Recommended Routes & Itineraries

Imabari Station

・After trying out you bike for size and testing the brakes etc, it’s time to start your ride.
 
・The section between Imabari Station is mostly on public roads and will probably be the part of your ride with most traffic. Please proceed with caution.

Sunrise Itoyama

・Be sure to stop at the large SHIMANAMI sign next to Sunrise Itoyama and the Chuo Rental Cycle terminal by the entrance to the up-ramp to the Kurushima Straits Bridges.
 
・Enjoy the incredible views over the Kurushima Straits as you cross the over-4-km-long bridge.
 
・Please be aware of pedestrians and oncoming cyclists as you cross the bridges.

Iki Iki Kan Rest Stop

・Toilets and refreshments are available at Iki Iki Kan Rest Stop.
 
・After leaving the rest stop, the next section includes two climbs. Between them is the turn-off for the steep hill climb up to the Mt. Kiro Lookout.
 
・The second climb up to Miyakubo Pass is the most challenging part of the main ‘Blue Line’ route, and it is not uncommon to see people pushing their bikes up there. the second of which is rather long and steep.

Miyakubo Port

・From Miyakubo Port, the route takes you along a stretch of seaside road with views of Noshima Island, the site of a stronghold of the Murakami Kaizoku clans that once controlled these waters.
 
・Hakata Beach Park is a short distance from the exit of the Hakata-Oshima Bridge.

Hakata Beach Park

・After passing some shipyards, the main route soon leaves Hakata Island and takes you across the Omishima Bridge, the oldest of the Shimanami Kaido’s bridges.

Tatara Shimanami Park

・Tatara Shimanami Park is a major rest stop along the “Blue Line” route. As well as bathrooms, a restaurant, fast food outlets, a farmers market, and souvenir shop, it is home to the “Cyclist Sanctuary” monument.

Overnight stay on Omishima

On Omishima Island, accommodation is clustered in two main areas, along the road which runs north from Tatara Shimanami Park and around ancient Oyamazumi Shrine.

I-Link Hostel, WAKKA, and Benton Guesthouse are the most popular locations in the first area, and are within 2km of Tatara Shimanami Park. Also nearby is a campsite, 24-hour convenience store, and laundromat.

Oyamazumi Shrine is approximately 6 km from Tatara Shimanami Park and the area around it has several places to stay.

There are also some places to eat that are open at night, and, by staying over, you can enjoy a drink or two at Omishima Brewery and Omishima Winery Mina no Ie.

Tatara Shimanami Park

Make you way back to Tatara Shimanami Park to start the second half of your Shimanami Kaido adventure.

Perhaps grab some fresh citrus fruits from the local farmer’s market, or, depending on the day of the week and time of day, grab a coffee and a view from Shimanami Coffee.

Setoda

・After crossing the Tatara Bridge to Ikuchijima Island, and descending through the orchards of ‘Lemon Valley’, the route takes you along some lovely coastline, passing Setoda Sunset Beach along the way.

・Setoda is a pretty port town with cafes, restaurants, shops, and interesting places to visit include Kosanji Temple and the Hill of Hope, and the Ikuo Hirayama Art Museum.

Ikuchi Bridge

・Enjoy great views as you cross the 490m Ikuchi Bridge.
・Look out for public artwork as you cycle along the coast with views of the “heron” sand islands. Setouchi Dolche is a popular stop for gelato along here.

Innoshima Shimanami Beach

・Take a break at the spacious beach park, which has a cafe, playground, and summer leisure pool, before the relatively steep climb up to the Innoshima Bridge.

Tachibana Coast

・Cross the Innoshima Bridge, via the dedicated cycle lane built on the underside of the bridge.

・At Tachibana Coast, there are several cafes offering snacks and lunches along a very pretty beach.

Mukaishima Port

・After approximately 5 km along the coast, the road turns east. You will encounter more traffic along here, so please take care, and be sure to observe all traffic signals.

・10-min ferry across the Onomichi Channel to Onomichi (100 yen/person, 10 yen/bike)