Shimanami Kaido Cycling: A Spectacular Route Connecting Seto Inland Sea Islands by Bridges

The sparkling blue Seto Inland Sea, the grand bridges linking island to island, the exhilaration of cutting through the sea breeze: the Shimanami Kaido connecting Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture with Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture is a scenic route known worldwide as a sacred ground for cyclists. The roughly 70-kilometer journey, crossing bridges from island to island, is an unrivaled experience of riding a bicycle over the sea. You can feel the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the charm of the islands with your whole body.

Highlights: A Sacred Ground for Cyclists

The Shimanami Kaido (Nishiseto Expressway) is a route linking Onomichi on Honshu with Imabari on Shikoku via a series of islands and bridges. Each bridge has a dedicated cycling and pedestrian path, so you can cycle safely without worrying about cars, a major appeal. The exhilaration of crossing bridges over the sea by bicycle is exceptional, making it a sacred ground for cyclists visited by many from Japan and abroad. In Imabari there is also a monument popular as a commemorative photo spot, a place to share the sense of accomplishment of completing the route.

The Spectacle of Bridges Linking the Islands

The highlight of the Shimanami Kaido is, above all, the views from the bridges linking the islands. Beginning with the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, one of the world's great suspension bridge structures, the bridges each with their own character offer sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea's many islands. The blue sea, green islands, and passing ships seen from atop the bridges are truly spectacular. The Kurushima Strait is known for its fast currents, and there are spots where you can watch the swirling tides.

Island Hopping and Local Food

The islands along the Shimanami Kaido each have distinctive attractions. Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima, the artistic townscapes and lemon groves of Ikuchijima, the salt of Hakatajima, and sites associated with the Murakami pirates on Innoshima are full of places to stop. Resting at each island's roadside stations and rest areas while savoring fresh seafood and sweets made with Seto lemons is a pleasure. Bicycle rental and one-way drop-off are convenient, letting you choose a course to match your stamina.

Best Season and Access

The mild, easy-riding seasons of spring and autumn are best. In summer, prepare thoroughly against heat and sunburn; in winter, against cold and sea wind. You can start from either the Onomichi side or the Imabari side, with rental cycle bases at the major ports. Some locations rent electric-assist bicycles, making it easier for those wary of slopes to take on the challenge. You can ride the full route, or enjoy only part of it according to your stamina and time.

Practical Travel Notes

• The full route (about 70 km) is long for beginners. Consider riding over two days, or focusing on a partial section such as Imabari to Omishima.
• Rental bicycles can sell out in peak season. If you want an electric-assist bike in particular, advance reservation is reassuring.
• Wear a helmet and follow traffic rules. The approaches to the bridge entrances include slopes.
• Keep up with drinks and snacks. Planning your use of the islands' roadside stations and rest areas makes for comfortable riding.

One Piece of Advice

The real joy of the Shimanami Kaido is not simply finishing the ride but proceeding at your own pace while enjoying the scenery and food of each island. Stopping on a bridge to gaze at the sea, or detouring to an island that catches your eye: this free-form travel is the route's charm. Make a comfortable plan to match your stamina and time, and savor the spectacular Seto Inland Sea to the fullest.

📚 Sources

The information here is based mainly on the public guidance from Imabari city, Onomichi city, and the Shimanami cycling organizations. The information for the rental-cycle terminals at each port, bridges such as the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, and the island roadside stations and rest stops are also useful references. Because rental fees and reservations and the condition of bridges and roads may change, please confirm the latest details with each terminal or municipality before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time needed: About two days for the full route (roughly 70 km), or half a day to a full day for a section such as Imabari to Omishima. Choose a manageable distance.
• What to bring: Wear a helmet and follow traffic rules. Prepare drinks and snacks, sun and cold protection, and reserve an electric-assist bike in advance during busy periods.
• Suggested route: Start from either the Onomichi or Imabari side and cross scenic bridges such as the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, stopping at the roadside stations and rest spots on Omishima, Ikuchijima, Hakatajima, and Innoshima. You can choose sections to suit your stamina.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Toll for bicycles: Under the 'Shimanami Cycling Free' scheme, bicycles using the cycling and pedestrian paths of the Nishiseto Expressway (Setouchi Shimanami Kaido) travel free of charge until Friday, March 31, 2028. No application procedure is required in order to use it (mopeds and specified small mopeds are not covered)
• Toll for pedestrians: Free of charge
• Tolls for mopeds: Innoshima Bridge 50 yen / Ikuchi Bridge 50 yen / Tatara Bridge 100 yen / Omishima Bridge 50 yen / Hakata-Oshima Bridge 50 yen / Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge 200 yen. Crossing every bridge comes to 500 yen in total (a moped ticket book of ten 50-yen tickets is available for 500 yen)
• Rental bicycle rates (Shimanami Japan, tax included, per day): Cross bikes and city bicycles 3,000 yen for adults / 1,000 yen for elementary school children and younger, kids' bikes 1,000 yen, electrically assisted bicycles 4,000 yen, E-bikes 8,000 yen, tandem bicycles 4,000 yen
• One-way drop-off: Cross bikes and city bicycles, kids' bikes, electrically assisted bicycles and E-bikes can be returned at any of the terminals. Tandem bicycles can only be returned at the terminal where they were rented (no one-way drop-off). E-bikes and tandem bicycles must be returned the same day
• Restrictions on rental locations: Electrically assisted bicycles are stocked at Onomichi Station Front, the Setoda Tourist Information Office, Sunset, Omishima, Imabari Itoyama and Imabari Station Front, and E-bikes at Onomichi Station Front, Imabari Itoyama and Imabari Station Front
• Student groups (20 bicycles or more, advance application required): Cross bikes and city bicycles 2,000 yen for junior high school students and older / 500 yen for elementary school children and younger (per day). A separate one-way drop-off fee of 1,000 yen for junior high school students and older and 500 yen for elementary school children and younger applies
• Helmets: Lent free of charge to rental bicycle users (helmets cannot be rented on their own)
• Terminals (10 locations): Onomichi Station Front / Mukaishima / Innoshima / Ikuchijima 1 / Ikuchijima 2 / Omishima / Hakatajima / Oshima / Imabari Itoyama / Imabari Station Front
• Opening hours: Onomichi Station Front, Imabari Itoyama and Imabari Station Front are open 8:00-19:00 from March to November and 8:00-18:00 from December to February. The other terminals are open 9:00-17:00
• Total length of the route: The cycling road from Onomichi to Imabari runs for about 70 km
• Discount for visitors with disabilities: Holders of the various disability certificates and one accompanying carer pay half the rental bicycle fee

* Whether a deposit is required for rental bicycles is not stated in the fee information on the official website. * If you return the bicycle earlier than the date and time declared when you applied, the difference is not refunded (according to the official information). (Sources: JB Honshi Expressway official website, Shimanami Japan official website)