Beyond The Blue Line

Beyond the well-known cycling routes, this relaxed island-hopping journey uncovers the quieter corners of Setouchi: coastal roads, fishing villages, citrus groves, cliff-top onsens and authentic local communities. With two-night stays throughout, the pace is slower than the operator's other Japan tours, leaving time to properly settle into each place before moving on. Highlights include cliff-top onsens, kaiseki dinners and a genuine taste of everyday Japan.

For 2027, Wheel Women has again partnered with WomanTours USA, having run the tour together in 2026. It's a women-only cycling adventure built around supportive, judgement-free riding, letting participants explore at their own pace. The route runs from Onomichi through Mukaishima, Setoda, Omishima and the remote island of Osakikamijima, mixing Shimanami Kaido cycling, ferry hops and cultural stops including a wagashi-making workshop, before finishing back in Onomichi.

Highlights:

• Ride quiet, lesser-known sections of the Shimanami Kaido, including a climb to Kirosan and the Kurushima Kaikyo bridge crossing
• Visit Shiratakiyama, home to hundreds of stone Buddhas, via the "flower line" climb
• Stay two nights on the remote, time-warp island of Osakikamijima, with a cliff-top onsen and kaiseki dinner
• Explore the preserved old town of Takehara and the port town of Setoda, including Kosanji temple
• Take part in a traditional wagashi sweet-making workshop and mini tea ceremony with a fourth-generation maker
• Onsen soaks, local izakaya-style dinners (including Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki) and a final celebration dinner in Onomichi

Surface and terrain: There are several notable climbs, including a short, sharp forest climb to Takamiyama, a roughly 2 km climb up Shiratakiyama (partly walked), and a legendary 3 km climb to Kirosan. Riding otherwise follows quiet coastal roads and the Shimanami Kaido's dedicated cycle paths and bridges, with ferry transfers linking some sections (Osakikamijima and Takehara). Specialized e-bikes are used throughout. No daily distances, surface type (sealed/unsealed) or total elevation figures are given.

Weather: Not stated on the page.

Suitable for: Moderately fit people looking for a "relaxed" trip prioritising slower travel, culture and onsen time over distance, though it includes several genuine climbs.