The Shimanami Kaido is a scenic cycling route which extends for 70 km between the cities of Onomichi and Imabari. The road connects two of Japan’s main islands, Honshu and Shikoku, as well as six smaller islands which lie in the Seto Inland Sea. This road attracts cyclists from all over the world and thus there are many facilities available alongside the route to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. The Shimanami Kaido is not only a great activity for cyclists, but also those wishing to enjoy the beautiful scenic landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea and the stunning locations in each of the separate islands along the way.
This complete guide to Shimanami Kaido includes detailed information about where to start cycling, bike rentals, cyclist-friendly accommodations, and much more.
Where to Start
As mentioned previously, the Shimanami Kaido road extends from the city of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, to the city of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. It is possible to start cycling from either of these two locations, but most people choose to begin their journey in Onomichi due to it being easier to access.
Starting from Onomichi
To start from Onomichi you will first need to make your way to the JR Onomichi Station. If you are heading there from Hiroshima Station, you can use the local San’yo train line (JPY1,520, about 100 minutes) or the San’yo Shinkansen (JPY3,280, about 35 minutes) to get there. Please note that the Shinkansen stops at Shin-Onomichi Station, where you will have to take a bus or taxi to Onomichi Station. If you are starting from Osaka, you can also use the San’yo Shinkansen to get to Shin-Onomichi Station (JPY7,910, about 120 minutes).
Once you arrive at Onomichi Station, you can walk to Onomichi Port which lies directly in front of it. Here, you can rent bicycles and officially start your journey. Please note that it is highly recommended to use a ferry to get to the first island, Mukaishima as opposed to the Onomichi or Shin-Onomichi bridges. This is due to the fact that said bridges are quite narrow and not suitable for cycling.
Ferries run regularly from Onomichi to Mukaishima with no fixed itinerary, and the ride is only about 5 minutes long. Payment is cash only and usually JPY100 for most boats. An additional JPY10 is charged for bicycles. We advise having exact change available to make the process easier. Once you arrive, head to the “Civic Center Mukaishima” near the port to find the well-signed Shimanami Kaido road.
Starting from Imabari
To start from Imabari you will first have to get to the JR Imabari Station. Unfortunately, since the city of Imabari is not located in mainland Japan, but rather in Ehime Prefecture on a separate island called Shikoku, it is a bit more difficult to access than Onomichi. We would only recommend starting from Imabari if you are already staying somewhere on the island of Shikoku. For example, getting to Imabari Station from the capital city of Ehime Prefecture, Matsuyama, is quite easy using the Yosan Line-Limited Express (JPY2,570, about 35 minutes).
Once you reach Imabari Station, you can cross to the i.i.imabari! Cycle Station which is located right next to it. Here, you can rent your bicycle, find helpful information about the cycling route and officially begin your adventure.
Recommended Cycling Route
The Shimanami Kaido road is marked with a visible “blue line” which visitors should follow to stay on track. This is the recommended route which stops by six different islands and crosses six bridges. Of course, you should definitely take the time to make some stops and quick detours along the way to visit the many beautiful sightseeing spots near the road.
As previously stated, it is best to start in the city of Onomichi, where you can head to the Onomichi Port, rent a bicycle, board a ferry to Mukaishima Island, and find the blue line near the “Civic Center Mukaishima.” We then recommend finishing at Imabari Station, where you can drop off your bike and start making your way back to Onomichi. Unfortunately, no buses or ferries run directly between Imabari and Onomichi, so you will have to take either two buses or a bus and a ferry to return to the mainland. The journey back should take about 90 minutes.
Bicycle Rental
There are several bicycle rental services available all along the Shimanami Kaido; however, we highly recommend renting from “Shimanami Japan.” This company has 10 different rental terminals located along the cycling route, making it easy to receive additional support or return bicycles along the way. The two endpoint rental terminals are the “Onomichi Port Bicycle Rental Terminal” and the “i.i.imabari! Cycle Station.”
Shimanami Japan has many different types of bicycles available for rental, such as regular, kids, battery-assisted, and electric bikes. The rental prices and return terminals for these bicycles vary. The cheapest rental for adults is a regular bicycle for JPY3,000, and the most expensive is an e-bike for JPY8,000. Most of the bicycles can be rented for multiple days, with the exception of the tandem bicycle and e-bike.
Accommodations
There are many possible accommodations to be found all throughout the Shimanami Kaido route, with a vast range in their price, size, and the services which they offer. Some guests choose to stay at cheap and convenient hostels, while others choose to splurge and spend a night at fancy ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). Below, we have listed some suggested accommodations in Onomichi, the recommended starting point, and Omishima Island, the halfway point of the Shimanami Kaido.
*All of the facilities below are bicycle friendly
City of Onomichi
Hotel Cycle
Located a short walking distance away from Onomichi Station and right by the port, this hotel has all the amenities necessary for visitors planning to ride the Shimanami Kaido. The property and rooms are bicycle-friendly, recommended bicycle rental facilities are right next door, and there is free luggage storage. All rooms have private bathrooms and prices range from JPY19,800 to JPY26,400.
Green Hill Hotel Onomichi
A hotel with a beautiful view of the Onomichi Channel, convenient location, reasonable prices, and a good variety of rooms. The cheapest room with a view of the city costs about JP13,500, while a twin room with harbor view costs about JPY20,000 per person. Rooms have private bathrooms and cycling racks are available for free.
Omishima Island
WAKKA
A comprehensive high-end facility which provides lodging, meals, bicycle rental and maintenance services, package tours, and much more. They also provide exclusive services such as bicycle-rack equipped taxis and private boat taxis. Room types include glamping tents, hostel-style bunk beds, and private cottages. Prices can range from JPY11,000 (most basic plan) to JPY 60,000 per person.
Sawaki
Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) known for its delicious and elaborate kaiseki-ryori meals. While the inn has shared bathroom facilities which all guests can use, some rooms include a private bathroom. The cheapest room plan with a private bathroom (but no meals) costs JPY7,700. The most expensive plan, which includes breakfast and dinner, costs JPY22,000.
I-LINK Hostel & Cafe Shimanami
Simple hostel which provides all necessary services for travelers. Single, twin, and dormitory-style rooms are available. Restrooms and showers are public and shared by those staying at the hostel. Single rooms cost about JPY12,000 and dormitory-style rooms can be as cheap as JPY7,600. Prices differ depending on the day of the week you wish to stay at the hostel.
Minshuku Karibu
A Minshuku (family-operated guesthouse) which is known for its delicious local seafood. Room only reservations cost JPY6,500. The deluxe plan which includes two luxurious meals costs JPY23,000. Rooms have no private bathrooms and everyone staying at the hotel must use the public ones. This guesthouse prioritizes food above facilities, and is not suitable for those looking for high quality accommodations.
Itineraries
The following itineraries include recommended starting and ending times, sightseeing locations, and ferry and bus services. You can use these itineraries as a guideline and make adjustments based on your cycling pace, interests, time available, and budget.
1-Day Itinerary
Starting Point: JR Onomichi Station 8:00 AM
Bicycle Rental: Onomichi Port Bicycle Rental Terminal
Ferry: Onomichi Port to Mukaishima Port
Sightseeing Spots:
- Mukaishima: Tachibana Coastline
- Innoshima: Innoshima Island Amenity Park
- Ikuchijima: Kosanji Temple
- Omishima: Roadside Station Tatara Shimanami Park (recommended location for lunch break and rest)
- Hakatajima: Hakata Beach
- Oshima: Kirosan Observatory Park, Roadside Station Yoshiumi Iki-Iki-kan
- Imabari: Sunrise Itoyama (“Shimanami” sign location)
Rental Bicycle Return: i.i.imabari! Cycle Station
Return: Depart from JR Imabari Station at around 6:00 PM on a bus bound for Hiroshima Bus Center or Fukuyama Station. You will have to transfer to another bus or a ferry at some point in the journey to be able to make it back to Onomichi Station. Of course, you can choose to ride the bus all the way to its final destination if this aligns better with your travel plans.
Ending Point: JR Onomichi Station
2-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Starting Point: JR Onomichi Station 9:00 AM
Bicycle Rental: Onomichi Port Bicycle Rental Terminal
Ferry: Onomichi Port to Mukaishima Port
Sightseeing Spots:
- Mukaishima: Tachibana Coastline, Mukaishima Itsukushima Shrine, Mt. Takamiyama Viewpoint, Ushio Chocolatl
- Innoshima: Innoshima Island Amenity Park, Five hundred arhats in Mt.Shirataki
- Ikuchijima: Kosanji Temple
- Omishima: Roadside Station Tatara Shimanami Park
Day 1 Ending Point: Overnight accommodations in Omishima 6:00 PM (for recommendations, please refer to the accommodations section above)
Day 2 Staring Point: Omishima Accommodations 9:00 AM
Sightseeing Spots:
- Omishima: Oyamazumi Shrine
- Hakatajima: Hirakiyama Park, Hakata Beach
- Oshima: Murakami Kaizoku Museum, Kirosan Observatory Park, Roadside Station Yoshiumi Iki-Iki-kan (recommended location for lunch break and rest)
- Imabari: Sunrise Itoyama (“Shimanami” sign location)
Rental Bicycle Return: i.i.imabari! Cycle Station
Return: Depart from JR Imabari Station at around 6:00 PM on a bus bound for Hiroshima Bus Center or Fukuyama Station. You will have to transfer to another bus or a ferry at some point in the journey to be able to make it back to Onomichi. Of course, you can ride the bus all the way to its final destination if this aligns better with your travel plans.
Day 2 Ending Point: JR Onomichi Station
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does Shimanami Kaido take?
For the average person, completing the Shimanami Kaido (one-way) can take about 8 hours when cycling at a moderate pace on a regular bicycle. E-bikes can drop this completion time by a couple of hours. For trained cyclists, it is possible to finish in about 3-4 hours.
Can I complete Shimanami Kaido in one day?
It is absolutely possible to complete the Shimanami Kaido in one day. If your main goal is to experience the cycling road and do some minor sightseeing, then this should be more than enough time. However, to truly explore the different islands and have a more immersive experience, two days are recommended.
When is the best time of the year to ride the Shimanami Kaido?
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) are the best times to ride the Shimanami Kaido due to the pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery of said seasons. We do not recommend riding in the summer due to extreme heat or in the winter due to strong and chilly winds. If you are thinking of cycling in autumn, be aware that typhoon season goes on from July till October.
Do I need to be able to speak Japanese?
There is no need to speak Japanese in order to cycle the Shimanaki Kaido as the roads are well-signed and marked. English or translator apps can be used to facilitate bicycle rentals and utilizing ferries.
What do I do with my rental bicycle once I’m finished?
Most bicycle rental services for the Shimanaki Kaido allow you to return your bicycle at the opposite end from where you started. For example, if you rented your bicycle in Onomichi, it is possible to return it in Imabari.
Is it possible to stop halfway through the cycling route?
It is perfectly possible to stop halfway through the Shimanami Kaido. Bicycle rental services have multiple rental terminals where you can drop off your bikes along the way*. You can then take a bus or ferry to your desired end point.
*Please make sure to inquire about the rental terminals in which returns are possible for the particular company you choose to rent from
Do I have to cycle all the way back to my starting point?
If you wish to return to your starting location after completing the Shimanami Kaido, there is no need to cycle all the way back. Buses connect the JR Onomichi and Imabari Stations. Unfortunately, there are no ferries or trains which run directly between Onomichi and Imabari.