Hi All,
Planning a Shimanami Kaido cycling trip as part of my wider trip to Japan in early September and just wanted to check I’m not missing anything/it’s all doable in the time. I will be doing it on a weekday.
I will be traveling to it from Osaka and will be heading onto Hiroshima after. I would have preferred to start/stay the night in Onomichi but as far as I can tell starting at Imabari will make the onward journey easier. Also just wanted to check that there was no disadvantage to doing the Shimanami Kaido the reverse way to most people.
**Day 1:**
\- Take the train from Osaka to Imabari
\- Stay the night at Imabari
**Day 2:**
\- Send luggage ahead to Hiroshima hotel
\- Start the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari after picking up bikes
\- Cycle to Omishima and stay the night
**Day 3:**
\- Take the ferry to Okunoshima (bunny island) in the morning
\- Return from Okunoshima around 12 and continue the cycle ride
\- Finish the Shimanami Kaido and travel onto Hiroshima
Thanks!
3 comments
I’m also starting in inmabari for my upcoming trip. I opted to take the orange ferry in Osaka over night to imabari side. For a bit more money I save time on staying a night in imabari and travel time. As far as I know, starting in imabari is a little bit easier since the wind will be to your back and you get to enjoy onomichi at the end of the bike session.
I don’t think it makes much difference which way you cycle it to be honest. I went the other way over 3 days a few weeks back and that way you get the longest and most impressive bridge at the end. But I am sure it would be pretty much as lovely the other way.
You will need to press on once off Okunoshima to get to Hiroshima that night but as long as you don’t mind not having the time to take in more sights you should be fine to get back to Onimichi and take the train.
Looks fine to me! Enjoy