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Japan Cycling: Shimanami Kaido Complete Guide 2026 — Quick Answer 70km World-Class Route Across 6 Islands
⚡ 30-Second Verdict: Shimanami Kaido = a 70km cycling route from Onomichi (Hiroshima) to Imabari (Ehime) linking 6 islands, officially ranked among the World's 7 Best Cycling Routes. Full send in 1 day (70km) = for strong riders / 2-3 days at a relaxed pace = recommended. Rental bikes ¥1,500-2,500/day with one-way drop-off, and ¥30,000-60,000 covers a 2-night, 3-day trip. Bridge tolls ¥50-200 × 7 bridges, but free through March 2028 thanks to the extended promotional campaign.
Quick Reference
Value
Total distance
70km (6 islands + 7 bridges)
Recommended days
2-3 days
Bike rental
¥1,500-2,500/day
2-night, 3-day budget
¥30,000-60,000
Bridge tolls
¥50-200/bridge (free through March 2028)
Last verified
June 2026
✓ Last verified: Aug 2026
📖5 min read
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Contents
30-Second Verdict
The four pillars of Shimanami Kaido cycling = rental + pacing + lodging + food.
💰 Budget by Trip Type
Type
Budget
Days
1-day full send (strong riders)
¥6,000-12,000
1 day
2 nights, 3 days, relaxed
¥30,000-60,000
3 days
3 nights, 4 days + sightseeing
¥45,000-80,000
4 days
Luxury ryokan + guided tour
¥80,000-150,000
3-4 days
Route Overview
🚲 Breakdown of the Full 70km
Segment
Distance
Typical Time
Onomichi → Mukaishima
1km (ferry)
10 min
Mukaishima → Innoshima
9km
40 min
Innoshima → Ikuchijima
12km
50 min
Ikuchijima → Omishima
17km
70 min
Omishima → Hakatajima
11km
45 min
Hakatajima → Oshima
10km
40 min
Oshima → Imabari
10km
40 min
Total
70km
5-7 hours (excluding breaks)
Highlights of the 6 Islands
Island
What to Hit
Mukaishima
Directly connected to Onomichi — your launchpad
Innoshima
Hachiman Shrine, hassaku daifuku
Ikuchijima
Hirayama Ikuo Museum, lemons
Omishima
Oyamazumi Shrine, the head shrine of Iyo Province
Hakatajima
Hakata salt, michi-no-eki roadside station
Oshima
Kirosan Observatory (epic panoramic views!)
Bike Rental
🚲 Main Rental Outfits
Company
Price / Day
Notes
Shimanami Kaido Rental Cycle (official)
¥2,000
One-way drop-off OK, 13 locations
Shimanami Japan (e-bike)
¥3,500-5,000
E-bike, climbs handled
GIANT Store Imabari
¥5,000-8,000
Serious road bikes
VELO STATION
¥4,000-6,500
Cross bikes, high flexibility
One-Way Drop-Off Fees
Return to same location: Free
Return to different location: ¥1,500-3,000 extra
E-bike one-way drop-off: ¥3,000-5,000
Recommended Routes
🚴 1-Day Full Send Plan (70km, strong riders)
Time
Action
8:00
Start in Onomichi, ferry across to Mukaishima
10:00
Innoshima Bridge
12:00
Lunch at an Ikuchijima lemon farm
14:00
Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima
15:30
Hakatajima salt ice cream
17:00
Kirosan Observatory on Oshima
18:30
Finish in Imabari
🚴 2-Night, 3-Day Plan (recommended)
Day
Area
Lodging
Day 1
Onomichi → Ikuchijima (30km)
Ikuchijima hotel
Day 2
Ikuchijima → Omishima → Hakatajima (22km)
Hakatajima minshuku
Day 3
Hakatajima → Imabari (18km) + sightseeing
Imabari stay or head home
Where to Stay
🛌 Lodging by Type
Type
Price / Night
Details
Island minshuku
¥6,000-10,000
Home-style local meals, cyclist-friendly
Business hotels (Onomichi/Imabari)
¥8,000-15,000
Tourist-ready, near the station
Ikuchijima resorts
¥15,000-30,000
Oceanfront, onsen
Near Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima
¥10,000-25,000
Steps from the shrine
Cyclist-Friendly Stays
WAKKA (Ikuchijima): Cyclist-exclusive, indoor bike storage
RYOKAN HASHIZUME (Omishima): On-site bike maintenance facilities
ONOMICHI U2 (Onomichi): A hotel built around cyclists
Food
🍜 Must-Try Local Dishes
Onomichi ramen (Onomichi): ¥800-1,200
Hassaku daifuku (Innoshima): ¥250
Ikuchijima lemon sweets: ¥500-1,500
Iyo Province soba near Oyamazumi Shrine (Omishima): ¥800-1,500
Hakata salt ice cream: ¥350
Imabari yakitori: ¥1,500-3,000
💧 Refueling Points
Convenience stores: 1-3 per island
Vending machines: Always at either end of the bridges
Hydration: 2-3L per day recommended (summer)
Gear
🎒 Must-Bring Items
Helmet (often included with rentals)
Gloves, sunglasses
Sunscreen, hat
Rain gear (rainy season)
Power bank
¥20,000+ in cash (small island shops)
Health insurance card / travel insurance
🚴 Clothing
Stretchy pants or cycling kit
Water-resistant jacket
Sneakers or cycling shoes
Best Season
Season
Rating
April-May
⭐⭐⭐ Fresh greenery, ideal weather
June
⭐ Rainy season
July-August
⭐⭐ Hot — ride early morning
September-October
⭐⭐⭐ Crisp autumn skies, peak cyclist season
November
⭐⭐ Fall foliage
December-February
⭐ Cold, gear up
5 Mistakes Tourists Make
Assuming "70km in a day is easy": First-timers should plan 2-3 days
Skipping the e-bike: With this many climbs across 6 islands, e-bikes dominate
Not reserving island meals: Minshuku dinners require advance booking
Slacking on hydration: 2-3L/day is mandatory — map your vending machines
No weather check: Bridges in high winds are dangerous
A: Elementary-age kids + e-bikes can do it (over 2-3 days). For toddlers, choose a shop that offers child seats.
Q: Can I book with a foreign-issued credit card?
A: Major rental companies accept Visa/MC, but small island minshuku are largely cash. Wise/Revolut + ¥20-30K in cash is the safe combo.
Q: What about riding in the rain?
A: Light rain is fine with the right gear, but heavy rain or typhoons = call it off. Bridges get dangerous in high winds — defer to your rental shop's judgment.
Q: What if I want to bring my own bike?
A: Shinkansen rinko bags are free, and ferry rinko fees run ¥500-1,500. If you're riding your own rig, confirm island maintenance facilities ahead of time.
Q: Is the reverse route (Imabari → Onomichi) OK?
A: Equally doable — plan it with Imabari as your start and Onomichi as your finish. Climb direction shifts slightly, so pick based on your fitness.
About: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified 2026-06-07. Prices and weather are rough estimates that vary by season and venue. For final planning, cross-check with the official Shimanami Kaido site + your rental company.