![[Title] Shimanami Kaido Cycling Information: 2025 Website Activity Report](https://touring-shimanami.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/rep2025e-ogp.png)
Hello. I’m Kawai Yuki, a cyclist living in the Shimanami Kaido area. In this post, I’d like to look back on how my website has grown over the past year.
Introduction
Thank you very much for visiting “Shimanami Cycling Touring Tips” throughout 2025.
This year as well, many cyclists enjoyed traveling along the Shimanami Kaido. From the intense summer heat that makes you sweat even while riding across the bridges, to the quiet winter mornings when mist drifts along the coastal roads—I have continued updating articles and improving the website while experiencing the changing seasons of the Seto Inland Sea firsthand.
As someone who lives in the Shimanami Kaido area, I share information while closely observing the atmosphere on the ground and the trends among travelers. I sometimes receive messages like, “Thanks to your website, I was able to safely complete the ride to Onomichi.” Each time, I’m reminded of how meaningful it is to keep providing this information.
In this article, I will look back on 2025 and share website data and my activities as concretely as possible. Even if this is your first time visiting the site, I hope it gives you a sense of who I am and the thoughts behind my writing.
Understanding 2025 Through Data
Based on Google Analytics data, I’ll take a look at how things have changed compared to 2024.
In 2025, the number of active users was approximately 150,098. This is almost unchanged from 151,611 in 2024, showing that the site continues to be read by a steady number of people. I feel that the demand for planning and experiencing a Shimanami Kaido cycling trip remains strong.
One trend I’ve been paying close attention to is the shift in the ratio of mobile versus desktop users. In 2025, access from desktop devices increased compared to the previous year, suggesting that more people are carefully planning their cycling trips at home. At the same time, mobile usage still accounts for the majority, likely because many travelers use the site on the go—for navigation or as a kind of “safety guide” during their trip.
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Users | 151,611 | 150,098 |
| Mobile Users | 101,252 | 94,241 |
| Desktop Users | 47,265 | 52,376 |
Some travelers check routes on their smartphones while cycling, while others carefully plan their trips on a PC at home. I want to continue improving the structure and clarity of my articles so that they are helpful for both types of users.
Top 5 Most Relied-on Articles in 2025
Next, here are the top 5 most-read articles in 2025.
The most popular article was the “1-night, 2-day model course.” It’s aimed at people who want to ride the full Shimanami Kaido for the first time but aren’t sure how to plan it. It continues to be consistently popular every year. I hope it helps ease the very real feeling of “I want to complete it—but I’m a bit anxious.”
| Rank | Article Title | Views |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [1 Night / 2 Days Model Course] Complete the Shimanami Kaido Even as a Beginner! A Classic Route and Must-Stop Spots | 10,371 |
| 2 | [Complete Ferry Guide] Ferries and Passenger Boats on the Shimanami Kaido – How to Use Them with Your Bicycle | 10,195 |
| 3 | [Can You Walk It?] Exploring the Shimanami Kaido on Foot – From Casual Routes to More Serious Challenges | 8,581 |
| 4 | [Access Guide] How to Get to Imabari or Onomichi by Public Transport from Major Cities | 8,317 |
| 5 | [9 Parking Options] Free and Convenient Parking for Car-Based Cycling in Imabari, Onomichi, and the Islands | 7,107 |
Many of the top articles focus on the “starting point” of a Shimanami Kaido trip—such as ferry use (ranked 2nd), access methods (4th), and parking (5th). Questions like “How do I get there?”, “Where can I rent a bike?”, and “What if I want to stop halfway?” seem to remain the same concerns for first-time visitors.
I was also struck by the article ranked 3rd, which focuses on walking and running. It reminded me that quite a few people want to experience the Shimanami Kaido in ways other than cycling. I’d like to expand support for these different travel styles going forward.
Since I first started this website, my goal has been to help turn uncertainty into confidence through information. Seeing that all of the top 5 articles are highly practical makes me feel that this intention is reaching people.
The Value of AI Search and on-the-Ground Information
One of the biggest changes I noticed in 2025 is the growing use of AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity for gathering information. Even for me, there are more situations where asking AI feels faster than using traditional search engines.
Looking at referral data in Google Analytics, I can see a gradual increase in traffic from AI and specialized search platforms. The numbers are still small, but I believe this trend will continue to accelerate.
| Traffic sources from AI / specialized search (2025 sessions) | Number |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT (chatgpt.com) | 1,186 |
| Perplexity (perplexity.ai, etc.) | 207 |
| Microsoft Copilot | 114 |
| Google Gemini | 40 |
Today, you can quickly find “recommended lunch spots” or “basic information about the Shimanami Kaido” using AI. That made me seriously think about what unique value a personal website can offer.
The answer I arrived at is simple: to visit the places myself and write about what I actually experience. Practical content like GPX files and maps, as well as sensory details like the wind on the bridges or real voices from travelers—these are things that can’t easily be conveyed through data alone. I want to focus even more on this kind of first-hand information.
I also believe that readers trust information more when they know who is behind it. In 2025, I expanded my author profile page to include my cycling experience and track record in the Shimanami Kaido. Since I don’t show my face, I hope that my writing and accumulated real experiences serve as the foundation of trust.
Responding to Inbound Tourism Demand
Another noticeable change on the ground is the increase in international visitors, especially from Western countries. The Shimanami Kaido has long been known as an international cycling route, but in recent years its presence has grown even more.
In response, I focused more on creating English pages in 2025. While I don’t consider my English to be perfect, I use tools like ChatGPT to support translation and writing. Rather than simply translating Japanese articles, I try to adapt the content to the needs and perspectives of international travelers.
For example, things that are obvious to people living in Japan—like driving on the left side of the road or using luggage delivery services—can be completely unfamiliar to visitors from abroad. Topics like how rental bikes work, one-way rental systems, and how to use ferries also need to be explained differently than in the Japanese version.
The English content is still developing, but I’m carefully building it with the hope that more travelers can enjoy the Shimanami Kaido with confidence, regardless of language barriers.
Looking Ahead for Shimanami Cycling Touring Tips
As of January 2026, the website has grown to around 200 articles in both Japanese and English combined. From basic cycling information to surrounding routes and seasonal tips, I feel that the content has become quite comprehensive.
Because of this, I now spend more time updating and refining existing articles rather than creating entirely new ones. Information about services and facilities can change, so keeping content up to date is an important—if sometimes quiet—part of the work.
In addition, the survey of cycling travelers that I’ve been conducting since 2023 was completed in 2025, and I have now moved into the analysis phase. I’m starting to see concrete data on things like the proportion of beginners, travel styles, and common concerns. What I previously wrote based on intuition can now be supported by real data, and I plan to gradually reflect this in future articles.
Future initiatives
Looking ahead, I would like to focus on three main directions.
First, creating “emotionally supportive content.” I want to produce more articles that relate to the real concerns of travelers, such as “Is the Shimanami Kaido too difficult?” or “What if I feel like giving up halfway?” I’d like to go beyond guidebook-style information and create content that resonates on a personal level.
Second, improving reliability through data. I plan to enhance content that uses survey results and weather data, helping readers visualize their trip more clearly with concrete numbers.
Third, improving the quality of social media communication. While my follower count on X and Instagram is growing gradually, I want to prioritize quality over quantity and continue sharing content that serves as a gateway to the website.
Thank You
Thank you very much for using “Shimanami Cycling Touring Tips” throughout 2025.
Even in an era where AI can deliver information instantly, what I value on this website remains unchanged: sharing honest, first-hand information as a cyclist living in the Shimanami Kaido area—riding, feeling, and verifying everything myself. I hope to continue providing information that helps turn travelers’ anxiety into confidence.
I believe many cyclists will travel this beautiful route of sea and islands again next year. I sincerely hope your journey will be safe and enjoyable. I’d be happy if you continue to use “Shimanami Cycling Touring Tips” as a companion for your trip.
On this page, I’ve looked back on the 2025 operation of “Shimanami Cycling Touring Tips” while analyzing Google Analytics data. I would be very happy if my content helps with planning your Shimanami Kaido cycling trip or inspires you to give it a try.