Cycling Shikoku: Coastal Roads, Mountains & Remote Routes

Cycling in Shikoku

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Shikoku is one of Japan’s most rewarding regions for bicycle touring. Compared to the dense urban corridors of Honshu, the island feels quieter, slower, and far more rural. Mountain roads cut through deep valleys, fishing villages line dramatic coastlines, and long stretches of road pass through areas where convenience stores and traffic lights become surprisingly rare.

For touring cyclists, Shikoku offers a mix that is increasingly difficult to find elsewhere in Japan: scenic roads with relatively low traffic, affordable accommodation, easy access by ferry or train, and a strong sense of regional identity. While the island is internationally known for the 88 Temple Pilgrimage, many of its best cycling routes have little to do with temples at all. Riders come instead for the remote capes, forested river valleys, and rugged Pacific coastline. Many riders also do a complete loop of Shikoku at over 1000kms.

The geography of Shikoku shapes nearly every ride. The island’s mountainous interior means that flatter routes are mostly found along the coastlines and major river systems, while inland routes often involve long climbs, steep gradients, and isolated mountain passes. Weather also plays a major role. Summers can be extremely hot and humid, while typhoons can signficantly impact a cycling tour and Shikoku gets them fairly often with the peak being August and September. Late spring through June is the best time to visit Shikoku as the temperatures will be nice, even in the high passes and there is little threat of typhoons. If not going to the high passes, autumn is also good time to visit for good weather along the coats

Cape Ashizuri itself marks the southernmost point of Shikoku and is one of the island’s classic touring destinations. The approach involves a series of rolling coastal roads and climbs with expansive Pacific Ocean views. The cape feels genuinely remote, particularly outside holiday periods. Small fishing ports, rugged cliffs, and subtropical vegetation give the area a very different atmosphere from central Japan. The roads around Ashizuri can be physically demanding, but the scenery rewards the effort.

Further east, Cape Muroto offers another iconic coastal ride. Compared to the gentler scenery around the Seto Inland Sea, Muroto feels wild and exposed to the Pacific. Waves crash directly against rocky shorelines, and strong winds are common. The route around the cape is part of National Route 55, which alternates between scenic ocean stretches and small towns. It is not always peaceful riding — traffic can be moderate in places — but the scale of the coastline and the feeling of remoteness make it memorable. Many cyclists combine Muroto with a larger loop around the island or use it as part of a route connecting Tokushima and Kochi.

Despite its reputation among touring cyclists, Shikoku is not always an easy place to ride. Services can be sparse in remote areas, public transportation becomes limited away from the major cities, and some roads are rougher than their maps suggest. Climbs can also be relentless, particularly on older mountain routes that predate modern tunnels.

That said, the island’s imperfections are also part of its appeal. Shikoku rewards riders who are comfortable with longer distances, changing weather, and occasionally difficult terrain. The scenery often feels more authentic and less curated than many of Japan’s better-known cycling destinations. Rather than a single famous route, Shikoku offers a network of connected touring possibilities: mountain valleys, remote capes, coastal fishing towns, forest roads, and long riverside stretches that can be combined into rides lasting anywhere from a weekend to several weeks.

Below you can find detailed guides to cycling routes throughout Shikoku, including coastal tours, mountain traverses, river routes, and lesser-known backroads across all four prefectures.

Routes in Shikoku