Onomichi Trip Overview
The shimanami kaido is the most famous bicycle touring area in Japan,Have 80km cycling route across the Seto inland sea,
Best a road is organized for cycling, the convenient rental bike service.
The Shimanami Kaido is the most famous cycling touring place in Japan. It consists of 6 islands and 6 bridges from Imabari city to Onomichi city across the Seto inland sea. “Shimanami” means “range of islands (like a range of mountains)” and “Kaido” means “seaside rode”, so it is good expression of the feature of this place.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 to 10 hours
Starts: Onomichi, Japan
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Nature & Wildlife
Explore Onomichi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Onomichi, Hiroshima, Japan
The shimanami kaido is the most famous bicycle touring area in Japan,Have 80km cycling route across the Seto inland sea,
Best a road is organized for cycling, the convenient rental bike service.
The Shimanami Kaido is the most famous cycling touring place in Japan. It consists of 6 islands and 6 bridges from Imabari city to Onomichi city across the Seto inland sea. “Shimanami” means “range of islands (like a range of mountains)” and “Kaido” means “seaside rode”, so it is good expression of the feature of this place.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Onomichi, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Chugoku
One of the most unique attractions of Onomichi is the Shimanami Kaido. The route, which passes across bridges and islands of the Seto Inland Sea, is the only land connection between Japan’s main island of Honshu and Shikoku that is traversable by cyclists and pedestrians. Along the way there are two particular attractions of interest to visitors: the Hirayama Museum and the unique Kosanji Temple.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mukaishima, 1-15-1 Kubo, Onomichi 722-0045 Hiroshima Prefecture
The first island is Mukaijima, though it is recommended that you take the short ferry across the channel as the first bridge is quite a way out of town, has no dedicated bike lane, and involves quite a climb to reach.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ikuchi Island, Onomichi, Hiroshima, Japan
The next island, Ikuchijima is reached by the Ikuchi Bridge on which bikes and pedestrians have their own section of the bridge with only a waist height steel fence which allows for great views.
This is part of the uniqueness of this bike route because the bridges are quite high so you get unusual views looking down on the surrounding landscape. You can easily spend half a day on Ikuchijima as it is home to several places worth a visit including the fantastic complex of attractions at Kosanji, possibly the most unique temple in Japan.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Oyamazumi Shrine, 3327 Ōmishimachō Miyaura, Imabari, Ehime 794-1393, Japan
Oyamasumi Shrine, which is set in an ancient forest, has the best collection of historical samurai armour and weaponry in all of Japan.
From the north of Ikuchijima a short ferry ride takes you to the tiny island of Okunoshima – a place with a troubled history that is now populated by thousands of rabbits.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Hakata-jima, Hakata-jima, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku
These first four islands are all part of Onomichi City in Hiroshima, but the next two are part of Imabari in Ehime on Shikoku. A relatively short ridge connects to Hakatajima, and like Omishima the cycle route passes just along a short part of its coast.
Off the cycle route there are parks and beaches, but the island is mostly known for salt production, so such delicacies as Salt Ramen and Salt Ice Cream can be sampled.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Oshima Island, Kurushima, Imabari 799-2122 Ehime Prefecture
The final island before reaching the mainland of Shikoku is Oshima, “big island”, one of hundreds of islands in Japan having the same name.
Oshima was another base of the Murakami pirates and there is a small museum dedicated to them here. At the southern end of the island a great viewpoint at the top of 300 meter high Mount Kirosan offers panoramic views and there are two places where short scenic boat trips can be taken.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, Oshima-Shikoku, Imabari Ehime Prefecture
The final bridge over to Shikoku, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, is perhaps the most impressive, at over six kilometers in length, including the long approaches for bikes, it is actually three connected suspension bridges, the first of its kind in the world, and the views are stupendous.
Duration: 1 hour
