SIGHTSEEING SPOTS
Spots along the Shimanami Kaido, grouped by island in route order from Onomichi to Imabari. Each page has photos, access details and tips for visiting by bike.
31 spots
Start · Onomichi town
A temple of the Jodo Seizan Zenrinji school halfway up Mt. Senkoji in Onomichi. Its quiet grounds, surrounded by stone steps and greenery, blend into Onomichi's hillside scenery. A familiar stop on the Onomichi temple walk together with Senkoji and Komyoji.
A quiet temple halfway up Mt. Senkoji. The Nobi-Nobi Jizo in its grounds is known for prayers for good relationships and safe childbirth. Away from the tourist crowds, it is a lesser-known stop where you can take in Onomichi's slopes and stone steps at your own pace.
An old temple of the Jodo Seizan Zenrinji school halfway up Mt. Senkoji in Onomichi. From its quiet grounds you can see the Onomichi Channel. A calm stop on the Onomichi temple walk, often visited together with Senkoji and the Path of Literature.
A popular cat spot in Onomichi: a stone-paved lane (1–2 m wide, about 200 m long) at the foot of Mt. Senkoji with more than 100 fukuishi-neko (lucky stone cats). 15 minutes on foot from JR Onomichi Station, 5 minutes from the Mt. Senkoji Ropeway lower station. Cat art on the steps, murals, a cat shrine and a viewpoint pack the lane with cat culture.
About 230 m, a 4-minute walk, from JR Onomichi Station. Five shopping streets, including Fumiko-dori, run for about 1.2 km with around 210 shops. More than 10 shops over 100 years old remain. The center of sightseeing in Onomichi.
The JR West station that is the starting point for Shimanami Kaido cycling and the gateway to Onomichi. The ferry to Mukaishima and the way up Mt. Senkoji are close by, and Onomichi ramen and the shopping street are easy to reach. The renovated station building and the view of the Onomichi Channel are worth a look too.
One of Onomichi's largest old temples, said to date from the Nara period. Its famous giant straw sandal, hung on the Nio Gate, draws a steady stream of visitors praying for strong legs. With spacious grounds and a three-story pagoda, it is one of the most prestigious temples on any Onomichi temple walk.
An old Shingon temple founded in 806. One of the defining sights of Onomichi, the starting point of Shimanami Kaido cycling, its vermilion main hall looks out over the Onomichi Channel. Giant boulders, a chain-climbing course and the Path of Literature give you plenty to see.
A Zen temple founded in the Muromachi period. Its three-story pagoda, seen from the sea side, is one of Onomichi's best-known views and has appeared in many paintings and photos. On the path up to Senkoji Park, it is a standard stop on any Onomichi temple walk.
One of the oldest shrines in Onomichi. A giant camphor tree designated a Hiroshima Prefecture natural monument towers over the grounds, and the shrine is famous as a location for Nobuhiko Obayashi's film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. At the foot of Mt. Senkoji, it is a must on any Onomichi walk.
Island 1
Tachibana Beach is a natural sand beach in southwestern Mukaishima, in the starting area of the Shimanami Kaido cycling route. It faces the Innoshima Bridge up close, and you can walk, fish and dig for clams. Around 5–6 a.m. there is no one around, and you can have the sunrise over the sea to yourself.
An observatory on the summit of Mt. Takami (283 m), the highest point on Mukaishima. A panorama of about 240° stretches from the Innoshima Bridge to the Tatara Bridge, changing from sunrise to sunset and night. Parking at the summit (4–5 cars). About 20–30 minutes from Onomichi Station by ferry and car.
Island 2
Hassakuya is the original maker of hassaku daifuku, the sweet born on Innoshima. Hassaku citrus wrapped in white bean paste and soft mochi has a flavor that keeps people coming back. A standard food stop on Innoshima for Shimanami Kaido cyclists, popular across Japan.
Innoshima Amenity Park is a free seaside park in Ohama-cho, northern Innoshima. It has the sand of Shimanami Beach, bike racks, a covered rest area with vending machines, a cafe and large play equipment. Parking for 81 cars, about 10 minutes by car from Innoshima-kita IC. A good rest stop on a ride.
A hilltop flower park on Innoshima with roses, daffodils and other seasonal flowers, plus views over the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. A quiet place to take a break when cycling the Shimanami Kaido.
A castle linked to the Murakami navy, which controlled the Seto Inland Sea in the Sengoku period. The replica keep displays weapons, documents and other records of the sea clans. A key history stop when cycling Innoshima on the Shimanami Kaido.
Innoshima's leading old shrine, visited by cyclists from all over Japan to pray to the god of bicycles for safe riding. The purification spot for bicycles and two-wheelers is packed with ema prayer plaques. A power spot to stop at on Innoshima when cycling the Shimanami Kaido.
An unusual sacred mountain on Innoshima with more than 500 stone Buddhas lining the summit. Rows of arhat statues against the islands of the Seto Inland Sea make it one of the most unusual places on the Shimanami Kaido. A summit viewpoint worth the climb when cycling Innoshima.
Island 3
A museum of works by Ikuo Hirayama, the internationally known painter from Setoda on Ikuchijima. See his large Silk Road paintings at an unhurried pace on an island in the Seto Inland Sea. A must-visit stop on Ikuchijima for Shimanami Kaido cyclists.
Kosanji is a grand Showa-era temple in Setoda, Ikuchijima. More than 15 buildings modeled on famous architecture such as Byodoin and Toshogu line its grounds, and its marble garden, the Hill of Hope, is one of the most photogenic spots on the Shimanami Kaido. Admission 1,800 yen, 10 minutes on foot from Setoda Port.
Setoda Sunset Beach (nicknamed Shimanami Lemon Beach) is a swimming beach with about 451 m of sand in Tarumi, Ikuchijima. Swimming season runs from early July to late August, parking for 100 cars is free, and bike rental is open all year. About 10 minutes from Ikuchijima-minami IC, a handy stop on a Shimanami Kaido ride.
Island 4
A power spot on Omishima known for blessings for victory in martial arts and sports and for good relationships. Head shrine of more than 10,000 Yamazumi and Mishima shrines across Japan, with a 2,600-year-old sacred camphor tree and a treasure hall holding about 80% of Japan's designated armor and weapons. About 10 minutes by car from Omishima IC on the Shimanami Kaido.
A park at the foot of the Tatara Bridge with the "Sanctuary for Cyclists" monument. Many cyclists stop here for a photo as a midway point on the Shimanami Kaido. On the prefectural border between Omishima and Ikuchijima, with a close-up view of the bridge.
Island 5
A roadside shop and rest stop on Hakatajima, the island known for Hakata salt. Salt soft-serve, salt lemon ramen and other local food make it a popular place to rest and refuel on a Shimanami Kaido ride.
A hilltop park in the middle of Hakatajima. About 3,000 cherry trees bloom in spring, with views of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, Imabari and Omishima. Hakatajima's top spot for cherry blossoms and views on the Shimanami Kaido.
Island 6
An observatory park on the summit of Mt. Kiro, the highest point on Oshima. The 360° panorama looking down on the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge is one of the best views on the Shimanami Kaido, and a great reward for cyclists who conquer the steep climb.
A service area on the Nishiseto Expressway on Oshima. Its observation deck, free to enter from local roads without using the expressway, looks out over all three spans of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge (about 4.1 km in total). It also has a shop with specialties from all four Shikoku prefectures and an outdoor food stand.
A museum of Murakami Kaizoku (the Murakami pirates) in Miyakubo on Oshima. Detailed exhibits and films show who the sea clans that controlled the Seto Inland Sea really were. Oshima's leading history stop on the Shimanami Kaido.
A roadside complex on Oshima at the foot of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge. Fresh Seto Inland Sea seafood, BBQ and tidal current cruises. A handy stop on the Oshima side of the Shimanami Kaido, with food, rest and rental bikes in one place.
Finish · Imabari
One of Japan's three great sea castles, with seawater drawn into its moats. Built by Todo Takatora in 1602, the castle and its broad moat facing Imabari Port are impressive. A historic site visited by many as the symbol of Imabari, the Shikoku gateway to the Shimanami Kaido.
The cycling terminal on the Imabari side of the Shimanami Kaido. At the foot of the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, it offers bike rental, returns and accommodation. The place to start or finish when riding the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari.
