Local bus and highway bus routes along the Shimanami Kaido
![[Title] Shortcut Tip! Summary of Bus Routes Between Imabari and Onomichi](https://touring-shimanami.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/busroutee-ogp.jpg)
This page introduces highway and local bus routes that are useful for Shimanami Kaido cycling trips, along with route maps. It’s helpful to know in advance how to travel by bus between Imabari (Ehime Prefecture) and Onomichi (Hiroshima Prefecture), or how to reach either city from one of the islands after finishing your ride.
Hello! I’m Kawai, a local cyclist living along the Shimanami Kaido. This scenic cycling route is perfect for riders of all levels. With proper preparation, even beginners can have a great time.
Buses Along the Shimanami Kaido
One-Way Cycling and Bus Travel
The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido is a cycling route that stretches across the Seto Inland Sea, connecting Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture with Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. In addition to the expressway, dedicated paths for bicycles and pedestrians allow travelers to cross the bridges between islands safely and comfortably.
![[Photo] Bus travel on Shimanami Kaido: The iconic Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge](https://touring-shimanami.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shimanami-touring-bikes-13.jpg)
The total distance of the cycling road is at least 70 to 80 kilometers. For first-time cycling travelers, this can be a long journey. That’s why many people enjoy two-day trips with sightseeing or opt for a one-way ride covering only part of the route. Public bike rental systems allow for one-way rentals, meaning you can return your bike at various stations along the route, not just at the starting point.
- Main Bus Routes and Route Maps on the Shimanami Kaido
- How to Use Buses While Cycling the Shimanami Kaido
- Can You Bring Your Bicycle on Shimanami Buses?
Bus Travel After Returning Your Bike
For example, if you rent a bike near Imabari Station and return it at Hakatajima or Omishima along the way, local buses are a convenient way to get back to Imabari Station. Or if you cycle from Onomichi Port to Imabari, stay overnight, and then return to Onomichi the next day, taking a highway bus is a good option.
![[Illustration] Example: Combining bus travel with a cycling trip on the Shimanami Kaido](https://touring-shimanami.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/buscyclingplans-e.jpg)
Before the Shimanami Kaido was opened in 1999, ferries and passenger boats were the main forms of public transportation in this region. Unlike the Seto Ohashi Bridge connecting Okayama and Kagawa, there is no railway line on the Shimanami Kaido. Since the bridges opened, buses have taken over as the primary means of transportation, both for travelers and for local residents.
Now, let’s explore the bus routes in more detail around the Shimanami Kaido area!
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Between Islands & Imabari/Onomichi
Buses Connecting the Islands with Imabari and Onomichi
| Section | Available Bus Route |
|---|---|
| Innoshima / Mukaishima ⇔ Onomichi | Innoshima–Onomichi Local Bus |
| Ikuchijima / Innoshima / Mukaishima ⇔ Imabari | Imabari–Fukuyama Shimanami Liner |
| Omishima / Hakatajima / Oshima ⇔ Imabari | Imabari–Omishima Rapid Bus |
| Ikuchijima / Omishima / Hakatajima / Oshima ⇔ Onomichi | Transfer between express and local buses at Innoshima Ohashi BS |
Buses Are Convenient If You’re Not Bringing Your Own Bike
When traveling between the islands and Imabari or Onomichi using public transportation, buses are the most convenient option if you’re not bringing your own bicycle. For example, you can take a bus to an island and rent a bicycle there, or return your rental bike on an island and then catch a bus back to Imabari or Onomichi.
On the other hand, if you’re traveling with your own bicycle, ferries are a better option since they don’t require disassembling your bike. As explained below, bicycles must be packed in a bag (rinko-bag) to be brought on board a bus, and depending on luggage space, you may be denied boarding.
Shimanami Kaido Bus Route Map
NOTE:
“Mae" means “in front of" in Japanese. For example, “Ekimae" means “in front of the station." Some bus stop names are written in romanized Japanese exactly as they are pronounced, so please be aware of this when reading bus stop names.
Matsuyama / Imabari ⇔ Omishima
Rapid Bus: Matsuyama / Imabari – Omishima Line
This local bus route in Ehime Prefecture connects Imabari Port / Imabari Station with Oyamazumi Shrine / Miyaura Port on Omishima Island. Among the 14 or so daily departures, some express buses also run to and from Matsuyama via Imabari. Although some parts of the route use expressways on the Shimanami Kaido, no reservations are required. You simply pay the fare when you get off. This route is convenient for getting between the three Ehime-side islands (Oshima, Hakatajima, and Omishima) and Imabari.
Imabari ⇔ Fukuyama
Shimanami Liner: Imabari – Fukuyama
This highway bus connects Imabari Port / Imabari Station with Fukuyama Station in Hiroshima Prefecture in about 1.5 hours, with approximately 16 services per day. No reservations are required. You can purchase one-way or round-trip tickets at the Imabari Station Bus Information Center and the Chugoku Bus office in front of Fukuyama Station. Be aware that there are designated boarding and drop-off stops between Imabari Port and Omishima Bus Stop, and from Innoshima (Shigei BS) to Fukuyama. Since this route does not go into central Onomichi or Onomichi Station, to travel between Imabari and Onomichi, you’ll need to transfer at Innoshima Ohashi BS or use Mukaihigashi BS as explained below.
Innoshima ⇔ Onomichi
Local Bus: Innoshima – Onomichi Line
This local bus runs between Habu Port on Innoshima and Onomichi Station, with about 18 services daily. Fares are paid by taking a boarding ticket and paying into the fare box when you get off, just like a typical city bus. Some stops on Innoshima and near Onomichi Station are designated as boarding or drop-off only. The bus also stops at Innoshima Ohashi BS, making it possible to transfer with the Shimanami Liner when traveling between Imabari and Onomichi.
Innoshima ⇔ Fukuyama
Citrus Liner: Innoshima – Fukuyama
This highway bus connects Habu Port on Innoshima with Fukuyama Station, operating about 9 times per day. Like a local bus, fares are paid with a boarding ticket and paid into the fare box when getting off. No reservations are needed. There are designated boarding and drop-off stops on Innoshima, Mukaishima, and around Fukuyama Station.
Note that both the Shimanami Liner and Citrus Liner have designated sections for boarding and disembarking only!
Sections Where You Can Only Board or Only Get Off
Some highway buses, such as the Shimanami Liner and the Citrus Liner, have sections where you can only get on or only get off. If you want to travel between Imabari Station and Oshima, Hakatajima, or Omishima by bus, do not use the “Shimanami Liner." Instead, take the Rapid Local Bus (Matsuyama/Imabari – Omishima Line). Similarly, to travel between Innoshima and Fukuyama, you can use the Citrus Liner, but to travel by bus between Innoshima, Mukaishima, and Onomichi, please use the local Innoshima–Onomichi Line.
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Transportation Between Onomichi & Imabari
① Transfer between highway and local buses – Change buses at Innoshima Bridge Bus Stop
② Bus + Walking + Ferry – Use the Mukaohigashi Bus Stop on the “Imabari–Fukuyama Shimanami Liner"
① Transfer buses at Innoshima-ohashi BS
Currently, there are no direct buses or ferries connecting Imabari and Onomichi without transfers. If you’re returning to your starting point after completing the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, you’ll need to use connecting buses to travel from Imabari to Onomichi.
At the Innoshima Ohashi BS, you can transfer from the “Shimanami Liner" that runs between Imabari Station and Fukuyama Station to the local “Innoshima-Onomichi Bus" that connects Habu Port on Innoshima with Onomichi. The illustration above shows an overview of how to reach Onomichi Station from Imabari Station by bus.
Depending on the time of day, the connection at Innoshima Ohashi BS may not be smooth, and you could end up waiting for a long time. Be sure to check the bus schedules in advance. The Innoshima Ohashi BS is located away from town, with no nearby shops or convenience stores, and very few attractions to pass the time.
| Section | Name of Bus |
|---|---|
| JR Imabari Sta. ⇔ Innoshima-ohashi BS | Shimanami Liner (Imabari – Fukuyama) |
| Innoshima-ohashi BS ⇔ JR Onomichi Sta. | Innoshima–Onomichi Local Bus |
② Getting off at Mukaihigashi BS
If transferring buses sounds inconvenient, another option is to take the Shimanami Liner from “Imabari Station" and get off at “Mukaihigashi BS." This is the closest stop on the Shimanami Liner to central Onomichi. From Mukaihiashi BS, it takes about 10–15 minutes on foot to reach the ferry pier on Mukaishima Island.
Taking a Bicycle on the Bus
The Imabari–Fukuyama Shimanami Liner allows you to bring a bicycle on board only if it’s disassembled and packed in a dedicated bike bag (rinko bag), and only when the bus is not crowded. The bicycle will be stored in the luggage compartment, not in the passenger seating area. I’ve personally loaded a bike onto this bus a few times. According to the drivers, they can only accept bicycles when there’s enough space—so if there are too many suitcases from other passengers, your bike might not be allowed.
Of course, you cannot load a bicycle onto the bus unless it is packed in a bike bag. Also, advance reservations for bringing a bicycle are not available. Considering this, ferries and boats may offer a more reliable way to travel with your bicycle along the Shimanami Kaido.
Next, let’s look at how to get to the Shimanami Kaido by bus from Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities!
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 as 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.
Highway Buses from Major Cities
If you’re planning to rent a bicycle at the Shimanami Kaido, you won’t need to bring your own—so taking a highway bus becomes a convenient and cost-effective option. Overnight buses allow you to travel from major cities to the gateway of the Shimanami Kaido while you sleep, and fares are usually cheaper than trains or flights. Here are the major highway bus routes connecting cities to Onomichi and Imabari.
Highway Buses: Imabari ⇔ Major Cities
Imabari has good highway bus connections, especially to the Kansai area (the area around Osaka). You can usually travel at reasonable fares. Since 2018, the Dogo Express Fukuoka, which connects Matsuyama and Fukuoka, also stops at Imabari Station—making it possible to travel between Imabari and Kyushu without transfers. Note that some routes require advance reservations, so be sure to check before traveling.
| City | Name of Bus | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Pirates | Overnight highway bus connecting Imabari Station to Futako-Tamagawa and Shibuya Mark City in Tokyo. |
| Hyogo / Osaka | Salad Express | Highway bus connecting Imabari Station to Kobe Sannomiya and Osaka Umeda (HERBIS OSAKA). Operates about 8 times daily. |
| Hyogo / Osaka / Kyoto | WILLER EXPRESS | Overnight bus connecting Imabari (Shikoku Electric Power Co. stop) with Kobe Sannomiya, USJ, and Osaka Umeda. |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima–Imabari Shimanami Liner | Bus service between Imabari Station and Hiroshima Station (Shinkansen Exit) / Hiroshima Bus Center. Operates 3 times daily. |
| Fukuoka | Dogo Express Fukuoka | Overnight highway bus connecting Matsuyama with Kokura, Hakata, and Tenjin in Fukuoka. Stops at Imabari Station on weekends and holidays. |
Generally, bicycles cannot be brought onto highway buses unless special arrangements are made.
Highway Buses: Onomichi ⇔ Major Cities
Due to the convenience of the JR Sanyo Main Line and Sanyo Shinkansen, the number of highway buses between Onomichi and major cities has significantly decreased in recent years.
| City | Bus Line | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Etoile Seto | Overnight highway bus between Shinjuku (Tokyo) and Mihara in Hiroshima Prefecture. Stops at Onomichi Station. |
| Hiroshima | Flower Liner | Highway bus connecting Onomichi Station and Hiroshima Bus Center. Operates about 8 times daily. Some buses also serve Innoshima. |
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Local Buses in Imabari City
While cycling the Shimanami Kaido, why not explore the city of Imabari as well? Some tourist spots are located a bit outside the city center. Since bus route information in Imabari can be hard to find online, especially for visitors, we’ve created a simplified map showing the most useful routes and stops for travelers.
*Please note: The Asakura Branch Line and Mikomori Line have been discontinued.
To reach the Kirosan Observatory from Imabari Station, take the express or rapid “Omishima Line” and get off at the Kameyama bus stop. From there, it’s a 3 km walk uphill. To access the Sunrise Itoyama rental cycle terminal, take the local Oura Line and get off at the Tenbodai-Iriguchi bus stop. Several scenic viewpoints such as Itoyama Observatory and Kurushima Kaikyo Tenbokan are also within walking distance.
Along the Shimanami Kaido, combining bicycle rental with highway and local bus services can help you get the most out of your trip. For more information about cycling the Shimanami Kaido, please refer to the page below.