Guided Shodoshima Tour | 3-Day Pilgrimage, Sake & Hiking

Booking Overview Highlights Includes/Excludes Cancellation Faqs Services Reviews

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Overview

Duration:3 days 2 nights
Travelers:2 - 4 guests
Tour Type:Package tour, Private tour
Language:English, French, Japanese

Shodoshima is one of the Seto Inland Sea's most peaceful and rewarding islands — and this guided 3-day tour is the best way to experience it properly.
Unlike generic sightseeing trips, this guided Shodoshima tour takes you deep into the island's spiritual and cultural heart. You'll walk a section of the sacred Ohenro pilgrimage route, visiting temples 68 to 72 along quiet mountain paths with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide by your side. You'll taste locally brewed sake at Morikuni Brewery, ride the Kankakei Ropeway to stunning gorge views, and hike back down through one of Japan's most celebrated natural landscapes.
Nights are spent at Ryokan Mari Umioto, a traditional seaside Japanese inn where multi-course dinners and tatami rooms give you an authentic taste of island life — far from the busy tourist trail.
This tour is ideal for travelers who want more than a checklist. It's for those who want to slow down, connect with Japan's living traditions, and leave Shodoshima feeling like they truly experienced it.

Guided Tour of Shodoshima - Guided by a local of Shodoshima
Temple Pilgrimage Walk - Walk a 3-4 hour section of the sacred Ohenro route, visiting temples 68-72 with your guide explaining the history and meaning
Traditional Ryokan Stay - Sleep and eat at Ryokan Mari Umioto, a seaside Japanese inn with dinner included both nights
Sake Brewery Visit - Tour Morikuni Sake Brewery and taste their local sake while learning how it's made
Kankakei Ropeway & Hike - Ride the ropeway up to amazing mountain views, then hike back down through the beautiful gorge
Island Life Experience - Slow down and experience Shodoshima's peaceful rhythm away from the busy tourist spots

Includes/Excludes

Two nights hotel accommodation at Shimayado Mari
A. Breakfast and dinner are included.
B. Based on the chef's schedule, sometimes we arrange one dinner out of the hotel.
C. Japanese style rooms for 2 pax in one room.
Transportation by private taxi as mentioned in the itinerary.
Meals as following.
A. 2 Breakfasts
B. 2 Dinners
English speaking guide for daily tours (3 days) .
Taxi transfer from Tonosho - Mari on day 01, kankekei - Tonosho on day 03.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Ryokan Experience

Arrival Time - Arrive at Tonosho Port, Shodoshima
A pre-booked taxi will pick you up from the port to start this guided Shodoshima Tour.

Transfer to Ryokan
The taxi will take you to Umioto Mari Shodoshima, your traditional Japanese inn for the next two nights.

Check-in & Free Time
Settle into your room and relax. You can explore the inn's facilities, take a walk around the area, or enjoy the peaceful seaside setting.

Evening - Dinner at Ryokan
Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner at the inn. Expect seasonal local dishes served in multiple courses.

Overnight: Ryokan Mari or similar

Day 2: Ohenro Pilgrimage Walk & Sake Brewery

Morning - Guide Travels to Shodoshima
Your guide will take the ferry from Takamatsu to Shodoshima (Ikeda port), arriving around 10:30 AM.
Ferry: 9:30 - 10:30

11:00 - Meet Your Guide at Hotel Lobby
Your guide will meet you and explain the day's pilgrimage route.

11:00 - 12:00 - Taxi to Local Restaurant
Transfer to a restaurant inside Shodoshima for lunch.

12:00 - 13:00 - Lunch
Enjoy lunch arranged by your guide. The restaurant serves local Shodoshima dishes.

13:00 - 15:00 - Ohenro Pilgrimage Walk (3-4 hours)
Walk part of the sacred 88-temple pilgrimage route that circles Shodoshima. You'll visit temples 68 through 72, walking along mountain paths and through quiet villages. Your guide will explain the history of the pilgrimage, the meaning behind the rituals, and the stories of each temple. Some portions will be covered by taxi to manage the distance. The walk includes:

Mountain forest paths with peaceful surroundings
Small temple buildings where pilgrims pray and leave offerings
Stone markers and statues along the ancient route
Views of the island and sea from higher elevations

15:00 - Finish at Nakayama
Complete your walk at Nakayama area.

15:00 - 15:30 - Transfer to Morikuni Sake Brewery
Short taxi ride to the brewery.

15:30 - 16:00 - Morikuni Sake Brewery Visit
Tour this traditional sake brewery and learn how they make sake using local ingredients. The visit includes tasting several types of their sake. You'll see the brewing equipment and learn about the fermentation process.

16:00 - Return to Ryokan Mari
Taxi takes you back to your inn for the evening.

Evening - Dinner at Ryokan
Another traditional Japanese dinner at the inn.

Overnight: Ryokan Mari or similar

Day 3: Kankakei Gorge Ropeway & Hiking

10:00 - Meet Guide at Hotel
Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby.

10:00 - 10:30 - Taxi to Kankakei Ropeway
Transfer to the ropeway station.

10:30 - 11:00 - Kankakei Ropeway Ride
Take the ropeway up to the top of Kankakei Gorge. During the 5-minute ride, you'll have views over the gorge's dramatic rock formations and the island landscape. Kankakei is known as one of Japan's most beautiful gorges, especially stunning during autumn foliage season.

11:00 - 12:40 - Hike Down from Kankakei
Walk down from the mountaintop to the base of the ropeway. The hiking trail takes you through the gorge with: