Shimanami Kaido

What to know

The Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道) is a 60-kilometer toll road linking Honshu to Shikoku across six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Also called the Nishiseto Expressway, it is the only land connection between the two main islands that can be crossed on foot or by bicycle.

Starting in Onomichi City on Honshu, the route crosses Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima, and Oshima before ending in Imabari City on Shikoku. Opened in 1999, the bridges are modern and scenic, offering beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea and charming island towns.

Along the way, highlights include the Hirayama Museum on Ikuchijima, dedicated to the famous painter Hirayama Ikuo (born there), and the unique Kosanji Temple built by a wealthy businessman. For those wanting to stretch the journey over several days, there are minshuku and campgrounds on the islands.

Cycling is a popular way to experience the Shimanami Kaido. The bike route is well-marked and maintained, diverging from the expressway on the islands. Ramps to the bridges are gently sloped for cyclists. At about 70 kilometers, the bike path is slightly longer than the toll road but has no steep climbs, so intermediate cyclists can comfortably complete it in a day.

Two bicycle rental systems operate along the route: the regular system has about ten terminals, while a newer one by Giant has two. Both allow one-way rentals. With the regular system, you can also stop at a terminal and take a bus for the rest of the trip.

The regular rental system is cheaper and has more terminals. Various bike types are available, though smaller terminals have limited choices. Fees are 3,000 yen per day for regular bikes, 4,000 yen for electric-assist and tandems, and 8,000 yen for e-bikes. Bikes can be dropped off at different terminals except tandems, which must be returned to the same terminal. Online reservations are possible but not required.