Japan is a famous place with many mountains, busy cities and quiet villages. And one of the best places you can visit is the Shimanami Kaido. If you love nature with sea views, want to try tasty food and have fun trips, then this is one of the best places to visit.
You can come to this place with your family, friends, or even travel alone. From this guide, you can plan your trip very easily. The Shimanami Kaido is not a single road. It is a beautiful route that connects many small islands with big bridges.
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Japan’s most scenic island adventure
When you travel on this route, you can see the blue sea and enjoy the amazing views of the Seto Inland Sea. You can also see the beaches, temples, parks and the amazing historic museums. You can enjoy eating the fresh seafood and the local food. This place is more famous for cycling, but if you do not want to ride a bicycle, there are many fun things to see and do.
What is the Shimanami Kaido?
This is a beautiful road in Japan that connects Onomichi City in Hiroshima to Imabari City in Ehime. This road is about 70 kilometers, which is 43 miles long.
On this route, you will see that it connects six islands and seven big bridges. You can see the beautiful islands with blue water all around them and peaceful views. Also, you can see the small towns with quiet streets, green trees and local people living their daily lives, where you can experience the beauty of Japan.
Six islands connected by bridges
The Shimanami Kaido is famous for its amazing cycling route. Most people come here to ride bicycles and enjoy the beautiful sea views. But if you don’t want to cycle, you can also enjoy sightseeing, taking beautiful photos, visiting small towns, trying tasty local food and relaxing near the sea.
Islands You Should Visit
As we know, it connects six islands, and each island is special with something fun to see and do. You can see beautiful beaches, eat some tasty food and enjoy the amazing sea views as you travel from one island to another.
| Island | Highlights | Why Visit? |
| Mukaishima | Small villages, beautiful beaches, seaside cafes and scenic coastal roads | The first island after leaving Onomichi. A peaceful place to relax and enjoy the ocean views and quiet island life. |
| Innoshima | Innoshima Suigun Castle, flower parks, local restaurants and ocean views | A historic island where you can learn about its past, enjoy colorful gardens, taste local food and see beautiful sea views. |
| Ikuchijima | Kosanji Temple, beautiful gardens and art museums | One of the most popular islands on the route. Perfect for sightseeing, exploring Japanese culture, and trying delicious lemon treats. |
| Omishima | Oyamazumi Shrine, quiet beaches, cycling paths and fresh seafood restaurants | A peaceful island known for its natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere. Great for nature lovers and seafood fans. |
| Hakatajima | Local farms, fishing villages and ocean scenery | A quiet island with fewer visitors, which makes it a perfect place to relax and enjoy traditional island life. |
| Oshima | Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, parks, coastal views and relaxing beaches | The final island before Imabari. A great place to enjoy spectacular bridge views and end your Shimanami Kaido journey with beautiful scenery. |
Shimanami Kaido Islands
| Island | Distance | Must Visit | Why Visit? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mukaishima | 2 km | Beaches & Coastal Roads | Quiet island views |
| Innoshima | 12 km | Suigun Castle | History & sea views |
| Ikuchijima | 15 km | Kosanji Temple | Temples & lemon treats |
| Omishima | 16 km | Oyamazumi Shrine | Nature & local food |
| Hakatajima | 10 km | Fishing Villages | Peaceful island life |
| Oshima | 8 km | Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge | Beautiful bridge views |
Explore every unique island along the route
How to Reach the Shimanami Kaido
Reaching the Shimanami Kaido is very easy, and there are a few routes you can take.
From Hiroshima: Take a train to Onomichi which is the most common starting point.
From Osaka: Take a Shinkansen to Hiroshima and then go to Onomichi. It is also a good choice, but you have to travel twice.
From Tokyo: Take a Shinkansen to Hiroshima and then travel to Onomichi.
You can also start your trip from Imabari if it is easier for you. Choose any route that suits you.
Easy transportation from major cities
Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido
This place is one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world. Every year, many people come to Japan to ride a bicycle here. The walking paths and the cycling paths are separate, so it is safe and easy to ride.
The full route is about 70 km, which is 43 miles long. It starts from Onomichi in Hiroshima and ends at Imabari in Ehime. Along the way, you will see the seven big bridges and six beautiful islands. You can also enjoy amazing views of the blue Seto Inland Sea.
Everyone can try cycling, there is no need to be a professional cyclist. Even beginners can ride the route easily. The path is easy to follow and there are many places where you can stop for a rest and eat tasty food while enjoying the beautiful views.
Cycling beside breathtaking ocean views
Shimanami Kaido Cycling Route
The Shimanami Kaido is a beautiful 70 km cycling route that connects Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari in Ehime. Along this route, you will cross six islands and seven big bridges while enjoying beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea.
On this route, you will see a blue line on the road, so it is easy to follow. You can finish the ride in one day, but taking two days is better if you want to explore the islands more and enjoy local food.
Follow the famous blue line
Main Stops
- Onomichi: Start your journey and explore the old town.
- Mukaishima: Enjoy quiet roads and sea views.
- Innoshima: Visit the castle and local parks.
- Ikuchijima: See Kosanji Temple and try the tasty lemon food.
- Omishima: Visit Oyamazumi religious sites and enjoy the beaches.
- Hakatajima: Relax and enjoy the peaceful fishing villages.
- Oshima: See the famous Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge.
- Imabari: Finish your cycling trip and explore the city.
Discover unforgettable places along the route
Difficulty and Facilities
You can plan a two-day trip here, which is a good choice for first-time visitors. You can start in Onomichi, stay overnight in Ikuchijima, and finish your trip in Imabari the next day.
- Distance: About 70 km, which is 43 miles
- Time: Around 6 to 8 hours of cycling
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best for: Beginners, families, couples and experienced cyclists — everyone can do this
- Facilities: Bike rentals, e-bikes, cafes, restaurants, toilets, rest areas, repair stations, and places to stay
Plan your trip well and enjoy beautiful views, with many places to rest along the way. The Shimanami Kaido is a great place for cycling adventures in Japan. If you love travelling or hiking, then you may also like Myoko Kogen
Everything needed for comfortable cycling
Shimanami Kaido at a Glance
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Onomichi to Imabari, Japan |
| Distance | About 70 km (43 miles) |
| Islands | 6 beautiful islands |
| Bridges | 7 big bridges |
| Best For | Cycling, nature, food, and sea views |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Best Plan | 2 days for a relaxed trip |
| Popular Stops | Ikuchijima, Omishima, Oshima |
