Q. Is it possible to rent a bicycle and cycle one way on the Shimanami Kaido?

2025/7/19

Q. Is one-way cycling possible?

A. Yes, it’s possible. The public rental bike system along the Shimanami Kaido has about 10 terminals where you can rent and return bikes anywhere along the route. Some private rental bike services also allow one-way cycling if you book a bike return service in advance.

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One-Way Cycling Support

Crossing from Honshu to Shikoku, or from Shikoku to Honshu by bicycle is a unique feature of the Shimanami Kaido, so many cyclists want to ride the full route. Some rental bike services support one-way cycling. Depending on whether you use public rental bikes or private rental bike shops, the flexibility of your route will vary.

Public Rental Bikes

The most commonly used public rental bike system has about 10 rental terminals along the route, so you can rent a bike at any terminal and return it at any other terminal. If you’re planning a one-way ride or want to cycle just a part of the Shimanami Kaido, using this public rental system is recommended. There’s a rental terminal right in front of JR Imabari Station, and Onomichi Port Rental Cycle Terminal is within walking distance from JR Onomichi Station.

Private Rental Bikes

For private rental shops, unless you use Giant Stores, which have locations in both Imabari and Onomichi, you generally need to return the bike to the shop where you rented it. Previously, one-way cycling wasn’t possible with most private rentals. However, since 2020, WAKKA, a private cycling support facility on Omishima, started offering a paid bike return service, so one-way rides are now possible if arranged in advance. Some travel agencies like Tabitasu also offer services for one-way cycling.

[Reference] Rental Bikes along the Shimanami Kaido

Wondering how to rent and return bikes along the Shimanami Kaido? This page explains how to do one-way cycling (bike drop-off), available bike types, fees, reservations, and more. In addition to public rentals, private rental shops have become more popular recently. From solo beginner travelers to advanced road cyclists, many use rental bikes to enjoy Shimanami cycling.

This page answers a common beginner question: “Is one-way cycling possible with rental bikes?” with a simple answer and detailed explanation. For other common questions, please visit the FAQ page linked below. We hope this helps with your Shimanami Kaido cycling plans!