Japan Shikoku Pilgrimage & Inland Sea Islands Hiking Tour

This active journey explores Japan's least-visited main island, Shikoku, combining sacred mountain trails with rich coastal culture. You will hike centuries-old forest paths along the 88-temple pilgrimage route, venture into the remote Iya Valley, and island-hop across the Inland Sea to discover world-class contemporary art and iconic Shinto shrines.

Legacy of Asian Expertise: Operating in Asia since 1969, MT Sobek's top-rated local guides share deep insights into Japanese history, traditions, and culture.

Sacred Pilgrim Trails: Discover 12 of the 88 historic Buddhist temples along the 750-mile Shikoku Henro, walking alongside white-robed pilgrims through cedar forests and moss-covered stone paths.

Remote Iya Valley Exploration: Cross 12th-century vine bridges spanning rushing rivers and explore 300-year-old thatched Edo-period farmhouses in traditional mountain villages like Ochiai.

Inland Sea Art and Culture: Board ferries to Naoshima to experience subterranean contemporary art museums and Yayoi Kusama's famous Pumpkin, then visit Miyajima's UNESCO-listed "floating" Itsukushima Shrine.

Authentic Ryokan Lodgings: Enjoy six nights in traditional Japanese inns (ryokans) featuring therapeutic onsen hot spring baths, evening yukata robes, and artfully presented local cuisine.

With mild temperatures and good trail conditions, spring and autumn are the best seasons to hike in Japan. Spring brings lush greenery and mild weather, while autumn offers crisp mountain air, stable skies, and vibrant seasonal foliage across Shikoku's forests and the Inland Sea islands. Our trips operate during these windows for optimal conditions.

March to May - Spring: Temperatures are moderate as the landscape comes alive, making it a popular window for cultural discovery and hiking. To maximize your chances of witnessing Japan's legendary cherry blossoms, consider a departure between late March and early April. Precise timing can vary from year to year depending on weather conditions, and this is a very popular time for visitors.

September to November - Late Summer and Early Autumn: During these months, expect warm days, particularly in September. In November, maple and cherry trees turn vibrant shades of red and gold, with cool temperatures—ideal for vigorous hiking.

The standard minimum age for this trip is 18. This itinerary is designed with adult travelers in mind, based on daily activity levels, accommodations, and overall group experience. Families or groups with children as young as 16 should check out our private departures .

Once your reservation with MT Sobek is finalized, we'll notify you of your trip status. After your departure is confirmed to operate, flights and travel arrangements may be purchased. While we can often confirm departures in advance, some decisions may be finalized closer to final payment.

We strongly advise checking directly with your Adventure Coordinator before purchasing any non-refundable air arrangements. For expert assistance with your flight plans, we recommend reaching out to Exito Travel at 800-655-4053 or via email at mtsobek@exitotravel.com.

Once your booking is finalized with MT Sobek and the trip has been confirmed to operate, check with your Adventure Coordinator prior to booking non-refundable flights.

To arrange your bullet train tickets from Hiroshima on Day 12, send your flight details to your Adventure Coordinator at least two months before departure.

Arrival: Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Itami International Airport (ITM) by 3:00 pm on Day 1 to allow time to transfer on your own to your Kyoto hotel in time for the 6:00 pm orientation. Arriving at least one day early is strongly recommended to avoid travel delays.

Departure: You may schedule your departure flight from Kansai International Airport (KIX) after 5:30 pm on Day 12. This timing accounts for the morning ferry, private van, bullet train, and airport express train transfer from Miyajima Island to Kansai International Airport.

You will meet your MT Sobek guides and fellow travelers at 6:00 pm in the hotel lobby for a welcome orientation, followed by a short subway ride together to the Gion district for our welcome dinner. Note: You will travel independently from the airport to our hotel in Kyoto on Day 1.

If you arrive in Tokyo prior to the start of the trip, we suggest taking the bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Kyoto to join the group. Train service between Tokyo and Kyoto is frequent and straightforward. To arrange your train travel in advance, we recommend downloading the SmartEX app. With the app, you can easily reserve seats and use electronic tickets. Reservations typically open one month prior to your travel date.

For early arrivals in Kyoto, we recommend staying at our group hotel, Nohga Hotel Kyoto Kiyomizu. To avoid changing rooms, request a Double Room if booked in a single, a Standard Twin Room if booked as a twin, or a Superior King Room if booked as a double.

For post-tour extensions in Hiroshima, we recommend Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate. Please book your extra nights directly with the hotel.

A valid passport is required to enter Japan. Most countries require that passports be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your trip and contain at least one blank page for entry stamps.

US citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Non-citizens should consult their local embassy or consulate to confirm current entry requirements.

Before traveling, we recommend visiting the Visit Japan Web website to upload your passport information and complete the customs questionnaire. This will expedite immigration processing upon arrival and can simplify claims for tax-free shopping.

MT Sobek does not arrange private airport transfers for this trip. Guests will need to transfer independently to Kyoto using the airport express trains, shuttle limousine buses, or taxis. Detailed instructions for these transit options will be provided in your Final Details.

We use a private van for transfers between trailheads and accommodations from Day 3 through Day 9, with driving times typically ranging from 1 to 3 hours per day. We will also use local transit including subways in Kyoto, bullet train on Day 9 and 12, and several short, scenic ferry rides across the Inland Sea.

The longest driving days occur on Days 3, 5, and 7, which require 3-hour private van transfers to connect trailheads and reach the remote Iya Valley. Day 12 is a longer transit day, combining a 30-minute ferry ride, a 30-minute private van transfer, a 1.5-hour bullet train ride to Shin-Osaka, and a 1-hour express train to Kansai International Airport.

Yes, we can accommodate many common dietary restrictions on this trip with advance notice.

Let us know about your dietary restrictions and food allergies as soon as possible. Please share dietary requirements at least three months before departure on your Participant Information Form, so we can coordinate with guides, hotels, and restaurants. Once the tour begins, new requests or changes generally cannot be accommodated.

For vegetarian and vegan guests, we can request meals without apparent animal products, but meals entirely free of fish traces aren't possible, since dashi (a broth made with dried fish flakes) is used throughout Japanese cooking; guests avoiding dashi entirely may want to bring supplemental snacks. Similarly, we can't guarantee fully gluten-free meals, as soy sauce and miso contain gluten and are difficult to avoid, though we can request that wheat noodles, tempura, and breaded items be excluded.

During the two-night stay at the ryokan in the Iya Valley, meals are served as set multi-course menus. The inn can accommodate meals without meat or fish; however, dashi, which may contain fish, is still used as a base seasoning. Since meals include a wide variety of small dishes, guests are welcome to swap items family-style at the table to suit everyone's preferences.

Yes, a limited number of single rooms are available. About a third of our travelers go solo, and single room inventory often books up quickly! You can find more information on solo traveler options here .

Single rooms are guaranteed at our Western-style city hotels in Kyoto, Tokushima, Takamatsu, and Hiroshima. Due to limited space at countryside ryokans, solo travelers who book a single room may be asked to share a twin room with a same-gender traveler for up to six nights of the trip.

Weather in Japan features four distinct seasons, with MT Sobek trips running during the moderate spring and fall months and avoiding the more extreme summer and winter months. While temperatures are generally comfortable, rain is frequent, and conditions can shift quickly between the coast and the mountain trails.

March and April: Expect daytime highs in the 50s and 60sF, with cooler evenings in the high 30s to 40sF.

May: Daytime temperatures can reach the mid-70sF, with trail temperatures averaging 64 to 70F.

September & October: These months remain warm after summer heat, with highs in 70s and 80sF. Expect cooler evenings in October.

November: Expect highs in the 50s and 60sF. Evenings can dip into the 40sF.

Yes, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance can help cover trip cancellations or interruptions, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, travel delays, and other unexpected situations. We offer travel insurance with Arch RoamRight and will be happy to provide you with a quote. Please see our Travel Resources page for more information.

There is no standard required clearance from a doctor to participate in this trip. You will have an opportunity to discuss your fitness and preparedness for the trip with MT Sobek. If you have medical concerns or questions about fitness, consult your healthcare provider before traveling.

Check with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for information on recommended immunizations, and/or your local travel clinic or healthcare provider for health concerns at your destination.

Stay healthy by hydrating regularly, adding powdered electrolytes on warmer days, and practicing diligent foot care with broken-in boots, liner socks, and blister treatment like moleskin. Wash and sanitize hands frequently, especially before meals and after using public transportation.