How to get to, around, and back from the Shimanami Kaido

Where is the Shimanami Kaido?

The 70-km island-hopping Shimanami Kaido cycling route crosses six of the hundreds of islands in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, connecting the retro port town of Onomichi with the shipbuilding center of Imabari.

Onomichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture on the island of Honshu is about 80 km east of Hiroshima City and about 120 km west of Osaka. Imabari, in Ehime Prefecture, is located on the northern tip of western Shikoku, approximately 45 km from Matsuyama.

Getting to the Shimanami Kaido?

To Onomichi

●4 to 5 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen (transfer at Fukuyama Station)
●Approximately 2 hours from Osaka by Shinkansen (transfer at Fukuyama Station)
●1 to 2 hours from Hiroshima by train
●Approximately 90 minutes from Hiroshima by Highway Bus

To Imabari

●1 to 2 hours from Matsuyama by train
●Approximately 80 minutes from Matsuyama by Highway Bus
●Approximately 3 hours from Hiroshima by Highway Bus (direct)
●Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes from Takamatsu by Highway Bus
●Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes from Takamatsu by train

Overnight Ferry to the Shimanami Kaido

A unique and relaxing way to make the journey to and from the Shimanami Kaido from the Osaka area is on the Orange Ferry. This overnight ferry service sails between Nanko Ferry Terminal in Osaka to Toyo Port on Shikoku which is about 20 km east of Imabari. The ferry has private cabins, a big public bath and you can roll your bike on board as it is, so no need to take it apart and put it in a rinko bike bag as on a train or a bus. Check out Road Rental Japan’s excellent YouTube video all about taking the Orange Ferry.

Getting around the Shimanami Kaido

There are no train services on the Shimanami Kaido and bus services are limited and difficult to navigate. Driving has the advantage of being able to get to those hard to reach places, but, as you must take the expressway to cross from island to island, you can find yourself doing a lot of doubling back and bridge tolls can soon add up.

It is no surprise then, that most visitors get around the island by bicycle, either bringing their own or renting one from Shimanami Japan or one of the other private bicycle rental companies that operate in the region.

An often overlooked resource are the ferries that travel between the islands. Although much reduced since the opening of Shimanami’s now famous bridges, several services continue to operate, many of which allow bicycles on board too.

The ferry between Onomichi and Setoda is great for transporting you to the heart of Shimanami and is a scenic transportation option for doing a day trip to Setoda. Ferries are still the only way to access the beautiful Kamijima Islands that are connected by the Yumeshima Kaido bike route and ferries that serve these islands connect to several of the Shimanami islands and Imabari.

Onward travel from the Shimanami Kaido

Returning to Onomichi and Hiroshima from Imabari

The easiest way to get back from Imabari to Onomichi is by taking the Shimanami Liner highway bus to Fukuyama JR Station and transferring to a local train to Onomichi. There are departures from Imabari JR Station and Imabari Port throughout the day and reservations are not required.

https://www.chugokubus.jp/highwaybus/hb11

There is also a Shimanami Liner highway bus that runs between Imabari and Hirohsima. However, at time of writing, there are only 3 departures a day.

https://www.hiroko-group.co.jp/kotsu/kousoku/shimanami/jikoku.htm

From Imabari to Matsuyama

Matsuyama is a great place to spend a day or two with its historical Dogo Onsen hot spring and impressive hilltop castle. Depending on the train, it takes between 1 and 2 hours to travel to Matsuyama from Imabari by train and approximately 80 minutes from Matsuyama by highway bus.

To the Yumeshima Kaido

Four of the picturesque and laidback Kamijima Islands (Yuge, Iwagi, Ikina and Sashima) are connected by the Yumeshima Kaido bike route and are well worth a visit if you have time. Ferries leave Imabari Port throughout the day.

To the Tobishima Kaido

Ferries from Imabari take you to Okamura Port where you can join another of the region’s islam-hopping bike routes, the Tobishima Kaido.
*Please note that Shimanami Japan’s rental cycles cannot be taken to the Tobishima Kaido.