Cycling the Shimanami Kaido Route in Japan
- Nimrod
- Jul 23
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 19
November 2024 [To all posts in Japan]
Focus: Cycling the Shimanami Kaido Route in Japan
Content
Cycling the Shimanami Kaido Route in Japan - Introduction
Since I’m quite a dedicated cyclist, I was looking for a slightly different biking adventure—and that’s how I came across this route, which looked absolutely amazing. All that was left was to convince Dorit to join me :)
The idea of cycling across giant bridges suspended over the Seto Inland Sea in Setonaikai National Park was truly exciting.
The full Shimanami Kaido cycling route stretches about 70 km, connecting the city of Onomichi to Imabari. Along the way, it crosses six impressive bridges and passes through six islands before reaching Shikoku, where the ride ends in Imabari.
Honestly, for someone who isn’t a seasoned cyclist, 70 km felt like quite a stretch.
After a “couples discussion,” we decided to shorten the route to about 40 km and finish at station number 6, right after crossing the Tatara Bridge.
Of course, you can ride back the same way, but most people return by bus to Onomichi after dropping off their bikes at one of the ten rental stations along the route.
Here’s the route map for orientation.
Who is it for
Honestly, almost everyone – it really depends on your fitness, motivation, the weather, and the type of bike. If you book a few days in advance, you can rent an electric bike, which makes the ride much easier and faster.
The route is mostly flat, except for short climbs up to the bridges, and you can choose to ride just part of it, like we did.
Some people even do the route in reverse, starting from Imabari and finishing in Onomichi, especially if they’re coming from Shikoku Island.
For experienced road cyclists, I recommend renting high-quality road bikes from Giant Store (closed on Tuesdays).
More Trips In Japan
How to Get to Onomichi
We drove from the city of Kurashiki directly to Onomichi and the bike rental terminal located here. There’s a nearby parking lot (1,600 yen for a full day). After the ride, we drove back to Kurashiki (about an hour’s drive).
You can also take a train to Onomichi Station, which is just 350 meters from the bike rental terminal. This day trip is also great if you’re based in Hiroshima – it’s only about an hour away by train. Alternatively, you can stay overnight in Onomichi and rent bikes in the morning.
For a fun post about Onomichi, check out this link.
Tips for Cycling the Shimanami Kaido
General
The bridges are open to both cyclists and pedestrians. As of now, crossing them by bike is free (likely until March 2026).
Where to Rent Bikes
The easiest and most affordable option is to rent from the "regular" bike rental company at the Onomichi rental terminal. You can just show up in the morning without booking in advance, but it’s first come, first served—so get there early (opens at 07:00, or 08:00 in winter). When we arrived, the remaining bikes weren’t quite the right size or type for us. If you’re coming during busy seasons (autumn/spring/weekends), it’s best to book ahead.
You can reserve bikes online here, but note that bookings should be made at least three days in advance. I also recommend checking the weather forecast before you lock in your reservation. If you’re staying on one of the islands, you can rent bikes at the stations there as well.
For experienced road cyclists, it’s worth renting from other companies like Giant (Giant rental system) for better quality bikes. When we came, they were closed (it was Tuesday). Giant operates from the port area at a place called U2, and you can book on their website here.
Note: Giant has only two stations—Onomichi and Imabari—so you’ll need to complete the full route or return to your starting point. (There’s an extra fee if you return the bike at the opposite terminal.)
Bike Types and Costs
It really depends on your style and riding habits. You can choose from several types: city bikes with a front basket, hybrid “half-road” bikes, and electric bikes (though these models aren’t meant for serious road cyclists).
The “regular” rental company’s website lists all bike types and explains where you can pick up and return them.There’s also an option for tandem bikes (for two riders), but you should check in advance if they’re allowed along the entire route.
Rental prices (as of 2024):
Regular bikes: 3,000 yen/day
Bikes with electric assist: 4,000 yen/day
Full electric bikes: 8,000 yen/day
For Road Cyclists: If you’re renting from Giant, expect to pay between 7,000–17,000 yen/day for high-end carbon road bikes.
Weather
To really enjoy the ride, pick a sunny or partly cloudy day. Check the forecast a few days ahead and choose your day wisely. Riding in the rain is doable, but far less enjoyable.
Bike Fitting
Make sure to adjust the bike so it feels comfortable. For example, if you’re over 1.80m tall, ask for a large frame. Adjust the seat height so that when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke, your knee is only slightly bent. Check the brakes and tire pressure (the higher the pressure, the easier the ride). Take a quick spin at the rental station to ensure everything works well. Sometimes riding with a front or rear basket is more comfortable than carrying a backpack.
What to Bring for the Ride
The rental company provides a helmet, a lock, and a phone number in case of a flat tire or technical issue. There are ten service stations along the way. You’ll also get a detailed map of the route, return stations, bridges, distances, and more. Each island along the route has convenience stores like 7-Eleven, so you don’t need to carry food or drinks—just bring a water bottle.
What to Wear
This depends on the season and the weather you’ll encounter on the ride. Outside of summer, bring something light but long-sleeved, as well as a cap and sunglasses. Keep in mind it can get chilly and windy (after all, you’re riding in the middle of the sea!). Always wear proper shoes, not flip-flops or open sandals. Cycling clothes are ideal if you have them—but maybe that’s overkill. :)
Where Can You Return the Bikes?
It depends on which company you rented from. If it’s the “regular” rental company, you can return your bike at any of the ten stations along the route (all clearly marked on the map you’ll receive) during their operating hours. If you rented from Giant, you can only return your bike in Onomichi or Imabari.
Planning Your Time
Plan your day based on your starting time, riding pace, and breaks along the way. For casual riders, expect an average speed of around 10 km/h, including stops for coffee, photos, and rest. This means completing the full 70 km route takes about 6–7 hours.The bus ride back to Onomichi also takes time and involves a transfer—overall, around 2–3 hours including waiting times. For experienced cyclists on road bikes, the one-way ride should take no more than three hours.
Where Does the Ride Start?
The starting point is right near the bike rental terminal. From there, take a short ferry ride (about 10 minutes) to the first island, where the cycling path begins. The route is clearly marked on the road with a light blue line. (Note: the ferry is not included in the bike rental price).
Where Does It End?
That’s up to you—your pace, energy, and weather will decide. You can finish at any of the stations along the way and catch a bus back. Just keep the paperwork and ID you received at the start.
If you finish in Imabari, the bike return station is right by the train station. If you end earlier and don’t reach Imabari, take a highway bus to Innoshima Ohashi (there’s also food there) and transfer to a local bus back to Onomichi.
(For more details, check the Japan Guide page.)
Station Operating Hours
Most stations are open from 07:00 (08:00 in winter) until 17:00 The larger stations stay open until 19:00.
You can find the exact operating hours for each station on their website (at the bottom of the page).
How to Get Back to Onomichi
You can return to Onomichi by bus from almost any bike return station along the route. In most cases, you’ll need to change buses at Innoshima Ohashi.
Useful Links
So, how did it go?
Since we didn’t reserve the bikes in advance and arrived after 08:00, we had to make do with the bikes that were left… decent enough, but not exactly the right size.We got a map, a lock, and a helmet. The route is mostly flat, so there’s really no need for electric bikes. The only climbs are the approaches to the bridges (up to about 1 km with a 3% incline).
We started off with a short ferry ride across the channel from the city to the starting point of the ride (a quick 10-minute trip). The ferry departs roughly 200 meters from the bike terminal.
We rode about 40 km, finishing at Station 6, just after crossing the impressive Tatara Bridge.
The ride takes you along roads between small villages, with the cycling route marked in light blue. There are a few alternate paths along the way, so keep an eye on the map and pick what suits you best.
Eventually, the goal is to reach and cross those bridges—and wow, they are spectacular!
Many of the villages and towns along the route are small ports or industrial areas. You’ll also see plenty of farmland, especially citrus trees—lemons are everywhere here, even in the local dishes.
If you’re cycling through Ikuchijima Island, it’s worth taking an artistic break at the Hirayama Ikuo Museum, located right here. The museum showcases the works of the renowned artist Hirayama Ikuo.
Beyond the thrill of crossing the bridges themselves, even the climbs and descents leading to them are special — designed with cyclists in mind.
Cycling here is such a unique and fascinating experience — not just because of the incredible bridges and the views from them, but also thanks to the chance to explore ordinary villages and towns off Japan’s usual tourist track, all from the height of your handlebars.
By the way, both Onomichi and Imabari are interesting towns worth a visit on their own.
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