Enjoy the beauty of Japan's proud "Shimanami Kaido" archipelago! Cycling route anatomy

• Table of contents
• Traveling along Japan's scenic cycling route, the Shimanami Kaido
• Tour the beauty of Shimanami's archipelago on an E-bike
• Adventure along the Shimanami Kaido on an E-bike and enjoy the beauty of Japan's proud archipelago!

Traveling along Japan's scenic cycling route, the Shimanami Kaido

6 Hour Private E-bike Tour

One of the charms of cycling on the Shimanami Kaido is the interaction with the locals who warmly welcome tourists!

This happened when I was searching for my next destination on my cell phone while driving on the Shimanami Kaido. The driver of the light truck seemed to be lost, so he showed me the way. He smiled, pointed me in the right direction, and gave me some fresh mandarin oranges from his orchard.

These small touches were an unforgettable highlight of Japan's laid-back island life and cycling experience. When you have friendly locals and delicious fruit, Google Maps will be of no use to you!

"Shimanami Kaido" is a road that connects six islands in the Seto Inland Sea. A popular route for cyclists is the approximately 60km cycling course from Onomichi City on Honshu Island to Imabari City on Shikoku Island. Along the way, there are spectacular views of the archipelago and charming towns.

My trip started from Omishima Island in Ehime Prefecture. Then, cross the Tatara Ohashi Bridge, one of the symbolic bridges of the Shimanami Kaido, and head to the neighboring Ikuchijima Island. We headed to a quaint town called Setoda Town.

As you cycle along the scenic Shimanami Kaido, you'll pass through lush citrus fields, cross majestic white bridges, refuel at cozy family-run restaurants, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals. I was surrounded by a warm welcome.

We will introduce a route that allows you to fully enjoy the "Shimanami Kaido", which is filled with such charms in one day!

Tour the beauty of Shimanami's archipelago on an E-bike

There are bicycle rental shops all over the Shimanami Kaido.

Some tourists spend several days covering the entire Shimanami Kaido while staying at accommodations for cyclists, while others, like me, start somewhere along the way and take a day trip back to the starting point.

This time, I started my trip at Kamiura Rental Bicycle, located at one end of Tatara Ohashi Bridge. This is the second longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. There are popular scenic spots at the foot of the bridge and near the bicycle rental shop, where many cyclists take pictures.

At the bike rental shop, you can choose between cross bikes, street bikes, and two-seater bikes.

Also, if you choose an electric E-bike, you can feel as if you are flying. Thanks to this, we were able to enjoy the quiet beauty of the island while riding along the dedicated bicycle path.

We started cycling and headed to the nearby Tatara Ohashi Bridge.

Once you ride this bridge, you will understand why the Shimanami Kaido has become a world-famous sacred place for cyclists.

Crossing the bridge while riding your bike through the wind gives you a sense of freedom that you can't get by car. There are also dedicated lanes for cyclists, so you can enjoy cycling safely.

Tatara Ohashi Bridge marks the prefectural border between Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures. When you come here, you will have the unique experience of stepping into two prefectures at the same time!

From the bridge, you can watch the boats gracefully passing by the small islands in the inland sea.

The blue sky and white clouds spread out in front of you, making you feel like you're riding your bike on a bridge in the sky!

Visit Ikuchi Island's lemon groves, contemporary art, and beaches

After crossing the bridge, we arrived at Ikuchijima Island, which is famous for producing lemons.

Here, you are first greeted by a lemon field called ``Lemon Valley'' and chairs decorated with bright yellow lemons. There is a giant lemon statue and you can take pictures with it. This is a great photo spot, so be prepared to take lots of photos!

Tatara Ohashi Bridge can be seen in the distance. Here you can take a photo to commemorate crossing the first bridge on the Shimanami Kaido.

There are limited places to rest and eat along the coastal route to our next destination, Setoda Town.

If you want to take a break, stop by Setoda Sunset Beach Campground . You can take a breather, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the spectacular views of the beach. It's the perfect place to rest your feet on the sand before continuing your journey.

While riding along the cycling road along the coast, you can come across contemporary art representative of the Shimanami area.

The Setouchi area is also known as the venue for the Setouchi International Art Festival, an international contemporary art festival held once every three years on the islands and coastal areas of the Seto Inland Sea.

What particularly impressed me was the sight of Aiko Miyawaki's metal wire sculptures from the ``Utsurohi'' series and Susumu Shingu's ``Wings of Waves'' swaying gracefully in the wind.

It's easy to see how the seascape of the Shimanami Kaido provides great inspiration to artists!

Lunch break in Setoda-cho, a small town on the island

After cycling in the morning, I took a leisurely break in Setoda Town.

There are small cafes, stylish bars, and souvenir shops, making it the perfect place to take a break while eating delicious food.

While touring around Setoda Town, the most impressive thing was the 140-year-old Azumi Setoda.

This building was once owned by salt merchants and has now been transformed into modern accommodation.

"Azumi Setoda" is also the starting point of "Shiomachi Shopping Street". This shopping street is full of cafes and shops offering a variety of locally produced products, including souvenirs made with the famous Setoda lemons.

For lunch, we stopped at a small shop that serves Hiroshima's famous okonomiyaki .

Okonomiyaki is a dish made from wheat flour dough stuffed with cabbage, seafood, and noodles, then cooked on a hot iron plate to make it crispy. Grill it on a griddle until it sizzles, then season it with mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce. It was the perfect way to fill up your stomach before heading home.

On this trip, I didn't have enough time to explore Setoda Town.

There are many attractions in Setoda Town, such as Kosanji Temple, which is modeled after a famous Japanese temple, and Miraishin no Oka, a pure white garden made from marble mined in Italy!

When visiting Setoda Town, we recommend setting aside some time in advance to explore these fascinating sights!

Accommodations along the Shimanami Kaido

The Shimanami Kaido is packed with charms that cannot be experienced in one day. As a result, the number of cyclists who enjoy overnight stays is increasing.

If you are looking for accommodation for cyclists, we recommend WAKKA near Kamiura Rental Cycles. This is a new accommodation facility that attracts many tourists from overseas.

WAKKA

6691-1 Iguchi, Kamiura-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime 794-1402

WAKKA, located on Omishima Island overlooking the Tatara Bridge, has comfortable cottages, perfect for cyclists looking to relieve the fatigue of their travels.

Spectacular ocean views can be enjoyed from the spacious living room and restaurant. Additionally, a variety of activities are available, including cruises to Setoda Town, fishing, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding.

To end your day, we recommend booking a delicious barbecue and enjoying it under the stars!

Adventure along the Shimanami Kaido on an E-bike and enjoy the beauty of Japan's proud archipelago!

Riding an e-bike across the bridges that connect the Shimanami Kaido is a unique experience that will appeal to nature lovers, cycling enthusiasts, and those interested in island life.

I don't usually ride bicycles very often, but the E-bike was very helpful because I could accelerate quickly with just one pedal stroke.

The Shimanami Kaido is a cycling route that can be enjoyed by a variety of people, including professional cyclists and those who want to enjoy the scenery and art at their own pace.

I hope that my recommendations this time have piqued your interest in cycling on the Shimanami Kaido! Please try finding ways to enjoy the Shimanami Kaido while cycling!

Click here to apply for the E-bike Tour!

Author: Mika
Writer and creator from Canada and living in Japan. Since 2020, we have been working to introduce Japan's hidden charms and wonderful tourist spots through articles, photos, and videos. When I'm not working, I can be found gardening or dreaming about my next hot spring trip.