Shimanami Kaido & Imabari travel guide
Where to base yourself, what to eat, how to save money and ready-made day plans for Shimanami Kaido & Imabari.
One day or two?
The recommended route is about 70 km end to end. A reasonably fit rider can do it in 5–7 hours of riding, so a full day works if you start by 9:00 — but you will have little time for detours. Two days, with a night on Omishima or Ikuchijima, lets you add Kirosan, Oyamazumi Shrine and a swim. With only half a day, hire a bike at Sunrise Itoyama, cross the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge to Oshima and come back: about 20 km of the best scenery on the route.
Which direction?
Both work. Starting in Imabari puts the biggest bridge first, when legs are fresh, and finishes among Onomichi’s cafés and temple lanes with easy Shinkansen connections. Starting in Onomichi saves the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge for a grand finale and ends close to Dogo Onsen — a strong argument in itself.
What to eat in Imabari
- Imabari yakitori — chicken pressed and seared on a flat iron griddle rather than skewered over charcoal; crisp skin is the classic first order.
- Yakibuta tamago meshi — slices of roast pork and soft fried eggs on rice with a sweet-salty sauce, the city’s signature cheap lunch.
- Kurushima Strait sea bream and other fish from the fast tidal waters, at the port market and island barbecue halls.
- Island citrus — lemons, mikan and juice stands all along the route; Hakata salt soft-serve.
Safety & what to bring
Ride on the left, single file, and use lights in the short tunnels and after dusk — the bridges are unlit for cyclists. Carry water (vending machines are frequent but not on the bridges), sun protection, a windproof layer and cash for rest stops. Wind over the straits can be strong; if it is gusting hard, shorten the day. Rental bikes come with a lock and usually a repair contact number.
Where to stay in Shimanami Kaido & Imabari
In Imabari, stay near the JR station — several hotels there are set up for cyclists, with bike storage and laundry. To split the ride, book a guesthouse or cyclists’ hostel on Omishima, roughly the halfway point; island rooms are few, so reserve early for weekends.
- JR Clement Inn Imabari — Next to Imabari Station and geared to cyclists, with bike-friendly facilities — the easiest base for an early start.
- Imabari Kokusai Hotel — The city’s largest full-service hotel, in the centre near the city hall, with several restaurants and a big public bath.
- Imabari Urban Hotel — A straightforward business hotel close to the station, used to hosting Shimanami riders.
- Imabari Station Hotel — A recently opened budget hotel a minute from the station entrance.
- Shimanami Prime Hotel Imabari — A modern business hotel in central Imabari within reach of the station and port.
How to spend your time in Shimanami Kaido & Imabari
Half day
Train from Matsuyama to Imabari, rent at the station or Sunrise Itoyama, ride over the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge to Oshima and back, then Imabari Castle and yakitori before the train home.
One full day
Imabari to Onomichi in one go: Oshima by mid-morning, lunch on Hakata, the Cyclists’ Sanctuary at Tatara Bridge, then Ikuchijima, Innoshima and Mukaishima to the ferry into Onomichi by late afternoon. Send your luggage ahead.
Two days
Day one: Imabari, Kirosan, Oshima and Hakata to a guesthouse on Omishima, with a detour to Oyamazumi Shrine. Day two: Tatara Bridge and the three Hiroshima islands to Onomichi.
Shimanami Kaido & Imabari: frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?
No. The route is well signed, mostly flat between bridges and the ramps are gentle. Regular riders manage it in a day; beginners and families are happier over two days or on an e-bike.
Can I do the Shimanami Kaido without cycling?
Yes. Highway buses cross the whole route, local buses reach Omishima and the other islands from Imabari, and with a rental car you can stop at every viewpoint. The bridges also have walkways.
Is there a toll for bicycles?
Cyclists have ridden the bridges free for years under a campaign that has been renewed repeatedly. It is worth checking the current status, but the amounts involved are small in any case.
Where can I leave or send my luggage?
Use coin lockers if you are returning to the same city, or a same-day luggage forwarding service between Imabari and Onomichi if you are riding one way. Your hotel can arrange it.
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