Onomichi Old Temples and Shimanami Kaido Cycling One Day Course

This ambitious one day course walks the port town of Onomichi, woven with slopes and alleys, then crosses to the islands by bicycle on the Shimanami Kaido in the afternoon. In the morning you visit old temples such as Senkoji and look down over the town, and in the afternoon you cut through the Seto Inland Sea breeze on a rental bike. You can enjoy two faces of Onomichi, on foot and on wheels, in a single day.

Course Route

9:00 Start in front of Onomichi Station Arrive by train from the Hiroshima direction. Standing before the station, you see the Onomichi scene of houses lining the hillside. 9:30 Up the hill by Senkoji ropeway The ropeway is about 700 yen round trip for adults, running every fifteen minutes from 9:00 until evening. The three minute ride takes you straight up to Senkoji Park. From the observatory you can take in the Onomichi channel and Mukaishima. 10:00 Walk down past temples and alleys Descend slowly through Senkoji, the Path of Literature and the old temples, winding down the slopes and lanes. The famous Cat Alley is around here too. Many temples are free to visit, so you can wander at ease. 11:30 Lunch in the shopping street Head to the Onomichi Hondori shopping street at the foot of the hill for the local Onomichi ramen or seafood. A bowl of ramen is around 700 to 900 yen. 12:30 Rent a bicycle Rent a bike near Onomichi Station. A standard bike is around 3000 yen a day and an electric assist bike around 4000 yen (a separate deposit may be required). Booking ahead is safer in peak season. 13:00 Cross to Mukaishima by ferry Take the small ferry across with your bike to Mukaishima on the far shore, about five minutes. The Shimanami Kaido cycling starts here. 13:30 From Mukaishima toward Innoshima Ride from island to island at your own pace, gazing at the blue sea and the bridges. Turn back within a comfortable range. 16:30 Return to Onomichi and return the bike Take the ferry back to Onomichi and return the bike to end the course. A rest at a seaside cafe is recommended.

Highlights

The Onomichi channel seen from the Senkoji Park observatory is the view that symbolizes this town. The narrow alleys, old temples and chance meetings with cats are charms of the hillside town. The Shimanami Kaido offers a special exhilaration of riding over the sea, and the view from the bridges is unforgettable.

Access and Tips

The Shimanami Kaido runs about seventy kilometers from Onomichi to Imabari, so for a single day it is realistic to turn back around Mukaishima or Innoshima rather than crossing the whole route. Rental bikes are busy in peak season, so booking ahead is safer.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Cycling is most comfortable in the mild seasons of spring and autumn. Midsummer sun and heat are harsh, so an early start and hydration are essential. The Onomichi channel from the observatory is lovely at dusk too.
• Time needed: About an hour and a half for the temple walk around Senkoji, and about two to three hours round trip for cycling if you turn back at Mukaishima or Innoshima. Overall it is a full day course.
• Fitness guide: The islands have slopes, so first timers or those less confident in their stamina can ride comfortably with an electric assist bike.
• Nearby stops: ONOMICHI U2 in front of the station is a complex you can enter with your bike, popular for its cafe and shops. Mukaishima has seaside areas such as the Tachibana district loved by cyclists.
• Budget guide: The ropeway round trip, rental bike and lunch come to roughly 4500 to 6000 yen per person.

A Quick Tip

Slopes and cycling use up energy, so keep hydrated. Choosing an electric assist bike makes the island hills much easier. A helmet is recommended, so borrowing one along with the bike is reassuring.