Shimanami Bike Touring Tips

2026/1/5

Author 
KAWAI

This website is written by Yuki Kawai, a local cyclist, and provides tourist information about cycling along the Shimanami Kaido in Japan. I hope it will be useful for planning your trip.

Explore the Shimanami Kaido

[Information for beginners] Illustrations of bridges crossed on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido cycling route

The Shimanami Kaido is one of Japan’s most iconic cycling routes for leisure and travel. A series of bridges connects the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, allowing cyclists to ride all the way between Honshu and Shikoku. With well-designed cycling routes, convenient and varied bicycle rental services, and unique accommodation options, the area attracts travelers from around the world who enjoy exploring by bike. On this website, I share essential information about cycling the Shimanami Kaido, along with practical tips especially helpful for first-time visitors. The site is regularly updated with the latest information, so I hope it will be a useful resource when planning your journey.

[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: A banner with a thorough explanation of how to cycle along the Shimanami Kaido, safe even for beginner
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: A banner with a thorough explanation of rental bike services
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Luggage delivery and storage service banner
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Banner of the best season for bicycle travel
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Banner of Best bicycle return spots to stop cycling along the Shimanami Kaido
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: A banner with a 2 days cycling itinerary
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: A banner with a What to do if you get a flat tire on the way
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: recommended lunch spots on the island
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Access to Shimanami kaido from Tokyo and Osaka
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Banner of recommended accommodations for cycling

Public transportation

There is no railway along the Shimanami Kaido, so public transport comes down to ferries and buses. Because the Shimanami Kaido spans across prefectural borders — between Hiroshima Prefecture and Ehime Prefecture — and because multiple maritime and bus companies operate a variety of routes, it can be challenging to get a complete overview of all available services. That’s why I’ve put together a comprehensive list of the ferry and bus lines you can use when cycling through the area. Use this guide as a transportation reference to help plan your cycling journey.

[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Ferry and ship routes that can be used for cycling along the Shimanami Kaido
[Illustration] Shimanami Kaido Cycling: Local bus and highway bus routes along the Shimanami Kaido

Latest posts on this website

In addition to the basic information above, this website regularly features articles on a wide range of topics related to cycling the Shimanami Kaido. In Japan’s tourist destinations—including the Shimanami Kaido—English-language information is still far less comprehensive than what is available in Japanese. At the same time, the number of overseas visitors to the Shimanami Kaido has been increasing rapidly. Through this website, I hope to help travelers create a more enjoyable and rewarding cycling journey—one that goes beyond simply following the standard route.

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Articles written in Japanese

My website offers a wide range of articles covering all the essential information for cycling the Shimanami Kaido from various perspectives. While I’m gradually adding English pages, most of the content is still written in Japanese. By using translation tools available on your PC or smartphone, English or other languages speakers may still find these articles useful as informational guides. Please feel free to explore them if you’re looking for more detailed local insights.

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2026/1/5

Posted by KAWAI