce, the  Michi-no-eki Yusuhara (road station) is about 1 km east of town.
13:30 Back on the road, heading west and mostly downhill.
16:00 Around 30 km further, you will intersect with the upper reaches of the Shimanto River at Nishitosa-ekawasaki and follow the river downstream to your destination.
17:30 Arrive at accommodation and check in.
18:00 Dinner at accommodation.

Day 4 (Nishitosa-Tachibana to Nakamura, then Kochi return)
08:00 Breakfast at accommodation, review of the course for the day, dispatch last bag to your return address.
09:00 Today’s course is relatively easy and downstream towards the coast. The highlights will be broad expanses of gently flowing river and the rail-less “chinkabashi” bridges crossing the Shimanto River at regular intervals.
13:00 Arrive at Nakamura, have lunch, pack bike (if self guided and not using bike collection service)
13:49 Catch the train back to Kochi, via the Tosa Kuroshio Railway to Kubokawa then a change to the JR Dosan line.
15:31 Arrive at Kochi Station. Tour ends.