How to send your luggage while cycling the Shimanami Kaido

【Title】Travel Light! Luggage Delivery and Lockers on the Shimanami Kaido

Want to enjoy cycling the Shimanami Kaido without heavy luggage? Here’s how to send your bags from Imabari to Onomichi using convenient delivery services—perfect for one-way rides! You can ship large suitcases and backpacks with services like Sagawa’s “Hands-Free Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido”, as well as with Yamato Transport and Japan Post.

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.

More Comfortable Cycling

For One-Way Cycling

The Shimanami Kaido cycling route crosses six islands and six bridges over the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. You can start your ride from either Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture or Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, and many travelers enjoy both the northbound and southbound directions.

[Image] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Full View of the Shimanami Kaido Route

Go the Distance!

If you’re making the trip, you may want to cycle the entire route from Imabari to Onomichi. Even the shortest one-way ride is about 70–80 km, so doing a round-trip can be quite a challenge. That’s why many people choose to start and finish in different cities. For beginners, a popular option is to complete the route over two days.

Topics on This Page
  • Shimanami Kaido cycling and luggage
  • How to send large luggage between Imabari and Onomichi
  • Choosing the best delivery service for your route

The Shimanami Japan’s Rental Bike public system lets you rent and return bikes in both Imabari and Onomichi, making it easy to enjoy a one-way cycling trip. Private road bike rental shops also offer popular one-way plans tailored for this kind of ride.

What to Do with Large Luggage?

[Photo] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Image of large suitcases and bags
What to do with large suitcases and bags?

This is where luggage becomes an issue. If you’re only carrying a small backpack, it’s possible to ride with it on your back. And if you’re planning a round-trip ride, you can leave your luggage in a coin locker, at a baggage storage center, or even at the hotel you stayed at.

[Photo] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: It's best to travel light on the Shimanami Kaido
It’s best to travel light when cycling the Shimanami Kaido

But ideally, you want to cycle as light as possible. If you’re planning a one-way ride on the Shimanami Kaido and also have large luggage, what should you do? This webpage will explain in detail how to send your luggage while cycling the Shimanami Kaido. The best option may vary depending on your schedule and route.

It’s best to pack light when cycling. Heavy bags can really slow you down.

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Luggage Delivery Services

Multiple Delivery Services Available

Several luggage delivery services are available on the Shimanami Kaido for travelers doing a one-way cycling trip between Imabari and Onomichi. The most popular option is same-day delivery through Sagawa’s “Hands-Free Cycling” service. If you don’t need same-day delivery, you might consider regular delivery services offered by Yamato Transport or Japan Post. There are also private services that offer luggage transport.

Luggage Tips
  • Sagawa’s “Hands-Free Cycling” offers same-day delivery
  • Check if your hotel is partnered with Sagawa
  • Yamato and Japan Post deliver by the next day or later

Need It Today or Is Tomorrow Okay?

Let’s say you’re planning a ride from Imabari to Onomichi and want to send your luggage ahead. Which of the following best matches your plan?

I want my luggage to arrive in Onomichi by this evening

・It’s fine if my luggage arrives in Onomichi the next day

If your plan is to cycle all the way from Imabari to Onomichi in a single day, next-day delivery might not be fast enough. On the other hand, if you’re cycling the route over two days and can pick up your luggage in Onomichi on the second evening, next-day delivery could be a good fit.

Let’s start with options for travelers who want to pick up their luggage in Onomichi on the same day.

Need Same-Day Delivery?

Cycling from Imabari to Onomichi in One Day

Same-day luggage delivery on the Shimanami Kaido If you’re planning to ride the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari to Onomichi (or the other way around) in a single day, the “Hands-Free Cycling" service from Sagawa is a convenient option for same-day luggage delivery.

[Illustration] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Delivering your luggage to Onomichi on the same day while cycling the Shimanami Kaido

Standard delivery services—even if you drop off your bag at a local office—won’t get your luggage from Imabari to Onomichi until the next day at the earliest. But this special service lets you drop off your bag in the morning and have it waiting at your destination by the evening. With the “Hands-Free Cycling” service, Sagawa offers same-day delivery between partner hotels in Onomichi and Imabari for suitcases and other luggage.

Sagawa’s Same-Day Delivery Service Is Handy

When this service first launched, it was only available between hotels in the central areas of Imabari and Onomichi. But now, more partner locations are available on the islands along the way. Some facilities even allow luggage drop-off and pickup for those not staying overnight. As this service continues to expand, it’s a good idea to check Sagawa’s website for the latest updates.

[Flyer] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Sagawa’s Hands-Free Cycling Flyer
Sagawa’s Hands-Free Cycling flyer
Sagawa ExpressImabari BranchFukuyama Branch
Address1-4-6 Tomita Shinko, Imabari City2-18-1 Shingai-cho, Fukuyama City
Phone0570-01-05980570-01-0124
Hours8:00–19:008:00–19:00
Location NotesFar from Imabari StationLocated in Fukuyama, not Onomichi

Next, let’s take a look at delivery options for those who are okay with receiving their luggage in Onomichi on the second evening.

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Need Delivery by the Next Day?

Cycling Imabari to Onomichi Over Two Days

[Illustration] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Sending luggage to Onomichi during a two-day Shimanami ride

Using standard delivery services If you plan to ride the Shimanami Kaido over two or more days, you can send your luggage using regular delivery services from companies like Yamato Transport or Japan Post. There are Yamato service centers within walking distance of both Imabari Station and Onomichi Station, making it very convenient. If you drop off your luggage at the office in the morning, it usually arrives the next morning—meaning your bags should be in Onomichi by the time you finish your ride on Day 2.

[Photo] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Yamato Transport center in Onomichi shopping arcade
Yamato service centers are available in both Imabari and Onomichi

If you’re sending your luggage to a delivery center, make sure to check when it will arrive—and remember to pick it up during business hours. Some hotels or even convenience stores may be able to help you send your luggage, but for reliable next-day delivery, it’s best to bring it directly to a Yamato service center.

Luggage DeliveryYamato Imabari Central CenterYamato Onomichi Shopping Arcade Center
Address4-8-5 Tokiwa-cho, Imabari1-4-21 Tsuchido, Onomichi
Phone0570-20-00000570-20-0000
Hours8:00–20:009:00–18:00
LocationWithin walking distance from Imabari StationWithin walking distance from Onomichi Station

Now let’s look at two more delivery options that reduce how much luggage you carry—though they may cost a bit more.

Use Sagawa’s Same-Day Service Twice

Option one: If you’re cycling the Shimanami Kaido over two days, one way to travel light is to use Sagawa’s same-day delivery service, “Hands-Free Cycling," on both days. Unlike regular courier services, you can send items you’ll need on the first night directly to your hotel on the island—no need to carry them with you all day.

[Illustration] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Using Sagawa same-day delivery on both days of your trip

Of course, this means you’ll pay the delivery fee twice. Also, there are still only a limited number of hotels on the islands that are partnered with Sagawa’s “Hands-Free Cycling" service, so you’ll need to choose your overnight accommodation from their official list. If your chosen hotel is not a partner facility, this service is not available.

If you’re okay with the added cost and can stay at one of the partner hotels, this is the lightest and most comfortable way to enjoy the Shimanami Kaido over two days.

Ship Your Luggage Ahead of Time

Option two: If you’re staying at a hotel that is not partnered with Sagawa, or if your route doesn’t allow for using the “Hands-Free Cycling" service, here’s another method—though it does require more time and effort.

[Illustration] Luggage Delivery & Lockers: Shipping your luggage to your island accommodation in advance

You can send the luggage you’ll need on the second day ahead of time to your accommodation on islands like Omishima or Ikuchijima using regular delivery services. This way, on the first day of cycling, you can travel lighter without carrying the clothes and items you’ll only need on the second day.

Yamato Transport office on Hakata Island
Yamato Transport office on Hakatajima Island

There are post offices, Yamato Transport offices, and convenience stores on the islands along the Shimanami Kaido where you can also send your luggage. For example, on the morning of the second day, you could send any items you no longer need from the first day directly to your next destination, allowing you to cycle lighter on the second day as well.

When I go on bike camping tours, I often send all my camping gear in advance to a nearby Yamato Transport office held for pickup at the campsite.

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Onomichi Base “Shimanami Tebura-bin"

Another option is the private luggage delivery service called “Shimanami Tebura-bin” operated by Onomichi Base, a private rental bike shop mainly serving Onomichi. This service allows you to send your suitcase or luggage on the same day from the Onomichi Base shop or your accommodation to the accommodation where you will stay or back to the Onomichi Base on the same day.

Screenshot: Onomichi Base official website for electric bike rentals on the Shimanami Kaido
Screenshot from Onomichi Base official website

The main differences from Sagawa’s “Shimanami Kaido Hands-Free Cycling” service are that reservations can be made on the website and that the service covers a wider range of islands and accommodations. You can also use “Shimanami Tebura-bin” without renting a bike from Onomichi Base. Please check the official website for details on delivery fees, size limits, and compensation for damage.

Luggage DeliveryRental Cycle Station Onomichi Base
Address3-24 Higashigosho-cho, Onomichi City
Phone0848-21-5120
Business Hours9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Closed Tue & Wed

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Storing Your Luggage

Luggage Storage and Lockers

If You Plan to Return to the Starting Point

Coin lockers suitable for Shimanami Kaido cycling: Coin lockers inside Onomichi Station
Coin lockers inside Onomichi Station

Storing luggage during cycling: JR Imabari Station and Onomichi Station both have coin lockers. Additionally, Yamato Transport in Onomichi offers luggage storage services. If you plan to return to your starting point after cycling, consider leaving your large luggage in these coin lockers, luggage storage locations, or at the front desk of your hotel or guesthouse where you are staying.

Plenty of Coin Lockers Along the Shimanami Kaido

Outdoor coin lockers at Onomichi Port
Outdoor coin lockers at Onomichi Port
AreaCoin LockersBusiness Hours
OnomichiOnomichi Port7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
OnomichiJR Onomichi Station4:30 AM – 12:00 AM
InnoshimaHabu Port6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
InnoshimaOnomichi City Central Parking LotOpen 24 Hours
IkuchijimaSetoda Tourist Information Center9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
IkuchijimaSetoda Sunset Beach8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
OmishimaTatara Shimanami ParkOpen 24 Hours
OmishimaShimanami no Eki Mishima8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
HakatajimaHakata SC Park9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
OshimaYoshiumi Ikiiki-kanOpen 24 Hours
ImabariSunrise Itoyama7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
ImabariJR Imabari StationOpen 24 Hours
ImabariImabari Port6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

In this page, we have summarized the methods to send or store your luggage along the Shimanami Kaido. One of the greatest features of the Shimanami Kaido is that even beginners can enjoy cycling with peace of mind. For more detailed information about cycling the Shimanami Kaido, please refer to the following page.

shimanami

Posted by KAWAI