How to rent high-quality road bikes on the Shimanami Kaido

2025/8/27

Here are the best rental services where you can rent high-quality road bikes on the Shimanami Kaido. In Imabari, you can rent from GIANT Store and CYCLEFIX, while in Onomichi, GIANT Store and The Red Bicycles Onomichi are available. Some of these services also allow one-way cycling between Imabari and Onomichi.

Shimanami Kaido

Cycling Through the Islands on a Road Bike

The Shimanami Kaido, often called one of the world’s top seven cycling routes, is a scenic route connecting Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture across the Seto Inland Sea. Cyclists and pedestrians cross the islands via beautifully designed bridges, with dedicated paths ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride. The area is widely recognized as one of Japan’s best cycling destinations, especially for riders looking to enjoy breathtaking island views.

The recommended cycling route is marked with a blue line, making navigation easy even for first-time visitors. Bridges are equipped with gentle slopes, and the area offers many cyclist-friendly restaurants and accommodations. In recent years, more rental services have been introduced along the Shimanami Kaido, giving riders access to a wide range of bicycles—from beginner-friendly cross bikes to high-performance carbon road bikes.

Renting a Road Bike

If you regularly ride a road bike but don’t want the hassle of bringing your own to Japan, renting is the perfect solution. There are also great options if you usually ride a cross bike and want to try a road bike for the first time, or if you simply want to enjoy the Shimanami Kaido on a high-performance bike for the best possible experience.

The shortest route between Imabari and Onomichi is about 70–80 km, but if you include detours around the islands, the total distance can exceed 200 km. Renting a road bike gives you the freedom to explore beyond the main route—whether it’s taking scenic detours or challenging yourself with hill climbs to viewpoints. With a road bike, your range of travel expands compared to a cross bike, allowing you to discover many hidden spots and lesser-known attractions along the Shimanami Kaido.

Some Services Allow One-Way Rentals

The public rental service called “Shimanami Rental Cycle” lets you return your bike at various locations along the Shimanami Kaido, making it convenient for flexible cycling plans. However, their fleet mainly consists of cross bikes, and they currently do not offer road bikes. If you are used to riding a road bike, traveling with a cross bike or city bike may feel less comfortable and more tiring.

Some of the road bike rental services introduced in this guide allow you to pick up a bike in Imabari or Onomichi and drop it off at the other end. These one-way rental options are especially useful if you’re planning to cycle the Shimanami Kaido in just one direction without riding back.

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Renting a Road Bike in Imabari

Example Plan Starting from Imabari

Here’s an example cycling plan where you rent a road bike near Imabari Station on the Ehime side of the Shimanami Kaido, cycle to Onomichi, and return to Imabari using public transportation. In most cases, road bikes rented from local shops must be returned during their business hours, so it’s important to plan your schedule carefully.

There are two main road bike rental providers around Imabari Station. The first is the GIANT Store Imabari, located inside the station building. The second is CYCLEFIX, a local bike shop in the town. Each service offers different types of road bikes and varying rental price ranges, so it’s worth comparing them based on your needs.

GIANT Store Imabari

My Personal No.1 Recommendation

For renting a road bike on the Shimanami Kaido, my top recommendation is the rental service offered by the GIANT Store.

This is the official shop of Giant, a world-famous Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer founded in 1972 by King Liu. Giant is known for producing high-quality bikes at reasonable prices and has earned a strong reputation worldwide. In recent years, they’ve also introduced their women’s-specific brand “LIV.” From professional-grade road bikes to casual everyday bicycles, Giant continues to support and expand the global cycling community.

The GIANT Store Imabari is located inside JR Imabari Station, making it extremely convenient to access. In addition to selling their own brand of bikes, the shop also offers a road bike rental service. You can also find cycling gear such as jerseys, bottles, and accessories. I’ve personally purchased cycling items here before, and the staff were very friendly and helpful, creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

Bike Shop	GIANT Store Imabari
Address	1-729-8 Kitahorai-cho, Imabari City
Business Hours	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Closed	Tuesdays
Feature	A specialty sports bike shop located inside Imabari Station

Types of Rental Road Bikes & Pricing

Although the GIANT Store also rents cross bikes and kids’ bikes, their main focus is, of course, road bikes from their own brand. You can choose from three different classes of road bikes depending on quality, material, and performance.

・Entry-Level Aluminum Road Bike

・Carbon Road Bike

・Premium Carbon Road Bike

If you usually ride a cross bike but want to try road biking on this trip, the entry-level aluminum road bike is a great choice. It’s the most affordable option among the three and is beginner-friendly. If you’re already comfortable with road bikes, the carbon road bike is a solid upgrade. The premium carbon road bike is ideal for those who want to treat themselves to the highest-quality experience or simply enjoy riding the best bike available.

The rental fees at the GIANT Store vary depending on the rental period. There are three main rental duration options to choose from:

・5 Hours (No One-Way Rental Option)

・Full-Day Rental

・Overnight (1 Night, 2 Days)

If you exceed the return time or need to rent for more than three days, additional charges will apply. For example, renting a carbon road bike for a full day typically costs around 7,000 JPY to 9,000 JPY, including insurance, depending on the season.

Helmet & Repair Kit Rentals

All GIANT Store bike rentals include a helmet at no extra cost. A spare inner tube and a basic repair kit are also provided. If you use any of these consumable items during your ride, you’ll simply pay for them when you return the bike.

E-Bike Rentals

In recent years, GIANT has been expanding its lineup of electric-assist sports bicycles, known as E-bikes. GIANT Store Imabari also offers E-bike rentals, which can be a great option if you’re worried about stamina or if you’re riding with someone who’s more experienced and faster than you.

Renting an E-bike for a full day typically costs around 10,000 JPY to 13,000 JPY, including insurance, depending on the season. A fully charged battery can last for over 90 km, making it a reliable option for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

How to Book a Rental

You can make reservations for rental bikes at GIANT Store Imabari through the official GIANT Store website.

On the official website, you can check the available bike models, height compatibility, detailed pricing, and other important information for each GIANT Store location. Make sure to choose the bike that best suits your needs for your Shimanami cycling adventure.

　

CYCLEFIX

Another shop where you can rent a road bike in Imabari is CYCLEFIX, a privately owned specialty bike shop located about 600 meters from Imabari Station. The shop is run by a friendly owner who manages everything himself.

Bike Shop	CYCLEFIX
Address	1-8-21 Kitahiyoshi-cho, Imabari City
Business Hours	11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Available from 8:30 AM with advance reservation
Closed	Wednesdays
Feature	A privately owned bike shop within walking distance of Imabari Station

Types and Rental Fees for Road Bikes

The road bikes available at CYCLEFIX are aluminum road bikes, which are relatively easy to ride even for beginners. Advanced reservations are required. The rental fee is 5,500 JPY per day, and you can extend the rental for an additional 3,300 JPY per day. Insurance costs 220 JPY per day. Although CYCLEFIX normally opens at 11:00, you can pick up your bike from 8:30 a.m. if you make a reservation in advance. If you prefer using your own clipless pedals, you can bring them and have them installed on the rental bike.

Unless you use a bike return service like WAKKA, you’ll need to return the rental bike to the shop by 5:30 p.m.

Helmet and Repair Kit Rentals

All CYCLEFIX bike rentals include a helmet. In addition, you’ll receive a spare inner tube, a basic repair kit, a front light, and a lock. Please note that if you use any of the consumables, you’ll be charged an additional fee when returning the bike.

How to Reserve a CYCLEFIX Rental

You can reserve an aluminum road bike from CYCLEFIX via their official website. The site provides detailed information, including bike photos, height compatibility, and rental conditions. Be sure to check before making your booking.

　

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Renting a Road Bike in Onomichi

Sample Plan Starting from Onomichi

This is an example model course starting from Onomichi Station on the Hiroshima side of the Shimanami Kaido. You can rent a road bike in Onomichi, cycle to Imabari, and return using a combination of cycling and public transportation. Keep in mind that when renting from a bike shop, you usually need to return the bike within business hours.

There are two main shops around Onomichi Station where you can rent road bikes. The first is GIANT Store Onomichi, located inside the multi-purpose facility ONOMICHI U2. The second is The Red Bicycles Onomichi, a local bike shop in the Onomichi shopping arcade. The types of road bikes available and rental prices differ between the two shops.

GIANT Store Onomichi

There are GIANT stores on both the Onomichi and Imabari sides of the Shimanami Kaido. The stores were established after the chairman of Giant Bicycles visited the area in May 2012 for the “Taiwan-Japan Friendship Shimanami Kaido Cycling Tour,” a four-day cycling event. This event led to the opening of two official GIANT stores along the route.

The Onomichi GIANT store is located inside the ONOMICHI U2 complex, which also includes a hotel, bakery, restaurant, and lifestyle shops. It’s conveniently located about 500 meters from Onomichi Station, making it easily accessible for visitors.

ONOMICHI U2 is a renovated former warehouse located on the Onomichi waterfront. Inside, you’ll find Hotel CYCLE, a cycling-themed hotel where guests can bring their bikes into their rooms, making it a popular choice for cyclists riding the Shimanami Kaido.

Shop	GIANT Store Onomichi
Address	5-11 Nishigosho-cho, Onomichi City
Hours	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Closed	Open every day
Feature	Located inside the ONOMICHI U2 complex

Types of Bikes and Rental Fees

The types of road bikes and pricing at GIANT Store Onomichi are exactly the same as at GIANT Store Imabari. You can choose from three bike classes: aluminum, carbon, and premium carbon. Rental periods include 5 hours, full-day, or overnight options. Unlike the Imabari store, the Onomichi location has no regular closing days, so rentals are available year-round.

You can make reservations through the official GIANT rental website. The site provides detailed information on available bike models, recommended height ranges, and pricing for GIANT Store Onomichi.

The Red Bicycles Onomichi

Another shop where you can rent road bikes in Onomichi is The Red Bicycles Onomichi. This is a privately-owned specialty store for sports bicycles, located about 400 meters from JR Onomichi Station. The shop is tucked away in the local shopping street and is managed by a friendly owner who runs the store by himself.

Bike Shop	The Red Bicycles Onomichi
Address	1-10-1 Tsuchido, Onomichi City
Hours	8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Closed	Wednesdays & Thursdays
Feature	A privately-owned local shop in Onomichi’s shopping street

Available Road Bikes & Pricing

At The Red Bicycles Onomichi, you can rent their signature red aluminum road bikes. These bikes are beginner-friendly and comfortable to ride. The rental price is 3,850 JPY per day, and there are options for overnight (2-day) rentals as well as plans for 3 days or more. A helmet, repair kit, front light, and bike lock are included. You can also switch to clipless pedals (Shimano SPD/SPD-SL) if you bring your own shoes.

One of the key advantages here is that The Red Bicycles Onomichi offers lower prices compared to Giant Store for the same bike class. They also rent out electric assist cross bikes (E-bikes), making it a great choice for those who want an easier ride or want to try an E-bike experience.

Unless you use a bike return service such as WAKKA’s Return Assistance, you’ll need to return the road bike to the shop by 5:30 PM.

Booking a Rental

You can make reservations for The Red Bicycles Onomichi through their official website. You can check available models, recommended rider heights, and detailed conditions before booking.

BETTER BICYCLES

BETTER BICYCLES is located inside the Onomichi Share complex along the Onomichi Waterway. This shop focuses mainly on renting stylish, city-friendly bicycles under its own brand but also has a limited number of road bikes available for rent.

Bike Shop	BETTER BICYCLES Onomichi
Address	2-10-24 Tsuchido, Onomichi City (Inside Onomichi Share)
Hours	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed	Wednesdays
Feature	A stylish bike shop focusing on urban cycling

　

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One-Way Cycling Options

Giant’s One-Way Plan

Since there are Giant Stores located in both Imabari and Onomichi, they offer a special One-Way Cycling Plan as part of their road bike rental service. By reserving this option, you can, for example, rent a road bike at the Giant Store in Imabari and return it at the Giant Store in Onomichi.

If you want to use this one-way option, make sure to select the One-Way Plan when making your road bike rental reservation. An additional fee of 3,300 JPY applies for returning the bike at a different store. Please note that the number of bikes available for this service is limited.

This plan is available for road bike rentals only. It cannot be used for cross bikes, kids’ bikes, or other types of rentals. Also, please note that if the Giant Store Imabari is closed on the day you plan to return the bike, you will not be able to return it there.

WAKKA Bike Return Service

WAKKA, a private cycling support complex located on Omishima Island, offers a bike return service for privately rented bicycles. There is high demand for one-way cycling trips along the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari to Onomichi, and for many cyclists, returning the bike to the rental shop is not practical within their travel schedule.

The WAKKA official website lists partner rental shops that participate in this return service. Before using the service, check if the rental service you plan to use is a partner. At the time of research, both Giant Stores, CYCLEFIX, and The Red Bicycles Onomichi were all listed as partners.

By booking this service in advance with WAKKA, you can return your road bike at any location along the islands between Imabari and Onomichi without going back to the original rental shop. You meet WAKKA staff at the designated location, hand over your bike after a quick check, and pay the service fee for the return service.

Since tolls on the Shimanami Kaido are quite high even for service providers, WAKKA’s bike return service also has a relatively high fee. Using it for just one bike can feel expensive. This service is most practical for group rides rather than solo riders.

Bike Return Service	WAKKA
Address	6691-1 Iguchi, Kamiura-cho, Imabari City
Hours	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed	Tuesday
Features	Cycling support complex on Ōmishima Island

Using Public Transportation

When cycling the Shimanami Kaido with a rented road bike, unless you use the Giant Store one-way plan or WAKKA’s bike return service, you will need to return the bike to the rental shop. Considering that even the shortest one-way distance along the Shimanami Kaido is around 70–80 km, riding back and forth can be very challenging in terms of time and physical effort.

In such cases, using ferries can be a useful way to shorten your route. While buses usually make it difficult to carry a bike, ferries allow you to load your bicycle without disassembling or bagging it. Currently, there is no direct ferry between Imabari and Onomichi, but various combinations of routes can be used to reach your destination efficiently.

Using Ferries and Passenger Ships

We introduce convenient ferry, passenger ship, and high-speed boat routes for Shimanami Kaido cycling. This includes options for half rides along the Shimanami Kaido, cycling the Yumeshi­ma Kaido, or traveling by boat from Imabari or Onomichi to the intermediate islands. Knowing these options in advance can help you plan your trip better. We also cover ferry routes connecting major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka to Onomichi or Imabari, the gateways to the Shimanami Kaido.

Price Comparison

Here is a comparison of prices for road bike rentals along the Shimanami Kaido. While bikes may be in the same class, there are naturally differences in details, as well as other “priceless” factors such as staff friendliness and additional services. Below is a comparison of one-day rental prices (including tax and insurance) for entry-level aluminum road bikes. This can serve as a reference when choosing a rental service.

Rental Shop	Price
Giant Store Imabari	¥4,950–6,600
CYCLEFIX	¥5,720
Giant Store Onomichi	¥4,950–6,600
The Red Bicycles Onomichi	¥4,050

※Please check the official websites for the latest rental prices and availability.

In this page, we have summarized how to rent a road bike along the Shimanami Kaido and options for one-way bike returns. The Shimanami Kaido is perfect for beginners and experienced cyclists alike, allowing everyone to enjoy cycling with peace of mind. For more detailed information about cycling along the Shimanami Kaido, please refer to the following page.