What is the Konpira Gokaido?

Kotohira-gu Shrine, widely loved and affectionately known as "Konpira-san."
As the guardian deity of safe sea travel, Konpira-san drew pilgrims from across Japan throughout the Edo period. Its popularity rivaled that of the Ise Grand Shrine, and it was said to be a place everyone hoped to visit "at least once in a lifetime." Among the highways built for travelers of that era, the most heavily used of all were the "Konpira Gokaido" (the Konpira Five Highways).

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＜Course Supervision＞Kazuyuki Manabe (ciclo-vita) Profile

Born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1970. Represented Japan at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, with numerous achievements abroad. A member of MATRIX POWERTAG since 2010. He now runs his own shop, "ciclo-vita," in Kanonji City, Kagawa, while also producing cycling events and more.
Official blog：ciclo vita サドルの上からこんにちは

Ride the New Konpira Gokaido by bike!

Modeled on those historic five highways, the "New Konpira Gokaido" has been reborn as a set of cycling courses.
Centered on Kotohira, we developed four routes tailored to every rider's level:the Iyo-Tosa Highway route, which connects to Ehime and the Shimanami Kaido,the Awa Highway route, which includes a mountain pass from Tokushima,the Takamatsu Highway route, once used by the feudal lord on his pilgrimages,and the Marugame-Tadotsu route, which welcomed pilgrims arriving by sea.
The courses were supervised by Kazuyuki Manabe, a Kagawa-born former Olympian.
From complete beginners to serious cyclists, there is a course for everyone.
Use this map as your guide and enjoy a cycling-style Konpira-san pilgrimage ♪

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  Great for group rides too ♪
  National Road Cruising Course

  Instead of National Route 11 and the Hama Highway that are standard on the Shikoku loop, this two-day, one-night course rides from Ehime to Kagawa along the quieter National Route 32, together with former All-Japan champion Junya Sano.

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  Conquer a 413m pass!
  Easy-Going E-BIKE Course

  From Tokushima, cross Inohana Pass to reach Kotohira and head for the port town of Tadotsu. It is a fun course on a road bike, but rent an E-BIKE and even those who don't usually exercise can climb the slopes with ease while enjoying beautiful scenery and a real sense of achievement.

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  Aim for the cyclists' sacred ground
  The Classic Course

  The reverse of Course 1, but with many old roads — ideal for those who want to ride slowly without worrying about traffic. Enjoy a relaxed ride with plenty of stops along the way.

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  Soak up the old townscape
  Beginner-Friendly Day Trip

  A one-day course from Kotohira through Marugame and Tadotsu. Mostly narrow old roads, so it is recommended for small-wheel bikes, E-BIKEs, and road-bike beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not confident in my fitness — can I really make it?

With an E-BIKE, even people who don't usually exercise or aren't confident in their fitness can enjoy cycling with ease. Depending on the course, you can also ride out by bike and return by train.

What should I watch out for while cycling?

Frequent hydration, sweat care, and sunscreen are a must!

Can I rent a bicycle?

Of course ♪ We also introduce shops and rental-cycle facilities where you can rent bikes, helmets, and other essentials.

• Shimanami Rental Cycle (Sunrise Itoyama)
  A complex facility well known among cyclists. With lodging available, it makes an ideal base for a Shikoku cycling trip.
  2-8-1 Sunaba-cho, Imabari City, Ehime
  TEL: 0848-22-3911 (rental cycle)　　Hours: 8:00–22:00　　Closed: none
• ciclo-vita
  A cycle shop run by Kazuyuki Manabe, a former Olympic representative. Leave any bicycle-related question to him.
  1575-1 Hondai-cho, Kanonji City, Kagawa
  TEL: 0875-24-8990　　Hours: 11:00–20:00　　Closed: Wednesdays

I'm going with a friend (or family), but we booked separately — what happens?

Depending on the number of applicants, we may divide everyone into teams. Please book as a group whenever possible. If you do happen to book separately, contactcycling@kotobus.comand we will do our best to accommodate you.

What should I wear?

You don't need special cycling wear! It's best to avoid loose tops that catch the wind, as well as skirts or wide-legged trousers that can get caught in the chain. Choose easy-to-move-in shoes such as sneakers, and always wear a helmet ♪