Shikoku, Japan’s last frontier

We were a family group of two couples, following the "Unique Accommodation of Shikoku" itinerary, customized for our needs. The accommodations were unique as promised; several on a very small scale where we could connect to the proprietors who were uniformly enthusiastic hosts. All (or most) meals were included, and we were treated generously to regional specialties. My vegetarian requests were fulfilled with delicious options.

We were able to get e-bikes to make a morning on the Shimanami Kaido bike path, a delight on our first day. We spent two nights in the Iya valley in a renovated farmhouse with a large hearth where we gathered for food and fun with the proprietor's family. Schedule changes forced by weather were as much fun as the original plans, including a river boat ride, and visit to a traditional indigo factory. Our driver spoke English and answered a million questions.

We added an extra, the geisha dinner for the night before our trip started, and were blown away with how much fun we had. Our "geiko" was the consummate hostess, and we even got to try out the musical instruments (we are musicians). We left exhilarated; it was the perfect start to our adventure. Shikoku Tours really delivered the goods, and I recommend it highly.

Shinsuke, Mari and Kumiko welcomed me in their Kominka during 3 amazing days. This experience appears to me as the highlight of my Japanese trip. We cooked soba and sushi together. They took me to their favorite places in the Iya Valley, where I discovered very peaceful and charming viewpoints. Their traditional home also offers a spectacular view where no one can disturb you apart from the birds. My heartfelt thanks to ShikokuTours who organized this trip with great professionalism and support all along the way!

My wife and I enjoyed cycling the Shimamanai Kaido route, there is enough time to go explore some of the intermediate and advanced
routes. The accommodations were great. We had good communication and support from the company when we had a
misunderstanding about a reservation. Rod was easy to deal with and shared good suggestions we used about places to eat and drink
at and we enjoyed our tour.

This tour is perfect for travelers who want to learn about Japan and do not want to be around tourists. By traveling this lovely island and
experiencing temples, castles, gardens, seashore, mountains without other tourists is wonderful. The tour is perfect for open-minded
travelers who don't mind seeing as many temples as they have time for - each one is different, beautiful, old, and differently located. If
speaking English is important, this is not the tour.

Thanks for arranging such a unique tour.

Rod provided an exceptional tour. He was friendly, informative, flexible, and very easy to work with. He had great suggestions on best sites and best itinerary. We would recommend him without any reservation. Thanks Rod for a great day!

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Shikoku Tours and the interactions with the agent, Rod Walters, and our driver. The trip was customized to meet our desire to visit several of the temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage route and our driver had a lot of knowledge about the places we visited and areas we traveled through. This was a great value for the money spent and we will recommend them to others and use them when we return.

My wife and myself would like to express our thanks and appreciation to you and your team for a well thought out itinerary that gave us a full flavor of Shikoku from all aspects. Key is the varied accommodation that you guys have arranged. It’s was so awe inspiring. My wife favorite is the modern one just inland from shimantoand my favouriteis the one in iyavalley. I will be recommending my friends to you guys for in future.

If it weren't for the tour we would not have been able to navigate the region on our own. Our intent was to do a mini pilgrimage not knowing Tokushima and Takamatsu are urban areas and you need to go a good distance to reach certain temples in the back of beyond. Views in that hill country were spectacular --Tairyuji cable car, the riveting blue of the river, ancient cypresses -- and hair raising. Glad my sister was not driving!

Once the driver understood our serious intent we got tips about special views, proper spots for prayer and an introduction to the priest at our last temple. Our earlier impression was that most pilgrims have little interaction with temple staff much less entry into temple inner spaces. The priest gave us a full tour replete with explanation of Shingon lineage and significance of the small temple.

Yes, it was as they say Sugoi!

Everything went fine. The cloud cover stayed in place in the mountains and the heat was much easier to bear. Climbing to Iwayaji was a bit of a struggle for me but I trudged along patiently. I was surprised by how much I remembered from last year, recalling temple 44 as soon as we approached it on the road. We passed the inn where I stayed last fall.
I want to put in a good word about our driver. He did an excellent job. He was most helpful to us throughout the day in ways I am sure were more than what could be expected. He made things easy and enjoyable. 
And I want to express my gratitude to you. Despite the heat, we enjoyed our day with you very much. And because of you I have been able to visit the pilgrimage temples which is quite important to me. I hope to have the chance to see you again soon.
And so tomorrow we move on the Hiroshima and a baseball game. There's still much to see and do before we return to our everyday lives.
All our best wishes.

If it weren't for the tour we would not have been able to navigate the region on our own. Our intent was to do a mini pilgrimage not knowing
Tokushima and Takamatsu are urban areas and you need to go a good distance to reach certain temples in the back of beyond. Views in
that hill country were spectacular --Tairyuji cable car, the riveting blue of the river, ancient cypresses -- and hair raising. Glad my sister was
not driving!
Once the driver understood our serious intent we got tips about special views, proper spots for prayer and an introduction to the priest at
our last temple. Our earlier impression was that most pilgrims have little interaction with temple staff much less entry into temple inner
spaces. The priest gave us a full tour replete with explanation of Shingon lineage and signi

Safe and sound in Onomichi after returning from Habu by ferry to Imabari and bussing back here. Sal’s rear end was not able to face too much more cycling and by going from Habu we only missed one bridge to the end and about 15 km of the Shimanami Kaido. We thoroughly enjoyed the cycling and the accommodation.
Thank you for your arrangement of this part of our holiday. Going off the beaten track and exploring parts of Shikoku Island was wonderful and the stay at Suminoe Ryokan was a delight. You provided real highlights of our Japanese holiday. 
We propose giving your name to a few friends in Australia that are contemplating Japanese holidays in the near future and hopefully you may be able to assist them plot out a holiday; hopefully without the constraints of Golden Week.
Thanks again for the arrangement and support along the way. 
Cheers, John

It was a very enjoyable trip. My wife and I will surely remember it for many many years. 
The itinerary was carefully drafted, the hotels were nice, the food was delicious and the temples were cherry-picked. 
Our driver Mr Katou is very professional. He is punctual, hardworking and attentive to details. In fact, his English is not bad at all. 
Everything is simply fantastic. 
We have to thank you again, Rod, for giving us such a memorable trip. 
The only criticism is that you sent too many colleagues to receive us at the airport! But thank you anyway.

Mary and I very much enjoyed the sea kayaking today. Our guide was excellent and even swam off to find us some local sea life to look at (including an octopus!).

Our guide had given us a CD with photos on that he took on the trip, once we are back from our holiday next week I'd be glad to look through and share.

Thanks for organising this for us,

Tom

I was a difficult customer: I got in touch with Shikoku Tours just over two weeks before our visit, with a list of demands: the art festival, serious hiking along the Henro and Mt Tsurugi, the 24 Eyes movie village - and all appropriate for my young sons too. Rod rose to the challenge, and spent hours with me crafting our week, providing details down to bus and train times, and unerringly picking interesting, great places for us to stay. Thank you, Rod, for a wonderful week.