Shimanami Kaido Parking Guide: Best Places to Park for Cycling

Many visitors to the Shimanami Kaido arrive by rental car, combining a cycling experience with a road trip through Shikoku or the San’yo/San’in region. You can park your car at a convenient lot and enjoy cycling with a rental bike or your own bicycle. I have put together a list of useful parking options near Imabari Station, Onomichi Station, and on the islands along the Shimanami Kaido.

Cycling & Driving

Driving to Imabari or Onomichi

There are two main types of cyclists on the Shimanami Kaido: those who rent a bicycle on-site, and those who bring their own. Several rental bicycle services — including the public rental system — offer a one-way rental option, allowing you to pick up a bike at one end and drop it off at the other. For example, you can rent a bike in Imabari and return it in Onomichi.

If you are arriving by public transport — such as train, bus, or ferry — to JR Imabari Station in Ehime Prefecture or JR Onomichi Station in Hiroshima Prefecture, a one-way cycling route is a very natural and convenient choice, as you don’t need to arrange transportation back to your starting point.

On the other hand, I hear that more and more visitors are arriving by rental car, combining their Shimanami Kaido experience with a broader trip around Shikoku or the Chugoku region. If you can fit a folding bike or road bike in your car, bringing your own bicycle is a great option too.

Using a Parking Lot as Your Base

When cycling with your own car, you will need to leave your vehicle parked while you ride. From your parking spot, you could do an out-and-back ride, loop around an island, or take a bus or ferry back to your car. For more details on rental bikes and model cycling routes, please refer to the following page.

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Parking Lots on the Shimanami Kaido

Below is a selection of municipal and private paid parking lots that are convenient for visitors combining driving and cycling on the Shimanami Kaido. I have organized them by area: around Imabari Station, the islands, and around Onomichi Station.

I have plotted the main parking lots on a Google My Map. Please use this map to get a general sense of each location.

Parking near Imabari Station

The following is a list focused on municipal parking lots in Imabari City. There are options in three areas: around Imabari Station, around Imabari Port, and near the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge.

Parking Lot (Imabari area)	Capacity	Fee
Municipal Imabari Station East Parking Lot No.1	77 standard cars	¥500 / 24 hrs
Municipal Imabari Port Parking Lot No.1	37 standard cars	¥500 / 24 hrs
Municipal Imabari Port Parking Lot No.2	103 standard cars	¥500 / 24 hrs
Municipal Imabari Port Okisu Parking Lot	85 standard cars	¥500 / 24 hrs
Municipal Former Hiyoshi Elementary School Pool Site	34 standard cars	¥330 / 24 hrs
AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshi	2,900 standard cars	Free
Sunrise Itoyama	85 standard cars	Free

If you plan to rent a bicycle, the Municipal Imabari Station East Parking Lot No.1 is conveniently close to the Imabari Station Cycling Terminal. Sunrise Itoyama also has parking and a rental bike terminal on-site. AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshi was opened under the concept of being “the 7th island of the Shimanami Kaido” and is registered as a Shimanami Cycle Oasis (a network of rest stops for cyclists).

Parking on the Islands

The following is a list of mainly municipal parking lots on the islands: Oshima, Hakatajima, and Omishima in Imabari City (Ehime Prefecture), and Mukaishima, Innoshima, and Ikuchijima in Onomichi City (Hiroshima Prefecture).

Island	Parking Lot	Capacity	Fee
Oshima	Roadside Station “Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan”	100 standard cars	Free
Hakatajima	Roadside Station “Hakata SC Park”	300 standard cars	Free
Omishima	Roadside Station “Tatara Shimanami Park”	300 standard cars	Free
Omishima	Roadside Station “Shimanami-no-eki Mishima”	50 standard cars	Free
Omishima	Municipal Fuji Park Parking Lot	50 standard cars	Free
Omishima	Imabari City Omishima Branch Office Temporary Parking Lot	100 standard cars	Free
Ikuchijima	Municipal Setoda Port South Parking Lot	120 standard cars	Free
Ikuchijima	Setoda Sunset Beach	100 standard cars	Free
Innoshima	Municipal Innoshima Central Parking Lot	226 standard cars	¥170 / first 90 min then ¥90 / 30 min
Innoshima	Municipal Nagasaki Parking Lot	125 standard cars	¥140 / first 90 min then ¥90 / 30 min
Innoshima	Innoshima Sports Park	100 standard cars	Free
Mukaishima	Mukaishima Sports Park	300 standard cars	Free*

The Roadside Station “Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan” (Oshima), Roadside Station “Hakata SC Park” (Hakatajima), Roadside Station “Tatara Shimanami Park” (Omishima), and Setoda Sunset Beach (Ikuchijima) all have rental bicycle terminals on-site, so you can easily rent a bike after parking your car. (Note: “Roadside Stations,” known in Japanese as Michi-no-eki, are government-designated rest stops found along national roads throughout Japan, typically offering parking, restrooms, local produce, and tourist information.)

*If using the parking lot for cycling purposes, you must register at the gymnasium office. Not available on closed days.

Parking near Onomichi Station

The following is a list focused on municipal parking lots in the Onomichi city center.

Parking Lot (Onomichi area)	Capacity	Fee
Onomichi Ekimae Port Parking Lot	227 standard cars	¥2,000 / day
Municipal Belpole Parking Lot	199 standard cars	¥2,510 / day
Onomichi City Hall Parking Lot	198 standard cars	¥2,510 / day
Shin-Onomichi Station North Parking Lot	165 standard cars	¥1,320 / day
Shin-Onomichi Station South Parking Lot	34 standard cars	¥1,320 / day

Please note that the parking fees listed on my website reflect the rates at the time of my research and may have since changed.

Onomichi is surrounded by hills, which limits flat space in the city center. As a result, large-capacity, affordable parking lots are relatively scarce. The Onomichi Ekimae Port Parking Lot used to have the Onomichi Port Rental Bicycle Terminal on-site, making it easy to rent a bike after parking (*). There are also several parking options near Shin-Onomichi Station, the Shinkansen stop for the area (note: Shin-Onomichi Station is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen but is not a stop for the faster Nozomi or Hikari services — only Kodama trains stop here).

*From October 2025, the Onomichi Port Rental Bicycle Terminal has relocated to the Onomichi Station Building.

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Recommended Parking by Island

Here is a photo guide to the most convenient parking spots along the Shimanami Kaido route between Imabari and Onomichi, ideal for cyclists who bring their own bikes or want to rent one nearby. Several of these lots are located close to rental bicycle terminals, making it easy to get on the road right after you park.

Rental Bikes on the Shimanami Kaido

The rental bicycle system on the Shimanami Kaido is very well-organized. Staffed rental terminals are available not only in Imabari and Onomichi but also on the islands in between, giving you plenty of flexibility in how you plan your ride. For a full breakdown of the rental bike options, please see the page below.

Imabari Station East Parking Lot No.1 (Imabari)

This municipal parking lot is located right next to JR Imabari Station on the Yosan Line. It is a paid lot with an automated gate for entry and exit. Despite its prime location in front of the station, the rates are relatively affordable, making it a popular choice for leaving your car for an extended period. It is conveniently close to the “Imabari Station Cycling Terminal” where you can rent a bicycle, as well as the bus stop with routes toward the Shimanami Kaido.

Parking	Imabari Station East Parking Lot No.1
Address	1-729-18 Kitahouraicho, Imabari City
Hours	24 hours
Fee	¥500 / 24 hours
Phone	0898-36-1561 (Imabari City Hall — Land Management Division)

Sunrise Itoyama (Imabari)

Sunrise Itoyama is a cycling hub facility — one of a small number of “Cycling Terminals” officially designated by the Japan Cycling Association and established at around a dozen locations across the country. Located on the Imabari side of the Shimanami Kaido, it features accommodation, a lounge, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and a rental bicycle terminal. Parking is free for visitors who come for cycling purposes.

Parking	Sunrise Itoyama
Address	2-8-1 Sunabacho, Imabari City
Hours	8:00–20:00
Fee	Free (for cycling purposes)
Phone	0898-41-3196

※ Sunrise Itoyama closed in March 2026. However, at the time of my research, the parking lot was still accessible. For more details, please see this page.

Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan / Roadside Station (Oshima Island)

On the southern side of Oshima — the first island you reach from Imabari — there is a Roadside Station called “Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan,” with a spacious parking lot accommodating around 100 cars. It has a small rental bicycle terminal as well as a souvenir shop, restaurant, and rapid-current sightseeing boat tours. Its location at the foot of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge also makes it a great base for crossing the massive bridge on foot or by bike.

Parking	Roadside Station Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan
Address	4520-2 Yoshiumicho Myo Imabari City
Hours	9:00–17:00
Fee	Free
Phone	0897-84-3710

Hakata SC Park / Roadside Station (Hakatajima Island)

On Hakatajima — the second island from Imabari — there is a Roadside Station called “Hakata SC Park” just off the Hakatajima IC (highway interchange), with a large parking lot for around 300 cars. The beach is right in front of you, giving the spot a wonderfully scenic feel. The facility includes a souvenir corner, restaurant, and rental bicycle terminal. From here, you can set out cycling toward Omishima, Oshima, or loop around Hakatajima itself.

Parking	Roadside Station Hakata SC Park
Address	1668-1 Hakatacho Kanoura, Imabari City
Hours	9:00–17:00
Fee	Free
Phone	0897-72-3300

Tatara Shimanami Park / Roadside Station (Omishima Island)

Tatara Shimanami Park is a popular Roadside Station located at the foot of the Tatara Bridge on Omishima Island, with a spacious parking lot for around 300 cars. Omishima sits roughly in the middle of the Shimanami Kaido route, making it a great base to explore in multiple directions — looping the island, heading toward Hakatajima, or continuing to Ikuchijima. A rental bicycle terminal and a shared bike station are also on-site, so you can jump straight into cycling from here.

Parking	Roadside Station Tatara Shimanami Park
Address	9180-2 Kamiuracho Inokuchi, Imabari City
Hours	9:00–17:00
Fee	Free
Phone	0897-87-3866

Setoda Port South Parking Lot (Ikuchijima Island)

For exploring the Setoda sightseeing area on Ikuchijima, I recommend the “Onomichi Municipal Setoda Port South Parking Lot,” located about 200 meters south of Setoda Port. The Setoda area is a densely built neighborhood with narrow streets and many shops without dedicated parking — so this free lot is really the best option available. It can fill up during busy seasons, so arriving early is a good idea. The nearest rental bicycle terminal is at the Setoda Tourist Information Center, directly across from the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art.

Parking	Municipal Setoda Port South Parking Lot
Address	311-1 Setodacho Setoda, Onomichi City
Hours	24 hours
Fee	Free
Phone	0845-27-2213

Innoshima Sports Park (Innoshima Island)

For cyclists who bring their own bikes and want to use Innoshima as a base, the parking lot at “Innoshima Sports Park” is a popular choice. There are three separate lots (No.1 through No.3), each with small to medium capacity, totaling around 100 spaces. Keep in mind that when sporting events are being held, the lots may fill up quickly. The park is right along the Shimanami Kaido main route and close to the Innoshima-kita IC (highway interchange). Note that the rental bicycle terminal on Innoshima is located in Habu-cho, about 7 km away — so if you plan to rent a bike, parking near Habu Port would be more convenient.

Parking	Innoshima Sports Park
Address	4749 Innoshima Shigeicho, Onomichi City
Hours	8:00–21:00 Closed Mondays
Fee	Free
Phone	0845-24-3216

Mukaishima Sports Park (Mukaishima Island)

Mukaishima is the island closest to central Onomichi, and the parking lot at “Mukaishima Sports Park” is frequently used by cyclists who bring their own bikes. Since parking in central Onomichi is both limited and expensive, many visitors choose to start their ride from Mukaishima instead. The lot can hold around 300 cars, making it easy to find a space. However, there are a few important things to note: if you are using the lot for cycling purposes, you must check in at the office inside the gymnasium building, and the lot has opening and closing times, meaning it is not accessible on closed days.

Parking	Mukaishima Sports Park
Address	11098-289 Mukaishimacho, Onomichi City
Hours	8:00–21:00 Closed Mondays
Fee	Free
Phone	0848-44-6700

Onomichi Ekimae Port Parking Lot (Onomichi)

With 227 spaces, this multi-story car park at Onomichi Port is one of the larger options in the space-constrained city center. Before the rental terminal relocated, the Onomichi Port Rental Bicycle Terminal was housed here, making it even more convenient for cyclists. It remains a popular spot for both Shimanami Kaido cyclists and general Onomichi sightseers thanks to its proximity to JR Onomichi Station.

Parking	Onomichi Ekimae Port Parking Lot
Address	9 Higashi-Goshocho, Onomichi City
Hours	24 hours
Fee	¥2,000 / day
Phone	0848-22-5332

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Challenges of Cycling with Your Own Car

When you bring your own bicycle by car (“car-loaded cycling”), there are three main challenges to plan for: ① how to transport your bike in or on the car, ② where to park while you ride, and ③ how to return to your parking spot at the end. For ①, common options include folding down the rear seats to fit the bike inside, or using a dedicated roof-mounted or rear-mounted bike rack.

Choosing a Parking Lot

For ②, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing a parking lot. Consider how close it is to the cycling route you have planned, whether extended (multi-day) parking for cycling purposes is permitted, how secure the lot is for long-term parking, and of course the cost. It is also a good idea to identify backup options in case your first-choice lot is full.

Planning Your Return Route

For ③, getting back to your parked car is a challenge unique to car-loaded cycling — and one that sets it apart from the rental bike experience, where you can simply drop the bike off at the far end. With your own car parked at a fixed location, you will need to plan either an out-and-back route, a loop route that brings you back to the start, or arrange to return by ferry or bus.

Maps you should get in advance

“CycloTourisme Shimanami,” which has been active in cycle tourism and regional promotion for nearly 20 years along the Shimanami Kaido, publishes guidebooks and maps. The map is also available in English and is extremely popular because it is the most detailed cycling-specific map in this region.

This product comes with a set of seven maps, each with a fairly detailed map for each island. I believe that getting your hands on this map will change your experience here. It can be purchased on Amazon.co.jp, and you can also buy it locally at Guesthouse CYCLONOIE in front of Imabari Station.

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On this page, I introduced parking options that are convenient for combining driving and cycling on the Shimanami Kaido. One of the greatest strengths of the Shimanami Kaido is that it is welcoming even for first-time cyclists. For more detailed information about cycling the Shimanami Kaido, please take a look at the page below.