Imabari station area lodging guide for cyclists

2025/9/172025/9/18

I have put together information on hotels, guesthouses, and other accommodations around Imabari Station in Ehime Prefecture. This is an area that often becomes a base for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

Imabari: A base for the Shimanami

Starting from Imabari or Onomichi

The Shimanami Kaido cycling route has become one of the most popular activities in the Seto Inland Sea area. It connects Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture with Imabari in Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku, covering approximately 70–80 km along the shortest route. Along the way, cyclists can enjoy island scenery and bridges stretching across the sea. Beginners often take about two days to complete the full route, but it is also possible to enjoy just a part of the course in a single day.

With a wide variety of cycling routes and planning options, along with excellent bike rental services, travelers from beginners to advanced cyclists can enjoy cycling trips here. You can start your ride from either Onomichi or Imabari, but in this article, I want to focus on accommodations around Imabari Station, which are convenient for staying the night before or after your ride.

Imabari: A city of shipbuilding

Today, Imabari is well known as the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido and also for its high-quality towels. But its largest industry is actually shipbuilding and shipping. The city is full of large and small companies related to ships, and from the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge you can even see the huge shipyards along the coast.

Because of this industry, many business travelers stay here for work and meetings. For a long time, most accommodations around Imabari Station and Imabari Port were aimed more at business needs than sightseeing. However, over the past 10 years, the popularity of the Shimanami Kaido has grown rapidly, and the number of cycling travelers has increased dramatically. As a result, many business hotels have started to adapt to cyclists’ needs, and new guesthouses designed with cycling in mind have also opened.

Cyclist-friendly accommodations

If you are bringing your own bike by train or bus, it is best to choose accommodations that offer secure bicycle storage. And if you plan to rent a bike for your first long-distance cycling trip, I recommend accommodations that are close to a rental terminal or ones that specialize in cycling and provide lots of useful information for riders.

Recently, several new hotels have opened in Imabari, and some are being rebuilt or newly planned. At these newer places, being cycling-friendly is now considered standard, highlighting just how bike-friendly this city has become. Try finding the perfect accommodation here for starting or finishing your Shimanami Kaido cycling trip.

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Hotels around Imabari station

If you’ve come all the way to the Shimanami Kaido, why not stay in Imabari? Here I will introduce 7 hotels and guesthouses around Imabari Station that are well-suited for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

1. Cyclonoie

Feature: A guesthouse specialized for cyclists

Booking.com

Right in front of Imabari Station, Shimanami Guesthouse Cyclonoie is probably the most famous guesthouse on the Shimanami Kaido. Opened in July 2014, it is a cycling-specialized guesthouse operated by the local NPO “CycloTourisme Shimanami.” It features an indoor garage for secure bike storage and a well-stocked information corner. The staff are true professionals of bicycle travel—they publish guidebooks and maps for the Shimanami Kaido and also organize tours. I especially recommend this place for beginners who want reliable advice and support for their cycling trip.

Reviews of Cyclonoie
Smaller than I expected, but packed with Shimanami Kaido cycling information.
The recommended yakitori restaurant and public bath had a great atmosphere. I’m glad I decided to stay in Imabari.
Lights-out rules are strict. Everyone in the room left early in the morning for their ride.

Guesthouse	Shimanami Guesthouse Cyclo no Ie
Address	1-1-12 Kitahorai-cho, Imabari
Phone	0898-35-4496
Check-in	16:00–21:00 (curfew 23:00)
Check-out	by 10:00
Approx. Price	Dormitory, from 3,200 JPY per person
Feature	A station-front guesthouse with staff who know the Shimanami Kaido inside out

2. Imabari Kokusai Hotel

Feature: The most upscale hotel in Imabari

Booking.com

“Imabari Kokusai Hotel" is the most high-grade hotel in the city, located about a 10-minute walk from Imabari Station. When it opened in 1996, the 23-story tower was the tallest building in Shikoku, and it still stands out as a landmark visible from afar. The hotel is operated by a company related to Imabari Shipbuilding, one of the leading shipbuilding companies in Japan. It was built to welcome VIP guests such as shipowners. While the elegant atmosphere might feel intimidating for bringing in a road bike, the hotel actually allows bicycles to be brought into the guest rooms. This makes it a great option for those who have a larger travel budget and want to enjoy a luxurious stay.

Guest reviews of Imabari Kokusai Hotel
From the upper floors, I had a panoramic view of Imabari Castle, the Seto Inland Sea, and the Shimanami Kaido.
In Imabari, this is definitely the number one hotel.
There is also a large public bath with an open-air bath and a sauna on the 3rd floor.

Hotel	Imabari Kokusai Hotel
Address	2-3-4 Asahimachi, Imabari, Ehime
Phone	0898-36-1111
Check-in	15:00–22:30
Check-out	Until 11:00
Approx. Price Range	Twin room without meals: from 19,000 JPY

3. Prime Hotel Imabari

Feature: A newly built business hotel

Booking.com

In recent years, Imabari has seen a boom in the construction of business-style hotels. One of the newest is “Shimanami Prime Hotel Imabari," which opened in March 2024 about a 6-minute walk from Imabari Station. This modern 9-story business hotel features a large public bath on the top floor, where guests can enjoy views of the Kurushima Strait in the distance. A buffet-style breakfast is also available, offering both standard and local dishes. The hotel is operated by Heiwa Kosan Co., Ltd., the same company that manages the Imabari Urban Hotel.

Guest reviews of Prime Hotel Imabari
Since it had just opened, everything was very clean and new.
The breakfast buffet included local dishes such as Jakoten and Yakibuta Tamago Meshi.
The hotel parking lot was small, and other parking options were a bit far away, which was inconvenient.

Business Hotel	Shimanami Prime Hotel Imabari
Address	4-6 Tokiwa-cho, Imabari, Ehime
Phone	0898-35-5051
Check-in	15:00–24:00
Check-out	Until 11:00
Approx. Price Range	Double room: from 10,000 JPY

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4. JR Clement Inn Imabari

Feature: A new business hotel in front of the station

Booking.com

JR Clement Inn Imabari opened in September 2021, just a one-minute walk from Imabari Station — literally right in front of the station. As the name suggests, it is operated by JR Shikoku Hotels, a group company of JR Shikoku. Thanks to its location at the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido, the hotel also provides services for cycling travelers. Some rooms are designed as “cycle rooms” with indoor racks, allowing you to bring your road bike inside. The Imabari Station Rental Cycle Terminal is right next door, and a large public bathhouse is also within walking distance, making it an extremely convenient place to stay.

Guest Reviews of JR Clement Inn Imabari
I booked a cycle room, so I could bring my road bike into the room and felt secure.
I liked being able to use the lounge’s free drinks during limited hours.
The rooms and facilities are new and clean. The location is excellent and very convenient.

Business Hotel	JR Clement Inn Imabari
Address	2-773-9 Kitahorai-cho, Imabari
Phone	0898-55-8333
Check-in	From 15:00
Check-out	Until 11:00
Approx. Price	Twin room, no meals: from 9,000 JPY

5. Hotel Crown Hills Imabari

Feature: A business hotel with free services and a large public bath

Booking.com

Hotel Crown Hills Imabari is a business-style hotel located along the main street in front of Imabari Station. It is run by the BBH Group, which operates over 100 hotels across Japan, including Breeze Bay Hotel in Yokohama. While the building shows some signs of age, it has been partially renovated over time. For example, a new large public bath was added in 2020, and a capsule-style floor for men only was also introduced. Guests can enjoy extra services such as a late-night snack, a welcome drink, and a homemade breakfast. Overall, the hotel is well-regarded for offering excellent value for money.

Guest Reviews of Hotel Crown Hills Imabari
I enjoyed the late-night snack of tai-meshi (sea bream rice) and the welcome drink service.
I was able to bring my bicycle into the room.
The large public bath was great for relaxing after a long day of cycling.

Business Hotel	Hotel Crown Hills Imabari
Address	1-5-9 Kitahorai-cho, Imabari, Ehime
Phone	0898-23-0005
Check-in	15:00–26:30
Check-out	Until 10:00
Approx. Price	Twin room with breakfast: from 10,000 JPY

6. Imabari Urban Hotel

Feature: A standard local business hotel

Booking.com

Imabari Urban Hotel is a long-established business hotel located right in front of Imabari Station. It is operated by Heiwa Kosan, a local real estate company, and also has a sister hotel in Saijo City, Ehime. The main building feels quite old with a Showa-era atmosphere, but the Annex is more modern and has several cycle racks on the first floor, making it very popular among cyclists visiting the Shimanami Kaido. Compared to other nearby hotels, it offers earlier check-in and later check-out times, which is convenient if you want to rest well after a day of cycling or simply take your time relaxing in your room.

Guest Reviews of Imabari Urban Hotel
I could bring my bike into the room, and there were also racks available on the first floor.
A very convenient location visible from Imabari Station. Note that there are both a main building and an annex.
The room was clean overall, and the towels were Imabari towels.

Business Hotel	Imabari Urban Hotel
Address	13-2 Kitahorai-cho, Imabari, Ehime
Phone	0898-22-5311
Check-in	From 14:00
Check-out	Until 11:00
Approx. Price	Twin room, no meals: from 8,000 JPY

7. Super Hotel Imabari

Feature: Business hotel with a large hot spring bath

Opened in April 2021, Super Hotel Imabari is part of the nationwide Super Hotel group, which operates more than 170 locations across Japan. It is currently the newest hotel in Imabari and features a large public bath with hot spring water brought in from “Seisho no Yu.” This business hotel also accommodates the needs of cyclists, but its location is a drawback—it’s more than a 20-minute walk from Imabari Station. If you are driving or cycling with your own bike, the location may not be an issue, but for those renting a bicycle to ride the Shimanami Kaido, it could feel a little inconvenient.

Guest reviews of Super Hotel Imabari
The hotel is very clean, and you can enjoy a pleasant aroma of aromatherapy throughout the building.
I was happy that there is a hot spring and a welcome drink.
The room could fit two bicycles. Sleeping next to my bike was a unique experience.

Business Hotel	Super Hotel Imabari
Address	4-6-10 Matsumoto-cho, Imabari, Ehime
Phone	0898-27-9010
Check-in	15:00–24:00
Check-out	Until 10:00
Approximate Price Range	Twin room with breakfast: from 10,000 JPY

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Accommodations in other Shimanami Kaido areas

Not only around Imabari Station, but across a wider area—including the islands along the Shimanami Kaido and Onomichi—convenient accommodations for cycling are comprehensively introduced on this page. There are many unique and charming places to stay, and new accommodations continue to open almost every year.

We have compiled recommended hotels, ryokan, guesthouses, and minshuku by topic—such as accommodations supporting Shimanami Kaido cycling, convenient overnight stays on the islands along the route, and places offering unique local experiences.

Accommodations offering luggage delivery

What should you do with large suitcases or backpacks while cycling? In addition to Sagawa Express’s “Shimanami Kaido Hands-Free Cycling” service, delivery options from Yamato Transport and Japan Post are available. The best method depends on your Shimanami Kaido itinerary. For those returning to the starting point, coin lockers at stations or ports are also convenient and secure.

The Sagawa Express same-day luggage delivery service, “Shimanami Kaido Hands-Free Cycling,” allows you to send suitcases and other luggage between partner accommodations within the Imabari–Onomichi Shimanami Kaido area on the same day. If you plan to use same-day delivery, staying at a partner accommodation is very convenient.

You can check the list of partner accommodations on the Sagawa Express “Shimanami Kaido Hands-Free Cycling” website. For more details about luggage delivery and storage services along the Shimanami Kaido, see this page.

Other accommodations

In Imabari, in addition to the area around JR Yosan Line Imabari Station, there are many accommodations near Imabari Port, where ferries and passenger ships to the islands depart. The port is about a 20-minute walk from the station, but using a taxi or other transport makes it quite convenient. During busy periods such as Golden Week, Obon, the Onmaku Festival, or major sports events and tournaments, accommodations can fill up quickly. It is recommended to book early during peak seasons.

Here is a list of other personally recommended accommodations in Imabari, aside from the seven top picks near Imabari Station. Use this as a reference when planning your stay during your Shimanami Kaido cycling trip.

Type	Accommodation	Features	Booking Site
Ryokan	Komecho Ryokan	Traditional inn near Imabari Port	Booking.com
Hotel	Hotel Kikusui Imabari	High-grade business hotel near Imabari Port	Rakuten Travel
Business Hotel	Hotel Portside Imabari	Business hotel near Imabari’s downtown area	Booking.com
Business Hotel	Imabari Plaza Hotel	Business hotel right in front of Imabari City Hall	Rakuten Travel
Capsule Hotel	Kisuke no Yado	Capsule hotel attached to a super sento behind Imabari Station	Rakuten Travel

Searching on Booking.com

Personally, I often use the booking site Booking.com. It’s easy to sort accommodations by area, and it lists a wide variety of properties worldwide, which is convenient for international travelers. The review system is especially helpful because only guests who have actually stayed at a property can post reviews. I find the ratings and reviews highly reliable and useful when choosing accommodations.

Be careful with Imabari city addresses

When searching for accommodations around Imabari Station, especially when sorting listings on booking sites, you need to pay attention to the “address” of the hotel. In fact, areas such as Oshima, Hakatajima, and Omishima in the Shimanami Kaido region all share the same “Imabari city” address. After municipal mergers, the city became very large, so many areas have addresses like “ **-cho, Imabari-city.”

For example, addresses in Oshima may read “ **, Yoshiumi-cho Imabari-city,” without including the word “Oshima.” Omishima addresses may read “ **, Kamiura-cho, Imabari-city.” Because the address only shows “Imabari city” and not the island name, travelers sometimes book accommodations without realizing they are on an island, which can cause considerable access difficulties.

When booking accommodations in Imabari city, always check the location on a map to ensure you know exactly where the property is situated.

Search by map

Here is a map that allows you to search for accommodations listed on Booking.com. By changing the check-in and check-out dates, you can see the prices for available accommodations on those dates. This is very convenient for finding hotels near Imabari Station based on location, especially for those cycling along the Shimanami Kaido.

Booking.com

Most hotels and guesthouses around Imabari Station accommodate cyclists. Many allow bicycles in the rooms or provide secure indoor/outdoor bike parking. Across Japan, there are still many hotels where storing a road bike is difficult, so I’m personally glad to see these cyclist-friendly initiatives expanding.

This page provides a detailed guide to recommended accommodations near Imabari Station, a popular base for Shimanami Kaido cyclists. For comprehensive cycling information suitable for beginners to advanced riders, please refer to the page below for more details.