Sep 27 → Oct 8, 2025 • 12 days

Kansai ✕ Shimanami Kaidō Cycling Trip

Osaka → Kyoto → Onomichi → Setoda → Imabari → Matsuyama → Osaka. Handy links to each accommodation, neighborhood notes, and ride day resources.

SKS = Shinkansen (bullet train) KIX = Kansai Int'l Airport Save offline for subway & station names
Osaka city view
Osaka
Kyoto temple architecture
Kyoto
Onomichi
Onomichi area
Cycling in Japan with bridge views
Shimanami Kaidō cycling
Castle architecture
Imabari Castle area
Traditional Japanese castle
Matsuyama area • Unsplash

Oliver's extra notes

Book acupuncture, book haircut in osaka
Get Luca a train in Japan
Inity Osaka, hair salon
Rikuro ojisan no mise uncle tetsu cheesecake
Aomori hiba cutting board
United arrows
Stores like 109: OPA, HEP5 umeda, EST

Fri, Sep 27 — Departure Day (YYZ → KIX)

Air Canada AC59 • Depart Toronto 13:15 • 14h 10m flight

Flight AC59 - Live Tracking

Air Canada AC 59
LIVE
YYZ
Toronto Pearson
Terminal 1
✈️
KIX
Kansai International
Terminal 1
Departure
13:15
Gate: TBD
Arrival
16:25+1
Gate: TBD
Scheduled • Boeing 787-9 • 14h 10m
Last updated: --

Pre-Flight

Arrive at YYZ Terminal 1 by 11:00 for international departure. Check-in online 24h prior. Consider lounge access for departure delay comfort.

→ Real-time flight tracking

Sun, Sep 28 — Arrival (KIX → Osaka Umeda)

Land KIX 16:25 • Train to Umeda / Osaka Station area

AM

In the air ✈️

PM

Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX), then take JR or Nankai to central Osaka (Umeda/Namba). Drop bags and stretch the legs in the station city.

Accommodation

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda Eki Tower exterior
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda Eki Tower

High-rise APA minutes from Osaka Station; sky spa & on-site conveniences.

Mon, Sep 29 — Osaka morning → Kyoto night

~30 min on Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka ⇄ Kyoto) or ~45 min local

AM

Hang out in Osaka: coffee in Umeda, Osaka Station City views, or a stroll to Kita/Umeda shops.

Lunchtime with Teng and Mao and Toma! 👶

PM

Head to Kyoto; check in around Gojo (central, one stop south of Shijo/Karasuma). Dinner in Kyoto.

Accommodation

Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto Gojo
Vessel Hotel Campana Kyoto Gojo

Modern rooms, public bath, easy subway access at Gojo (K09).

Tue, Sep 30 — Kyoto breakfast → Onomichi

~1.5h on Sanyō Shinkansen via Fukuyama to Onomichi

AM

Breakfast in Kyoto; last stroll through historic lanes.

PM

Train to Onomichi. Rest up before Shimanami ride days. Explore temple-lined slopes or the seafront promenade.

Accommodation

Hotel Beacon Onomichi
HOTEL BEACON ONOMICHI

Boutique hotel inside Onomichi Station (2F) — perfect for an early start.

Wed, Oct 1 — Ride Day 1: Onomichi → Setoda

Shimanami Kaidō cycling • ~30–40 km depending on route

AM

Ride Shimanami (Leg 1): Onomichi → Ikuchijima (Setoda). Route & tips: Visit Shimanami Day 1.

PM

Settle into Setoda; beach, citrus groves, and relaxed island vibes. Area guide: Setoda highlights.

Accommodation

Ryori Ryokan Fujimien, Omishima
Ryōri Ryokan Fujimien (Omishima)

Classic inn on Ōmishima (near Setoda). Renowned seafood kaiseki; cyclist-friendly.

Thu, Oct 2 — Ride Day 2: Setoda → Imabari

Shimanami Kaidō cycling • Bridges & coastal scenery

AM

Continue Shimanami (Leg 2): Ikuchijima → Ōshima → Imabari. Celebrate with Imabari yakitori or a soak.

PM

Rest and recover in Imabari. Stroll to the castle park or towel shops (Imabari towels!).

Accommodation

Shimanami PRIME HOTEL Imabari
Shimanami PRIME HOTEL Imabari

Opened 2024 • Rooftop public bath & sauna with views of Shimanami; 5 min to Imabari Station.

Fri, Oct 3 — Imabari & Matsuyama

~30 min by Ltd. Exp./JR to Matsuyama • Visit Matsuyama Castle

AM

Imabari brunch; optional visit to Imabari Castle.

PM

Head to Matsuyama. Ride the ropeway to Matsuyama Castle, then wander Dōgo Onsen area.

Accommodation

KKR Dogo Yuduki ryokan
KKR Dogo Yuduki (Ryokan)

Tranquil ryokan near Dōgo Park; large baths & open-air rotenburo fed by Dōgo hot spring.

Sat, Oct 4 — To Osaka (Namba/Shinsaibashi) + Dinner at Point in the Intercontinental Osaka

Limited Express/IC to Okayama → Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka → subway to Namba

AM

Transfer back to Osaka. Check in near Shinsaibashi for food and shopping.

PM

Explore Minami (Namba/Shinsaibashi) and sample local street food: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu.

Evening

19:00 - Dinner at Pierre (Intercontinental Osaka) - 7 course menu. Fine dining experience in one of Osaka's premier restaurants.

Accommodation

APA Hotel Nambakita Shinsaibashi Ekimae
APA Hotel Nambakita Shinsaibashi Ekimae

Compact, convenient base steps from Shinsaibashi/Nagahoribashi stations.

Mon, Oct 6 — Osaka: wander

Side streets, kissaten, and riverside promenades

AM

Coffee crawl (kissaten + modern roasters) around Horie/Semba.

PM

Random street wandering; sunset on Ebisubashi or the Dōtonbori canal.

Tue, Oct 7 — Osaka: open slot + dinner at Point

Consider teamLab Osaka. Fine dining dinner reservation at Point in Toyonaka.

AM

Options: teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka (night) or Nara deer park.

PM

Food tour through Dōtonbori and Shinsaibashi. Light lunch recommended due to dinner reservation.

Evening

Dinner at Point - 19:00 reservation for 2 people under Shimizu Mao. Premium French cuisine (¥20,000/person). Located in Toyonaka - allow 30-45 minutes travel time from central Osaka.

Accommodation

Stay: APA Hotel Nambakita Shinsaibashi Ekimae.

Notes

• Plan lighter daytime activities due to evening fine dining
• Consider afternoon rest before dinner
• Travel to Toyonaka: Namba → Toyonaka via Hankyu line (approx. 30 min)
• Dress code likely required for Point restaurant

Wed, Oct 8 — Depart Osaka (KIX 18:05)

Train to KIX (allow ~1 h from Namba; pad extra for security/immigration)

AM

Last-minute snacks & souvenirs. Pack smart for airport security.

PM

Head to KIX for 18:05 departure.

Accommodation

Check out of APA Hotel Nambakita Shinsaibashi Ekimae.