We finished our road trip by leaving our car in Matsuyama, but one important step was still missing: Imabari to Onomichi. Cycling the Shimanami Kaido was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Riding between small islands, crossing huge bridges and staying overnight on a quiet island made this experience truly special — a moment we will never forget.
Shimanami Kaido : bike and accommodation booking
The Shimanami Kaido is a famous cycling route crossing 7 bridges and about 80 kilometers, connecting Shikoku Island to Honshū, the main island of Japan.
The two main cities are Imabari (Shikoku) and Onomichi (Honshu). I highly recommend visiting both cities for 1 day : Imabari has a really beautiful castle and Onomichi a beautiful city view. Unfortunatly we only visited Imabari.
You can start from both sides, but starting from Imabari is the easiest option. Strong cyclists can do the route in one day, but to really enjoy the landscapes and the islands, we highly recommend doing it in two days, with one night in the middle.
We did the Shimanami Kaido at the beginning of November. We had one sunny day and one rainy day, but with good equipment, cycling in the rain is totally doable.
Autumn is a great period: temperatures are pleasant and the landscapes are beautiful.
You can pick up the bikes directly in Imabari and drop them off in Onomichi, which is very convenient. We booked in advanced our bikes in the main bike agency Shimanami Japan. We paid 34€ for 2 days biking. We chose cross bikes, and they were perfect for the two-day ride.
For accommodation, I recommend stopping on Omishima Island, right in the middle of the route. Accommodation options on the islands are limited, so we strongly advise booking your guesthouse well in advance. We stayed in Tonari Guesthouse it was perfectly located. For our dinner, our host recommended Kuroshio seafood restaurant, and it was delicious.
Shimanami Kaido : route & stops
The bike rental agency provides a map with several routes. The easiest and most popular one is the blue route.
The path is extremely well signposted, with blue markings painted on the road along the entire route.
On the agency’s website, you can also find On the agency’s website, you can also find recommended stops, viewpoints, cafés, and places to rest.
Shimanami Kaido : pratical tips
To travel lighter, we sent our large backpacks in advance using Yamato Transport.
- Drop-off before 6 p.m.
- Luggage available the next day from 3 p.m.
This made cycling much more comfortable and stress-free.
You don’t need to be an experienced cyclist to do the Shimanami Kaido. The route is accessible, and electric bikes are available if needed. Some bridges are long, but the climbs are gradual and well designed.
Shimanami Kaido : review
The Shimanami Kaido is not just a bike route — it is a slow and peaceful journey through another side of Japan. There are cycle paths all along the route, which makes for a very pleasant experience. Some sections are uphill, but if you take your time you should be able to manage it.
For us, it was a truly unforgettable experience and one of the strongest memories of our trip.
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