How to Bike Along the Shimanami Kaido

Completed in 1999, the Shimanami Kaido was built with bicyclists in mind, making it a popular and unique tourist destination for both casual and advanced riders the world over. If you’re planning on giving it a shot, here are a few things you need to know.

First you need a bike, unless you brought one with you to Japan (and many people do!). As the Shimanami Kaido is the main tourist attraction in both Imabari and Onomichi, there are plenty of shops both renting and selling bikes. Your options range from standard road bikes for around 1,000 yen per day, to premium options such as carbon fiber or even electric assist models.
Most rental companies also require you to pay a deposit of around 1,000 yen, which will be returned to you once you return the bike.

The majority of rental shops are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, although a few, such as the Chuo Rental Cycle Terminal in Imabari extend their operating hours from 8:00am to 8:00pm during the peak season of April to September. A helmet is recommended and in some cases required, but it usually comes included in the rental fee.

So what bike should you get? We would suggest that you go for something in the mid-range, especially if you’re planning on doing the entire route, as your legs and your bum will most certainly not appreciate the cheapest options. If you are unsure if you will be able to complete the entire stretch, an electric assisted bike is recommended, as this will make the uphill sections that much easier to traverse.

Get a bike

Another important factor to consider is the return procedure of the bike. Unless you are planning on doing the entire route and then going all the way back again, you will probably want to use a company that has multiple drop off points along the way.

Get a bike

There are several toll stations along the Shimanami Kaido. As a cyclist, however, you do not have to pay any tolls during the entire stretch. This is a part of a program to promote tourism to the area. From April 2018, a toll fee in the range of a few hundred yen is planned to be introduced.
It is however advised that you take a ferry over the strait that separates Onomichi from Mukaishima. Although there are two bridges across, one of them does not accept cyclists, and the other one has a very narrow bicycle lane. The cost to take a ferry is approximately 100 yen.

Bridge tolls & Ferry cost

Accidents such as flat tires (or worse) do occur to cyclists frequently. Fortunately, there are several shops along the route that can help in case you need them. In case you do find yourself with a flat tire, we recommend that you head to the nearest drop-off point as these tend to have experienced staff that should be able to help you out.
If you have an accident or for some other reason need to go back to either Imabari and Onomichi as quickly as possible, there’s a bus called the Shimanami Cycle Express that might be very useful for you. The bus runs three times every day in both directions, and it’s the only means of public transportation along the Shimanami Kaido that allows you to bring your bike on board. The cost varies by distance, with the entire route from Imabari to Onomichi (or vice versa) costing 2,250 yen.

In case you get a flat tire or have an accident

In case you get a flat tire or have an accident

Seto Inland Sea Shimanami Kaido

Hiroshima Prefecture Onomichi City - Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

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