Shimanami Kaido

(Source : shutterstock)

Shimanami Kaido is a road of approximately 70 kilometers in length and runs between Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture on the country’s mainland and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture of Shikoku Island, connecting six smaller islands in between. There are seven bridges along the way, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of Seto Inland Sea. It is also famous as Japan’s first cycling lane which crosses over a channel. In Japan, it is only through Shimanami Kaido that you can bike across the ocean wrapped in a pleasant sea breeze. Bike rentals are available at numerous locations along the way. Enjoy your ride!

(Source: marucyan / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Recommended course for cyclists (from Onomichi to Imabari)

Cyclists anxious to enjoy Shimanami Kaido to the max can spend a day or two traveling approximately 70 kilometers from Onomichi to Imabari. You take a ferry at the Port of Onomichi to Mukaishima Island, the first of the six islands you will be passing through, and ride on to Innoshima Island, Ikuchijima Island, Omishima Island, Hakatajima Island, and Oshima Island before you arrive at the final destination of Imabari. There is an abundance of sightseeing spots along the way, including Innoshima Suigun (Navy) Castle on Innoshima Island and Kirosan Observation Park on Oshima Island. This course will take an avid cyclist approximately 5 hours and a novice 10 hours.

(Source: あしたの続き)

Recommended course for cyclists (from Imabari to Oshima)

For novice cyclists, we recommend an hour-long round trip from Imabari to Oshima, 14 kilometers in total. Immediately after crossing the 4-km-long Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, you will see “Michi no Eki Yoshiumi Iki-iki-kan,” in which you can enjoy grilled seafood and a view of a port at the same time. There are many other fun and enticing spots along the way, including a rose garden called “Yoshiumi Rose Kan” on Oshima Island and an interactive ship which allows you to experience the tidal current of Seto Inland Sea.

(Source: KPG_Payless/shutterstock)

Tatara Bridge

Tatara Bridge, which connects Ikuchijima Island and Omishima Island, is one the famous bridges along the Shimanami Kaido. It is Japan’s longest concrete cable-stayed bridge of 1,480 meters in length. This bridge is also known for an unusual phenomenon called “crying dragon.” On the lane for cyclists and walkers stand girders. Try making a huge sound at the foot of it. You will hear the “crying dragon,” a reflected sound coming down from the top of the girder.

(Source: 瀬戸田＠瀬戸田の景色)

Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge

Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, connecting Imabari and Oshima Island, was built in 1999 as the world’s first triple suspension bridge. The bridge is illuminated during the night and offers a stunning view with Seto Inland Sea in the background, seen either from Itoyama Park’s Observation Building on Imabari side or Kirosan Observation Park on Oshima Island side.

(Source: 自然の中で～Ⅱ)

Bicycle rentals

Along Shimanami Kaido between Onomichi and Imabari, there are 12 bicycle rental service terminals, where you can rent a regular bicycle or an electric one with a daily fee beginning at 1,000 yen for an adult. Giant, a company which makes bicycles, rents their latest athletic models at two locations, Onomichi and Imabari.