![[News] Imabari City Announces Redevelopment Plan for Sunrise Itoyama](https://touring-shimanami.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sunriserdpmte-ogp.png)
Sunrise Itoyama is set to be reborn under private management. The renovated facility is expected to open in winter 2027, followed by a brand-new seaside villa facility in winter 2028. As a local cyclist living along the Shimanami Kaido, I’ll walk you through everything announced about this exciting new accommodation base — one designed to welcome both cyclists and high-end travelers alike.
Hi, I’m Yuki Kawai — a touring cyclist based along the Shimanami Kaido. Having cycled this route more than 300 times, I created this site to share practical, experience-based tips for anyone planning a cycling trip here. I hope it helps you make the most of one of Japan’s most beloved cycling destinations.
Sunrise Itoyama After Its Closure
Many of you may have been wondering what would become of Sunrise Itoyama after it closed in March 2026. For years, it served as the main base on the Ehime (Imabari) side of the Shimanami Kaido — a facility long loved by cyclists and travelers passing through the Kurushima Strait gateway.
On April 20, 2026, Imabari City officially announced a redevelopment plan for Sunrise Itoyama. As a cyclist who lives here along the Shimanami Kaido, this was news I had been eagerly waiting for. I’ve put together a summary of the announcement for anyone planning to visit and cycle the Shimanami Kaido.
For more details about the closure of Sunrise Itoyama, you can also read this article:
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Imabari City Announces the Redevelopment Plan
A Private Group Led by Yonden Business to Take Over Operations
On April 20, 2026, a basic agreement was signed between Imabari City and a private business group for the “Sunrise Itoyama and Surrounding Municipal Land Utilization Promotion Project.” The group is led by Yonden Business Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Kagawa Prefecture, a subsidiary of Shikoku Electric Power), together with architecture firm Atelier Tekuto Co., Ltd. and Taniguchi Co., Ltd., a construction company based in Imabari — three companies working together to bring this vision to life.
Sunrise Itoyama originally opened in 1999 alongside the Shimanami Kaido expressway and has been a beloved facility for cyclists and travelers for 27 years. Knowing that this place is now set to be reborn with fresh private-sector ideas and expertise, I have to admit I’m genuinely excited about what it might become.
The announcement revealed a two-phase development plan: a renovation of the existing building, and the construction of a brand-new facility on the seafront plot. Local materials from the Imabari area — including Kikuma roof tiles and Oshima stone — are planned for use in construction, with the aim of creating a facility that truly reflects the character of Imabari. (Kikuma is a district of Imabari known for its distinctive clay roof tiles, while Oshima stone is a high-quality granite quarried from nearby Oshima Island.)
When Will It Open? The Schedule for Both Facilities
The redevelopment will proceed in two stages. The renovation of the existing Sunrise Itoyama building is expected to begin around October 2026, with the goal of opening in winter 2027. The newly built villa-type facility on the seafront is planned to break ground around April 2027, with an expected opening in winter 2028.
The two facilities will open in sequence between winter 2027 and winter 2028. It’s still a little ways off, but it might be worth keeping in mind as you start planning your next Shimanami Kaido trip.
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Renewal Plan ①: Renovation of the Existing Facility
In-Room Showers in All 23 Rooms — Plus a Large Communal Bath
The renovated Sunrise Itoyama will have a total of 23 rooms. Personally, the thing I’m most excited about is that each room will have its own shower. Being able to rinse off quickly after a long ride is something cyclists really appreciate. If you can jump straight into the shower after check-in, it’s so much easier to shake off the fatigue — and makes dinner and sightseeing afterwards far more enjoyable.
The facility will also feature a large communal bath (known in Japan as a daiyokujō — think a spacious Japanese-style soaking bath, a great way to ease tired muscles after a full day of cycling). So you can rinse off quickly in your room, then head down to the communal bath for a longer, more relaxing soak to round off the evening.
The facility will also include a restaurant and a shop. With sweeping views of the Kurushima Strait and the Shimanami Kaido bridges right outside, I hope it becomes a place where you can sit back, relax, and look back on a wonderful day of cycling.
Expected Room Rates and Target Guests
The expected room rate for the renovated facility is approximately ¥30,000–50,000 per night (varying by season and room plan). The facility is envisioned to welcome a wide range of travelers — from active cyclists to general visitors. It feels like the kind of place you’d treat yourself to as a special reward.
Spending a night here after completing the full Shimanami Kaido route as a little treat for yourself… that sounds like a pretty wonderful way to end the journey, don’t you think?
※ The illustration above is based on images included in the official announcement materials.
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Renewal Plan ②: The New Facility
20 High-End Rooms Targeting Affluent Guests
A completely new facility will be built on the seafront plot. Featuring 20 single-storey villa-style rooms, it is planned as a high-grade accommodation targeting affluent travelers and international visitors — a truly luxurious setup right by the water.
The facility will be designed by Yasuhiro Yamashita of Atelier Tekuto Co., Ltd. Yamashita is known for developing the “Denpaku” brand of locally rooted accommodations on Amami Oshima Island — work that has earned him the Japan Tourism Award (Grand Prize) and a listing in the Michelin Guide Hotels selection. He is reported to have said that “this hotel will become a destination in itself,” and those words convey an ambition that goes well beyond simply providing a place to sleep.
Sauna, Pool, and Breathtaking Views
In addition to a restaurant, the new facility will feature a sauna and a pool. With the calm waters of the Kurushima Strait and the Shimanami Kaido bridges stretching out right in front of you, it will feel almost like having that spectacular view entirely to yourself. Imagine arriving at the poolside or sauna after crossing the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge — full of that sense of accomplishment — and just gazing out at the sea. It feels like a whole new way to experience the Shimanami Kaido: one where “staying” becomes a destination in itself, not just cycling through.
The expected room rate is approximately ¥70,000–150,000 per night (approx. USD $470–1,000; varying by season and plan). It’s not exactly an easy price to say yes to on a whim, but as a special milestone stay — or as a memorable trip with cycling friends — it’s somewhere I’d personally love to visit someday.
Comparison of the Two Facilities
| Facility ① Renovated Building (Sunrise Itoyama) | Facility ② New Build (Villa Type) | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of rooms | 23 rooms | 20 rooms |
| Amenities | In-room shower, large communal bath, restaurant, shop | Restaurant, sauna, pool |
| Expected room rate | Approx. ¥30,000–50,000 / night | Approx. ¥70,000–150,000 / night |
| Construction start | Around October 2026 | Around April 2027 |
| Expected opening | Winter 2027 | Winter 2028 |
| My personal impression | For general guests & cyclists? | For luxury stays & affluent travelers? |
※ Room rates are based on figures stated in the official press release at the time of announcement. Actual prices may vary by season and room plan.
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What About Bicycle Rentals and Dining?
The Rental Cycle Terminal Will Continue Under Shimanami Japan
When news of the redevelopment broke, I imagine the first question on many people’s minds was: “What’s going to happen to the bike rental terminal?” You’ll be relieved to hear that the Imabari Itoyama Rental Cycle Terminal — the public rental facility right next to Sunrise Itoyama — will continue to operate as before, under the management of Shimanami Japan.
Even after the redevelopment, you’ll still be able to rent a bicycle from this Imabari gateway and set off on the Shimanami Kaido just as before. For anyone planning to cycle the Shimanami Kaido for the first time, this is probably the most important thing to confirm — and I was honestly relieved to hear it.
There are also plans for the new facility to offer cycling experiences in partnership with the rental cycle terminal. I’m looking forward to hearing more about how the two will work together as the project develops.
A Renowned Osaka Chef Supervises the Restaurant
There’s also exciting news on the dining front. The restaurant will be supervised by chef Tomohiko Murakami, owner of the popular Osaka French restaurant “Shimanami French Murakami.” Chef Murakami was born and raised on Hakatajima Island — one of the islands you pass through on the Shimanami Kaido route.
A chef who grew up on one of the very islands you cycled through, crafting dishes from the rich produce of the Seto Inland Sea — the food he creates will likely be something you’ll never forget. Being able to taste the flavors of the islands you’ve just ridden through, brought together on a single plate… there’s something really moving about that.
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A New Home Base Worth Looking Forward To
From Passing Through to Staying Longer — A New Way to Experience the Shimanami Kaido
What struck me most about this announcement is the sense that the Shimanami Kaido is becoming an even more welcoming destination — one that can offer something meaningful to a wider range of travelers than ever before.
For many visitors, the Shimanami Kaido may have felt like something you “ride through” — a route to complete rather than a place to linger. Of course, the sense of achievement in cycling all the way from Imabari to Onomichi is something truly special. But I’ve also always hoped that more people might discover the joy of taking their time here — savoring the scenery, the food, and the culture of these islands at a slower pace.
The view of the Kurushima Strait from Sunrise Itoyama’s location is truly one of a kind — you’d be hard-pressed to find anything quite like it anywhere in the world. Having facilities of this quality in that setting has real potential to make the Shimanami Kaido cycling experience even more rewarding.
There’s still a year or two to go before either facility opens, but once they do, I’m very much looking forward to seeing them in person. I’ll share any new updates here as they come in. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about planning your Shimanami Kaido cycling trip, the article below is a good place to start.