Coastal Japan: San-in Explorer

We meet in Tottori City and enjoy a warm up ride to Japan’s largest and most visually striking sand dunes.

Today’s route combines a scenic coastal ride along the Sea of Japan with an undulating inland section through the lush countryside. We also cycle up to Mount Mitoku where we hike to a temple hanging precariously off a cliff. We spend the night in a nearby hot spring town.

We head back to the coast by following the course of the Tenjin River. We then cycle along the undulating slopes of Mount Daisen, a majestic dormant volcano towering in the background, before arriving in the beach town of Kaike Onsen.

Today’s route around Sakaiminato City encompasses coastal rides, spectacular bridges, an inland sea, and a visit to beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens. We take a 2.5 hour ferry journey to the volcanic island of Nishinoshima.

A day of island riding and island hopping. On Nishinoshima we ride to the stunning Kuniga Coast where we’ll hike up to the Matengai cliffs. We then take an inter-island ferry to Dogo-jima and cycle across the heart of the island.

We ride the spectacular north and east coasts of Dogo Island. We’ll ride up to a scenic lookout point and cycle through forests, fishing ports, and farmlands. In the afternoon we board a ferry back to the mainland, spending the night in Sakaiminato City.

We ride to the historic city of Matsue by following a nature-rich coastal route, dipping up and down between scenic headlands and bays. Along the way we’ll visit a stunning shinto shrine, a lighthouse and ,once in Matsue, we’ll tour the city’s mighty feudal-era castle.

Based out of Matsue, we’ve got a fun loop through forested hills and flat farmlands. The highlight of the ride is a visit to the immaculate zen gardens of the Adachi Museum of Art. The afternoon is free to explore and relax in Matsue where we spend a second night.

We cycle east from Matsue to Izumo, riding along undulating rural roads that skirt along a lake and two rivers. Our cycling tour ends at Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s most important Shinto Shrines, where we board a train into Izuomo city where to spend the final night.

Departure from Izumo. Head home or continue your travels in Japan.