Shimanami Kaido | Savor Itinerary
Savor Itinerary #1
“In an age of speed, I began to think nothing could be more exhilarating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.”
- Pico Iyer
Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the vibrant streets of Tokyo, the historic tranquility of Hiroshima, and the lively pulse of Osaka, cycling across the Shimanami Kaido.
The Shimanami Kaido is a spectacular 70-kilometer cycling route that spans across seven picturesque islands in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, connected by a series of impressive bridges. This sea-crossing bike path offers breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and a unique blend of adventure and tranquility.
September to November is the ideal time to visit Japan, as the country transforms into an autumn wonderland with mild, pleasant weather perfect for outdoor activities.
Savor Shimanami Kaido
Itinerary
Tokyo
• Dates
October 14th - October 17th
• Accommodation
MUJI Hotel Ginza
• Things To Do
• Explore the vibrant Ginza district, known for its many izakayas
• Visit the Nezu Museum
• Experience live jazz performances at Sometime and Manhattan
• Stroll through Tokyo’s hidden gem, Rikugien Garden
• Enjoy a spa day at Spa LaQua
• Restaurants & Bars
• Dine at Okagesan in Yotsuya
• Enjoy Teppanyaki at Kurosawa, a historic house owned by director Akira Kurosawa
• Try Toriyoshi Yakitori in Akasaka Mitsuke
• Daily Schedule:
October 14th
• Arrive in Tokyo and check-in at MUJI Ginza
• Have dinner at Censu, a genre-blurring izakaya
October 15th
• Have lunch at Ginza Ramen or Tsukiji outer market
• Explore the Ginza neighborhood
• Dine at Teppanyaki Kurosawa in Ginza
October 16th
• Visit the Nezu Museum
• Stroll through Rikugien Garden, Tokyo’s hidden garden
• Explore Hirota Glassware store, popular with mixologists and bars
• Relax at Spa LaQua
• Dine at Toriyoshi Yakitori in Akasaka
• Experience live jazz at Sometime (Kichijoji) and Manhattan (Asagaya)
• Getting from Tokyo to Hiroshima:
Travel by train from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station, costing $117 per person.
Hiroshima
• Dates
October 17th - October 19th
• Accommodation
Iwaso Ryokan, a historic inn once used by the royal family, offering a unique experience of hospitality from a bygone era.
• Things To Do
• Visit the Peace Memorial Park
• Explore Itsukushima Shrine
• See the Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings left standing near ground zero
• Stroll through Shukkei-en, a formal Japanese garden
• Visit Hiroshima Castle, a historic fortress surrounded by a moat and park
• Restaurants & Bars:
• Hiroshima produces 80% of Japan’s oysters
• Kaki-goya: Enjoy fresh oysters and other seafood at this elegant restaurant known for its local delicacies.
• Ryokan Iwaso: Experience a unique dining atmosphere in a historic inn, once used by the royal family, offering traditional Japanese cuisine and hospitality from a bygone era.
• Day Schedule:
October 17th
• Enjoy breakfast at Tokyo Station
• Take a train to Hiroshima via Shinkansen
• Have lunch at Kaki-goya, the city’s famous oyster house
• Visit Peace Memorial Park
• Take a train and ferry to Miyajima
• Check-in at Iwaso Ryokan
• Visit Itsukushima Shrine
• Getting from Hiroshima to Dogo Onsen vis Miyajima
Travel by train from Hiroshima Station and ferry from Hiroshima Port to Miyajima, costing $56.5 per person. Take another train from Miyajimaguchi Station to Matsuyama City Station in Dogo Onsen costing $35 per person
Dogo Onsen
• Dates
October 18th
• Accommodation
Yamatoya Besso
• Things To Do
• Spend the day at Dōgo Onsen Main Building, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs with over 1000 years of history
• Renowned for its three-level public bathhouse built in 1894 under Mayor Isaniwa Yukiya
• Often crowded during peak times; arrive early and stand in line from 5 am as they only admit 30 people a day
• Restaurants & Bars
• Dine at Hanakoji for “CHAHARU modern Kaiseki cuisine” with local ingredients
• Enjoy an exceptional culinary experience at Ryokan Yamatoya Besso’s renowned restaurant
• Day Schedule
October 18th
• Travel by ferry and bus to Dogo Onsen
• Check-in at Yamatoya Besso
• Have dinner at the ryokan
• Getting from Dogo Onsen to Imbari: Travel by train from Miyaguchi Station ($5 per person) and take a ferry from Hiroshima Port ($30 per person).
Shimanami Kaido Islands
• Dates
October 19th
• Accommodation
Suminoe Ryokan
• Things To Do:
• Take the scenic Yosan Line
• Cycle along the Shimanami Kaido
• Visit the Ikuo Museum of Art
• Stay overnight on one of the islands to fully immerse in the tranquil environment
• Restaurants & Bars:
• Dine at Izakaya Garaji
• Day Schedule
October 19th
• Take the Yosan Line train to Imabari.
• Cycle from Imabari to Ono or Ikuchi Island.
• Check-in at Suminoe Ryokan
• Getting from Shimanami Kaido to Osaka:
Travel by train from Onomichi Station ($2 per person) and Fukuyama Station ($30 per person).
Osaka
• Date
October 20th - October 21st
• Accommodation
Konjaku-So Dotonbori
• Things To Do
• Explore the various Yaki Niku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants around Osaka
• Enjoy a full day hike at Minoh Park in north Osaka
• Follow a scenic 4-hour easy hiking course with a beautiful waterfalls
• Relax at Konjaku-So Dotonbori’s onsen after the hike
• Restaurants & Bars
• Consider dining at Matsusakagyu Yakiniku
• Day Schedule
October 20th
• Finish cycling and release bikes at Onomichi
• Travel by train to Hiroshima, then to Osaka
• Check-in at Konjaku-So Dotonbori
• Have dinner at Matsusakagyu Yaki Niku in Osaka
October 21st
• Spend the day hiking at Minoh Park
• Enjoy the onsen at your accomodation post-hike
• Getting from Osaka to Tokyo
Travel by train from Shin-Ōsaka Station, costing $45 per person.
Tokyo
• Dates
October 22nd - October 23rd
• Accommodation
MUJI Hotel Ginza
• Things To Do:
• Upon arrival in Tokyo, enjoy lunch at a Tonkatsu restaurant
• Check-in at MUJI Hotel Ginza
• Attend a gala dinner at Sushi Ten/Asaba in the evening
• Have drinks at Gen Yamamoto
• Restaurants & Bars:
• Enjoy a gala dinner at Sushi Ten/Asaba
• Enjoy stunning cocktails at he renowned Gen Yamamoto
• Day Schedule:
October 22nd
• Travel by Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo (2.5 hours)
• Arrive at Tokyo Station late morning
• Have lunch at a Tonkatsu restaurant
• Check-in at MUJI Ginza
• Attend a gala dinner at Sushi Ten/Asaba
• Have drinks at Gen Yamamoto
October 23rd
• Departure from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport
Just like the music is the sound between the notes, extraordinary experiences in Japan lie in between the moments... walking down a quiet street, hearing the birds chirp in a park or cycling 70 kilometers across 6 islands in southern Japan.
At Savor, we are curators whose mission is to help people savor life through extraordinary experiences. Welcome to the future of travel.
Forever seeking,
Team Savor
Details:
Shimanami Japan
Sonic Souvenir:
PERFECT DAYS Official Soundtrack - A Playlist by Mubi