Q. Can I join a cycling tour on the Shimanami Kaido?
Q. Can I join a cycling tour?
A. Yes. On the Shimanami Kaido, there are cycling events, races, and organized tours held regularly. You can join these events or hire a local tour guide through some travel agencies.
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Events and Organized Tours

The internationally known event “Cycling Shimanami” is held once every few years. It is more of a fun ride than a competitive race, featuring various large and small events and organized tours. This international event offers routes normally closed to the public, allowing cyclists to enjoy a unique fan-ride experience. These events and tours usually require prior application through the organizers.
Benefits of Joining a Tour
Beginner-friendly tours and local guided cycling tours offer the chance to visit places and routes that are hard to find on your own, and may include unique experiences. Not only local travel agencies but also major companies like JTB and HIS have recently started offering package tours for cycling on the Shimanami Kaido. Many travelers choose to join these tours.
No Regular Daily Tours
However, the Shimanami Kaido is well-equipped with route guidance and rental bikes, so most travelers enjoy cycling independently rather than joining tours. Because of this, regularly scheduled daily tours that you can join simply by visiting a rental terminal in the morning are still quite rare. If you want to join a tour, you generally need to apply or arrange it in advance.
Hiring a Personal Guide
Some local travel agencies in the Shimanami Kaido area offer personal tour guides. For example, WAKKA on Omishima, Cyclotourism Shimanami in Imabari, and Tabitasu on Ikuchijima provide private tours. While hiring a guide will incur additional costs, it offers a tailored cycling experience based on your needs. For groups with many beginners, having a guide is also recommended for safety.
This page provides a simple answer and detailed explanation for the common question: “Can I join a cycling tour?” For more FAQs, please visit the page below. We hope this helps you plan your Shimanami Kaido cycling trip.
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