Shimanami Kaido 1 Day Cycling Tour from Onomichi to Imabari

One of the most unique attractions of Onomichi is the Shimanami Kaido. The route, which passes across bridges and islands of the Seto Inland Sea, is the only land connection between Japan's main island of Honshu and Shikoku that is traversable by cyclists and pedestrians. Along the way there are two particular attractions of interest to visitors: the Hirayama Museum and the unique Kosanji Temple.

The first island is Mukaijima, though it is recommended that you take the short ferry across the channel as the first bridge is quite a way out of town, has no dedicated bike lane, and involves quite a climb to reach.

Innoshima Island (12km,45min) Innoshima is the second island going from Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari in Ehime on Shikoku and is connected to the first island, Mukaijima, by the Innoshima Bridge, a suspension bridge with a main span of 770 meters, completed in 1983.,

The next island, Ikuchijima is reached by the Ikuchi Bridge on which bikes and pedestrians have their own section of the bridge with only a waist height steel fence which allows for great views. This is part of the uniqueness of this bike route because the bridges are quite high so you get unusual views looking down on the surrounding landscape. You can easily spend half a day on Ikuchijima as it is home to several places worth a visit including the fantastic complex of attractions at Kosanji, possibly the most unique temple in Japan.

The rest station offers a fantastic view of the Seto Inland Sea and is also a spectacular viewing point of the Tatara bridge from below. The rest station's local specialty center sells a plethora of fantastic locally manufactured goods and seafood products that will leave you struggling to make a choice for a souvenir. It also features a restaurant that sells local dishes made from the local specialty of Omishima Island, flounder. The location also features rent-a-cycle facilities and campgrounds, as well as an onsen, making it a great central spot for sight seeing at Omishima Island.

These first four islands are all part of Onomichi City in Hiroshima, but the next two are part of Imabari in Ehime on Shikoku. A relatively short ridge connects to Hakatajima, and like Omishima the cycle route passes just along a short part of its coast. Off the cycle route there are parks and beaches, but the island is mostly known for salt production, so such delicacies as Salt Ramen and Salt Ice Cream can be sampled.

The final island before reaching the mainland of Shikoku is Oshima, "big island", one of hundreds of islands in Japan having the same name. Oshima was another base of the Murakami pirates and there is a small museum dedicated to them here. At the southern end of the island a great viewpoint at the top of 300 meter high Mount Kirosan offers panoramic views and there are two places where short scenic boat trips can be taken.

The final bridge over to Shikoku, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, is perhaps the most impressive, at over six kilometers in length, including the long approaches for bikes, it is actually three connected suspension bridges, the first of its kind in the world, and the views are stupendous.

End of service of tour at Imabari station