Day 09 – Onomichi (Onomichi Station) to Imabari (Imabari Station)
70km – The inspiration for it all: The Shimanami Kaido. Japan’s most unique cycling route, a hop across the islands of Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oushima, ending on Japan’s lesser known 4th largest island of Shikoku. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the slower pace of island lifestyle as we traverse Japan’s most beautiful cycling day out.
Today is the day to ride one of the main inspirations behind this entire journey. The Shimanami Kaido is probably the most famous cycling route in Japan and it is something I have been wanting to do for years.
Connecting Honshu to Shikoku over 6 islands (Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oushima) via a ferry and 6 bridges with specially made cycle paths, this is the day that the entire Cycle Rise journey was built around. By the end of the day we’ll be on the island of Shikoku, taking us up to a grand total of 11 Japanese islands.
While the route itself is not too tough or long, there are lots of things to stop and see on the way. An industry of cafes and cycling friendly attractions have grown on the route, and of course we’ll be slap bang in the middle of the Seto Inland Sea, getting sweeping views of the water, islands and mountains in the distance.
We’ll eventually arrive in Imabari before exploring the Northern side of Shikoku over the next few days. Located close to our hotel, Imabari Castle – one of the great 3 sea castles of Japan, will be worth a visit before we finish for the day.
Highlights
- 6 small islands & Shikoku
- Wonderful views
- Cycler friendly cafes and cycle paths
- Imabari Castle
Food & Accommodation
While the Shimanami Kaido has lots of cafes, ice cream stores and coffee shops to keep us fueled for the day, once we arrive in Imabari we’ll get our first taste of Shikoku cuisine. An island known for taking popular dishes and giving them their own twist, it will be existing to see how Japanese classics compare to what you get on the bigger islands of Japan. Our hotel will of course have hot baths to help regenerate our tired legs. Hot Springs are another feature of Shikoku due to its mountainous terrain.