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.


Infectious Disease Control and Safety Measure Guidelines for the users

　
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.

Model courses

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

  adult Child 12 and under deposit
mini-velo, cross bike, city cycle adult2,000 yen per day child under elementary school500 yen per day Adult 1,100 yen
Child 12 and under 500 yen
tandem bike※1 adult3,000 yen per day child under elementary school—
electric assist bike※2 adult2,500 yen per day child under elementary school—
deposit adult1,100 yen child under elementary school—
E-bike※3
（for sports）		 adult7,000 yen per day child under elementary school— Adult 5,000 yen

* Please note that the fees are subject to change.


  • Please make a payment on the spot and cash only.
  • 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.
About tandem bike

Please return the tandem bike to the same terminal you rented from on the same day. Renting the Tandem bike is not available for 2 and more days. Tandem is only available at Setoda Sunset Beach and Sunrise Itoyama.

About electric assist bike

Electric assist bike is only for adult. Please return the electric assist bike to the same terminal you rented from on the same day. Renting the electric assist bike is not available for 2 and more days.

About E-bike

E-bike is only available at Onomichi Port Terminal and Chuo Terminal. Please return the E-bike to Onomichi Port terminal, Chuo Rental Cycle terminal(From Onomichi port is excluded) or JR Imabari Station Cycling terminal(From Chuo Rental Cycle is excluded) on the same day. Renting the E-bike is not available for 2 and more days. Minimum height requirement is 155cm tall.

About kid’s bike

・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.

mini-velo bike
This is a high-spec sports cycle that delivers comfortable riding and quick starts thanks to its small wheels. It also features good maneuverability that allows users to easily explore the city.
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cross bike
This bicycle is lightweight, fast, and maneuverable, and is recommended for those riding a sports bike for the first time. It is also recommended for persons planning to cycle long distances.
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city cycle
This is an ordinary city bike with a basket mounted on the front.
It includes multiple gears for easy cycling.
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tandem bike
This is a two-person sports type, and is available at Setoda Sunset Beach and Sunrise Itoyama.
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electric powered bike
This bicycle is equipped with a motor and battery to assist with the force needed to move the pedals.
It makes cycling up hills a breeze!
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junior's bicycle
Bicycles for children are also available. Parents can cross the Shimanami Kaido together with their children!
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E-bike
“E-bike” assists the rider’s pedal-power, which will be enjoyed regardless of age, gender, or physical strength. E-bike will enable you to go around various sightseeing spots in the distance and offer a wider range of cycling experience. E-bike is only for adult.
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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 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Imabari 10
JR Imabari Station Rental Cycle
(i.i.imabari! Cycle Station)		 2-773-8, Kitahorai, Imabari-shi, Ehime 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Imabari   Return point in Imabari City
Designated Japanese inn “Ryokan” and Hotel (Only guests can be returned, but not rented.)
* Bicycle Parking Area under JR Imabari Station overpass is no longer available from April 2020.

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 such as mini velo bikes, city bikes and electric bikes. Information can be found in (About bicycle rental) as well.

  • Do any of the rental bikes include child seats?

    There are approximately 20 rental 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.

  • 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