The Setouchi-Shimanami Yumeshima-Kaido Cycling Event 2017

The Setouchi-Shimanami Yumeshima-Kaido Cycling Event 2017

The season of cherry blossoms might have waned, but the Setouchi-Shimanami Yumeshima-Kaido Cycling Event continues on into its 2017 edition. Taking place from 24 to 30 November 2017, the 7-day 4-night event will take the avid road cyclist around the beautiful cities of Japan for a low-cost sum of $2348.

The Shimanami Kaido

The West Seto Expressway, also known as the Shimanami Kaido connects Ehime and Hiroshima. It is Japan’s maiden cycling road across the strait in the Seto Inland Sea. Post cherry blossom season, you can still enjoy the ravishing scenery replete with distant gray hills and the ever-glittering Seto Inland Sea while cycling across the Expressway.

 

The Itinerary 

Participants will assemble at Changi Airport on the midnight of 25^th November, Friday. The plane – JL038 – departs from Terminal One at 2.05am. It will wing its way to Haneda Airport and touchdown at 9.40am after a 7-hour ride. You will then transfer to flight JL435 at 12.35pm and touch down at Matsuyama Airport at 2.05pm.

Post check-in at the hotel, you’ll proceed on to visit the bike rental shop Giant Store Imabari for the rental of your bikes to begin the 50km Imabari Course on the Shimanami Kaido the next day. How cool that your hotel suite permits the parking of your bike inside!

 

The Imabari Course @ 50km

26^th November (as predicted by the psychic who wrote this) will dawn sunny and clear. If you’re not an early-riser, you’ll need to get up before 6am to have breakfast, then cycle from your hotel to the starting point of the event called “Sunrise Itoyama”. True to its name, registration begins at 7am. The Imabari Course spans 50km and will take you on the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, past the Yoshiumi Rose Garden then the Hakata SC Parking Area. The procession will then reroute back to Sunrise Itoyama by 4.30pm.

27^th Nov. In case you’ve lost track of time, this particular Monday begins with sightseeing. Breakfast @ hotel restaurant, then off you go to the Ritsurin Garden (Ritsurin Koen), a landscape garden in Takamatsu City. It is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens of Japan (alongside Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen, Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen – all tongue-twisting names). Savor the ravishes of Nature, the quiet thrill away from hectic city life; then off you go for some Udon-making lessons. Lunch will see you savoring (or retching on) the udon you made. Okay, I jest.

Lunch will be held at a local restaurant, Udon Gozen; thereafter which, have an appetizer with the beautiful vast aquamarine sights around the Great Naruto Bridge (a large suspension bridge stretching the Naruto Strait and connecting Awaji City in Hyogo to Naruto Town in Naruto City, Tokushima prefecture. Never mind the names).

 

Japan’s Suspension Bridge with the Longest Span

As if one bridge isn’t enough, be prepared to have your breath stolen away by another equally massive bridge, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. At almost 4km long, it is a suspension bridge with the world’s longest span (beat that, New York!). After going like a calm maniac down the Akashi Kaikyo, the eversoft bed of your hotel awaits. You’ll transfer to a hotel at Osaka, and walk to the dinner venue with a free flow of Shabu-shabu to reward your patience (and awe) at the long day. Stroll back to the hotel

into the next day, 28^th Nov. The cherry blossoms might have faded, yet another day stretches ahead: you’ll visit the Shimano Bicycle Museum. There, fill yourself in on the history of classic bicycles and try your hand at a replica of a classic bike. The day ends with a visit to the Shimano Square for some dinner and free leisure time to spend as you will.

29^th Nov. Hopefully you’ve had your fill of Japan’s sights, road biking across the Shimanami Kaido, and feasted your eyes on various aspects of (bike) culture in Japan. You’ll check out of your hotel at 11am, travel to Itami Airport for the flight to Haneda Airport (JL138) and transit on the return flight back to Singapore (JL035).

By the 30^th, you’ll expect to touch the shores of Singapore. Home sweet home!

 

To sign up, contact: JTB Travel Saloon

Located in: Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City
Address: 391 Orchard Rd, 03-11C, Singapore 238872

Opening Hours:
10:30AM–8PM (Mon to Sat)
10:30AM – 7PM (Sun & PH)