Itinerary

The Forgotten Island

Matsuyama - Kochi - Kotohira - Kurashiki - Osaka

13 days

Travel to Japan has increasingly become about avoiding the crowds, and this adventure to Shikoku Island achieves just that. And what awaits for you is an unadulterated, authentic and astonishing experience, unsullied by the blight of mass-tourism. Or "any' tourism, for that matter. This is why we love Shikoku Island.

Your travels in Japan begin in Matsuyama, a vibrant city famous for its castle, its citrus fruits and Dogo Onsen - one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs. From here you spend a day on the Shimanami Kaido, a bike ride across the huge suspension bridges which link Shikoku to the mainland (don't worry, e-bikes are available!). From here you pick up your hire car and drive south-east to Kochi, a famous port town, before heading back north to Kotohira and one of Japan's most famous ryokans.

Head back to the mainland via Nao Shima, the art island, and spend a couple of nights in Kurashiki - a gorgeous canal town. The last stop is at Himeji - the best castle in all Japan? - and then an urban fix in Osaka, Japan's second city, before flying home.

Day 1

Depart from your local airport, and then fly direct to Japan from Heathrow or wherever is most convenient.

Day 2

Transfer through Tokyo Haneda and fly west to Shikoku Island. Arrive in Matsuyama Airport, where you are met and welcomed by our local representative. Direct transfer to your accommodation in Dogo Onsen, a modern take on a Japanese ryokan.

Day 3

A full day to explore Matsuyama - the castle, the cuisine and Dogo Onsen.

Day 4

Full day excursion to the Shimanami Kaido. You are picked up in Matsuyama and head to the starting point - where you are joined by your private guide. Head off on your e-bikes across the suspension bridges, with a support vehcile in tow. Once you've exhausted yourself, perhaps cycling for four to five hours, you are rescued by the vehcile and taken back to Matusyama.

Day 5

Pick up the white car from Matsuyama and drive south to Kochi City, stopping for a stroll at Nakatsu Gorge en route.

Day 6

A full day exploring Kochi and environs - the castle and Katsurahama Beach being perhaps the highlights of the day.

Drive north to Kotohira, via the Iya Valley rope bridges and Nagoro scarecrow village. Check in to Kotohira Kadan, one of Japan's finest ryokans.

Day 8

Drop the hire car back at Takamatsu and then it is the Marine Express train back to the mainland. Visit the gardens at Okayama before checking in to your accommodation in Kurashiki, a pretty and historically important canal town.

Day 9

A full day exploring Kurashiki.

Day 10

Back to Okayama and then it is time for the bullet-train in to Osaka. However, you stop en route in Himeji to visit White Heron Castle (named due to its elegant, white appearance), widely considered Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds

Days 11 & 12

Two full days in Osaka, a city famous for its exuberant outlook and amazing street food.

Day 13

Transfer back to Kansai Airport, ready for your flight home.

An indication of cost

An indicative per person cost for this 13-day itinerary would be circa £4,590 to £6,900, which would include luxury accommodation, private transfers from and to airports, bullet-train tickets in Green Car (first class), and international flights from the UK in the World Traveller Plus cabin (Premium Economy).

Obviously, the price you pay depends on the accommodation you choose (and room category), for how many days you would prefer to book a private guide, which cabin you like to fly in (if you'd like for us to include the international flights)...etc. Because all of our holidays are tailor-made, by altering the itinerary, changing the accommodation selections and/or taking another look at the inclusions we can usually adjust the total price – either down to match your budget or enhancing it further with upgrades.

If you were to move the dates in to peak periods (Cherry Blossom Season, Golden Week, New Year and the such), then the cost could potentially rise. And, of course, if you wanting the absolute finest, most prestigious accommodation then costs will once again head north.

We don't have to include international flights. However, by keeping it all within one package, your arrangements are protected by our ATOL licence which offers financial peace-of-mind for you.

Different Japan strive to offer the most competitive prices in all instances - just because you may have a larger budget at your disposal, this does not then mean that 'value' assumes any lower priority. We will always keep a keen eye on cost by using any promotions available and seeking the best value with every airline, hotel and/or service provider we use. We explore all the available options and monitor our costs against what you would be able to buy direct, ensuring we are always the better option.

However, we pride ourselves first and foremost on quality - we are an independent specialist tour operator and, therefore, are not beholden to any supplier. We make our decisions based only on who's best in each and every instance.

Itinerary

The Forgotten Island

WHERE WILL YOU STAY & WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

An indication of cost

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