Refresh yourself with bike on Shimanami!

The Shimanami Kaido is an aerial path across the Seto Inland Sea that draws cyclists from all over the world for its vistas of rich, natural beauty.
Now you can enjoy the convenient pleasure of riding a rental bike across the Shimanami Kaido.

 
Reservation  

Beginner’s Guide

The appeal of cycling

People enjoy cycling because they can travel under their own power, at their own pace, in a way that is both stimulating and relaxing.

The indescribable sense of achievement upon reaching the destination is something that cyclists seek.

The journey is good exercise for health and weight loss!

The appeal of cycling

Wonders of the Shimanami Kaido

With a total length of around 70 km, the Shimanami Kaido is the best cycling road in Japan, and was featured by CNN as one of the top seven cycling spots in the world. Visitors can enjoy the scenery, sea, wind, and air ? all of which change dynamically with the seasons.

There are approximately 140 rest spots called as “Cycle Oasis” offering rest, water and toilets, at guest houses, gas stations and other facilities along the Shimanami Kaido.

Wonders of the Shimanami Kaido

Model courses

For beginners, expect to travel at a pace of 10 km/hr. Approximately 30 km is suitable for a half-day, or 50 km for a full day.
Beginners riding the full 70 km length of the Shimanami Kaido should expect the trip to take 10 hours or more.
You should depart by 8:00 AM.
Persons with more experience can complete the journey in 6 ? 8 hours.

However, travel times vary largely when travelers are concerned primarily with taking photos and the scenery, or when traveling in a large group. It is possible to cycle part-way and return with the bicycle by boat.

When you click the “Model courses”, you can see the Shimanami Kaido map.
Yellow line indicates beginner course, dark blue line indicates intermediate course, sky blue line indicates advanced course, sky blue dot-line indicates outer circle course, red line indicates ferry routes and star indicates sightseeing spots.

Model courses
Clothing
Top Regular clothing is OK for a beginner course. For persons intending to cycle farther, polyester or other fiber that will not absorb sweat is ideal. To protect yourself from the strong summer sun, a long-sleeved dry mesh shirt may be suitable. Think sporty and casual!
Bottom Jeans are not flexible and should be avoided on any but the beginner courses.
Shorts or cargo pants are recommended for men. Women should avoid skirts and long pants. Leggings or similar attire may be a good idea.
It is important to wear pants that will not make pedaling the bicycle difficult. Pants with wide bottoms may get caught in the pedals or bicycle chain.
Do not cycle wearing sandals. Doing so may cause an accident. Sneakers are best. Be sure to tuck any extra lengths of shoelaces inside the shoes.
Clothing
Other items to bring

Some of the bicycles are not equipped with baskets.
It is recommended that you carry supplies on your back, in a backpack or other suitable bag.
Limit the items you bring with you as much as possible.

However, if you have many luggage, it will take a long time to do cycling more than your expected time. Please have enough time to do cycling on your planned route. If you would like to leave your luggage, please put your luggage in a coin locker. And please refer to FAQ .
Drinks and towels are essential.
If there is the possibility of rain, raincoats or other rain gear will be necessary. Cycling while carrying an umbrella is prohibited.
The sunshine is strong during the summer. Sunscreen is essential. Sunglasses and other sun protection are also recommended.

Other items to bring
How to ride your bicycle safety
  • Ride on the left side of road.
  • Don’t ride your bicycles side by side.
  • If your group contains 5 or more persons, you should divide into two groups.
  • Don’t use an umbrella and a mobile phone while riding a bicycle. If you do, you can be fined.
  • Please don’t ride a bicycle during night.

Rental

*Please note that fees are subject to change due to various circumstances.

  Adult Child 12 and under※4 Pick-up terminal Return terminal Available day
cross bike,city cycle 3,000 yen per day
(tax included)
1,000 yen per day
(tax included)
10 terminals 10 terminals+ Multiple days OK
electric assist bike※1 4,000 yen per day
(tax included)
No1,No4,No5,No6,No9 10 terminals+ Same day
E-bike※2 8,000 yen per day
(tax included)
  No1,No9 No1,No9,No10 Same day
tandem bike※3 4,000 yen per day
(tax included)
No5,No9 Same terminal Same day
More than 20 students Student group
(junior high school and higher)
Student groups
(elementary school and younger)
One way fee
cross bike,city cycle 2,000 yen per day
(tax included)
500 yen per day
(tax included)
junior high+ 1,000yen(tax included)
elementary 500yen(tax included)

*Group application form must be submitted in advance.


  • Please make a payment on the spot. Major credit cards are accepted.
About electric assist bike

・Please return it within business hours on the same day.
・Only available at Onomichi Port Terminal, Setoda Tourist Information Center Terminal, Setoda Sunset Beach Terminal, Kamiura Terminal and Chuo Terminal.
・The battery will last approx. 4 or 5 hours.

About E-bike

・For adults only. ・Please return it within business hours on the same day. ・Target height 155 cm or more. 
・Available at Terminal No. 1 Onomichi Port Terminal and No. 9 Chuo Terminal.
・Returnable to Terminal No. 1 Onomichi Port Terminal, No. 9 Chuo Terminal or No. 10 JR Imabari Station Cycle Terminal.

About tandem bike

・Please return the tandem bike to the same terminal you rented from on the same day.
・Tandem is only available at Setoda Sunset Beach and Sunrise Itoyama. Multi-day rentals are not available.

About Child 12 and under

・Please fill in his/her height in the remarks column in the reservation form.
・It is unavailable at JR Imabari Station Cycling terminal.

Bicycle rental fee includes helmet rental fee.
If you rent our bicycles, you can rent our helmet for free.
A bike lock is attached to each bicycle.

About Rental Bike

Click on an image to get more information.

Notice

Important information concerning the rental bikes
  • Be sure to return your bicycle within the terminal business hours.
  • If you are in an accident, your bike breaks down, or you have other problems, please contact Shimanami Japan (0848-22-3911).
  • If bicycles or any of their accessories are damaged, stolen, or lost, you will be required to reimburse us.
  • No responsibility will be taken for accidents, theft, or other incidents that are not the fault of the business operator.
  • This company shall arrange an insurance coverage for cyclists which may respond in such an event of the cyclist’s hospitalization resulting from an unexpected accident in connection with the ordinary usage of the bicycle. (Kindly note that outpatient treatment is NOT within the scope of the insurance policy)
    The insurance policy will be subject to the limits of liability and JPY4,500 per day for hospitalization respectively.
    Should a cyclist require any larger coverage than the above-mentioned, the company would advise the cyclist to consider the arrangement of additional insurance coverage on his or her own cost.
Important information about cycling
  • Bicycles are vehicles. Ride on the left side of the road and observe all traffic rules. Maintain a safe distance from cars and other bicycles, and be careful to ride safely.
  • The ramps from each bridge to the ordinary roads are steep. Be careful to maintain a safe speed.
  • When cycling on a sidewalk where bicycles are permitted, travel carefully on the side closer to the road and take care not to interfere with the passage of pedestrians.
  • Please don’t do cycling at night.
  • Helmets should be worn for safety.
  • Course map plates, signs, blue lines, and other markers are installed along the recommended courses.
  • Please don’t load our rental-bicycle in JR trains, buses, cars and taxies.
  • Please don’t disassemble our rental-bicycles.
  • Please don’t exchange and remove any parts of our rental-bicycles.
  • When bicycle problem like flat tire happens, our support service for replacing a bicycle is available only following areas: Onomichi urban area, Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima, Oshima and Imabari urban aera.

Terminal

Terminal(Onomichi Side)

District name No. Terminal Name Address Open
Onomichi 1 Onomichi Port
(Inside the car parking)
Higashigoshocho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima [Mar. – Nov.]
7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
[Dec.- Feb.]
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mukaishima 2 Civic Center Mukaishima 5531-1, Mukaishimacho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima [Mar. – Nov.]
8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
[Dec. – Feb.]
8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Innoshima 3 Habu Port
(Municipal Central Car Park)
1899-31, Innoshima Habucho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima [Mar. – Nov.]
8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
[Dec. – Feb.]
8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Ikuchijima 4 Setoda Tourist Information Center 200-5, Sawa, Setodacho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ikuchijima 5 Setoda Sunset Beach 1506-15, Tarumi, Setodacho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Terminal(Imabari Side)

District name No. Terminal Name Address Open
Omishima 6 Kamiura Rental Cycle
(Tatara Shimanami Park)
9180-2, Inokuchi, Kamiuracho, Imabari-shi, Ehime 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hakatajima 7 Hakata Rental Cycle
(Hakata S・C Park)
1668-1, Kanoura, Hakatacho, Imabari-shi, Ehime 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Oshima 8 Yoshiumi Rental Cycle Terminal
(Yoshiumi Iki-Iki Kan)
4520-2, Yoshiumichomyo, Imabari-shi, Ehime 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Imabari 9 Chuo Rental Cycle
(Sunrise Itoyama)
2-8-1, Sunabacho, Imabari-shi, Ehime [Mar. – Nov.]
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
[Dec. – Feb.]
8:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m.
Imabari 10
JR Imabari Station Rental Cycle
(i.i.imabari! Cycle Station)
2-773-8, Kitahorai, Imabari-shi, Ehime [Mar. – Nov.]
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
[Dec. – Feb.]
8:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m.
Imabari   Return point in Imabari City
Designated Japanese inn “Ryokan” and Hotel (Only guests can be returned, but not rented.)
Return point in Imabari City
Designated Japanese inn “Ryokan” and Hotel (Only guests can be returned, but not rented.)

Please contact the following office if you have any questions.
Shimanami Japan TEL:0848-22-3911
Model courses

FAQ

  • I want to rent a bicycle. Do I need a reservation?

    The Golden Week(from the end of April to the beginning of May, approx.4.29-5.7), Obon (mid August), and other holiday periods are very crowded. Please be sure to make an early reservation. There are some days when reservations cannot be accepted. It is also possible to rent a bicycle on a first-come first-served basis on the day of use.
    For details, please contact us at rentalbike@shimanami-cycle.or.jp.

  • What kinds of rental bikes are available?

    We have a variety of bicycles. Different items are available depending on the terminal.

  • Do any of the rental bikes include child seats?

    There are some bikes available which have rear-mounted child seats.
    Japanese law allows child who is 5 and under to take a child seat.Using a child seat is suitable for child whose weight is under 22kg.

  • How much time does it take to travel the full Shimanami Kaido (Onomichi ? Imabari) by bicycle?

    The total distance is approximately 70 km. Fast cyclists take 4-5 hours, and people with good endurance can finish the journey in 5-6 hours. Beginners and slower riders require around 10 hours. The amount of time also depends on how much time riders spend on activities such as resting, eating, and taking photos along the way.

  • What happens if my bicycle breaks down midway through the course?

    If you have problems with a rental bike during the rental period, please contact Shimanami Japan (0848-22-3911) first. In another way, you can replace bike at our 10 rental bike terminals on the way
    but type of bike might be limited except for regular bike (cross bike and city cycle).

  • Are helmets available for rental?

    The rental cycle fee includes a helmet rental fee.
    Please wear a helmet for your safety.

  • Is there a service where I can leave my baggage? Is there a service that will deliver it to my destination on the same day?

    Please refer to “Cycling Without Baggage Service” managed by Sagawa Express Co,Ltd.

  • I rented a bicycles at Onomichi terminal. When I return the bicycle to Imabari station terminal, will you pay back deposit to me?

    No, deposit will only be refunded if you return the bicycle to the same terminal, or another on the same island you rented the bicycle from.

  • I would like to know how to return to Onomichi from Imabari. Is there any method?

    Please take a bus named Shimanami Liner bound for Fukuyama station(no reservation required) or Hiroshima station (reservation required) at Imabari station or Imabari port and change a bus bound for Onomichi station at Innoshima Ohashi bridge.

  • I would like to know how to get to Onomichi port terminal from Onomichi station.

    When you go out of Onomichi Station from south exit, please cross the large way, Japan National Route 2, and turn right. When you walk about 200 meters along the sea, there is the Onomichi Port Terminal inside the car parking.

  • Can I change the planned return place and time on the way?

    Yes. But please be sure to return the bicycle within the terminal’s business hours. If you return the bicycle after terminal’s business hours, additional fee will be charged to you.

 
Reservation