Tachibana Beach, Mukaishima

Tachibana Beach in Mukaishima-cho is a sand beach in the southwest of Mukaishima, Onomichi. It is not a developed tourist spot but a natural seaside where locals come to walk and fish, with the gentle waves and wide sky typical of the Seto Inland Sea.

Across the water, Innoshima, Ikuchijima and other islands line up, and on clear days you can see far. The beach is also along the Shimanami cycling route, one of the first places where cyclists who have crossed to Mukaishima feel they have reached the sea.

Tachibana Beach looks completely different from season to season. In summer, blue sky and deep green hills reflect on the sea in a lively scene. In winter, the air is clear and you can see distant islands sharply, facing the sea in stillness.

The beach is natural, with fine sand mixed with pebbles, and you can enjoy the changing light as you walk along the water's edge. In the afternoon, when the western sun shines in, the water glows gold and the same place feels completely different.

Early morning (5–6 a.m., just after sunrise) We visited around 5:30 a.m. on April 12, 2026. There was almost no one around, and we had the beach completely to ourselves. Soft orange light just after sunrise colored the sea, and in the quiet, with only the sound of the waves, we could face the Seto Inland Sea head-on. It is close enough to stop by before setting off on a ride, so we especially recommend this time if you start early.

Ride a little beyond the Tachibana Beach area and you reach the piers of the Innoshima Bridge, the first bridge on the Shimanami Kaido. It is a 1,270 m suspension bridge linking Mukaishima and Innoshima, opened in 1983, one of the oldest bridges on the route.

For cyclists coming along the cycling road, this is where the feeling of "now the Shimanami Kaido really starts" builds. Looking up from right below the piers, you are struck by the contrast between the huge structure and the calm sea. The blue line of the cycling road continues under the bridge, leading you to the next island.

The Shimanami cycling route runs about 70 km from Onomichi through Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima to Imabari in Ehime. Tachibana Beach is in the southwest of the first island, Mukaishima, the section where cyclists who have crossed by ferry from Onomichi first feel how good it is to ride along the sea.

Starting from Onomichi

Take the ferry from Onomichi Port, about 5 minutes on foot from the station, and land on Mukaishima in 5–10 minutes. You can roll your bike on board, so there is no need for a bike bag. Once on Mukaishima, the blue line of the cycling road runs along the coastal prefectural road and naturally leads you southwest.

The route along Tachibana Beach

The coastal section is open, with the beach and sea on your left and green hills on your right. Traffic is fairly light, so even first-time Shimanami riders can ride with confidence. Stopping your bike where you can see the beach, looking at the sea and taking a break to the sound of waves is the way to enjoy the Tachibana area.

Approaching the Innoshima Bridge

Past Tachibana Beach, the piers of the Innoshima Bridge come into view. Go under the bridge and cross it on the dedicated cycling path to reach the next island, Innoshima. Riding on Mukaishima covers about 15–20 km with few ups and downs, an easy route for beginners. Riding only Mukaishima as a day trip is also popular: Onomichi to Mukaishima to Tachibana Beach, turning back just before the Innoshima Bridge, is known as an easy way to experience the Shimanami Kaido.

Walking

Tachibana Beach is pleasant to simply walk along, even without a particular goal. Watch the islands as you walk the water's edge, pick up shells washed ashore, or relax with the smell of the sea. Because it is not touristy, there are few people and you can spend your time at your own pace.

Fishing

Local anglers like Tachibana Beach too. You can fish for kisu (sillago) and goby from the beach, or aim for horse mackerel and halfbeak from the seawall along the shore.

However, the currents here are fast, and they can become especially strong near the Innoshima Bridge. Avoid fishing from unstable footing and do not let children go into the sea alone. Wear a life jacket and fish from a safe spot. We also recommend checking high and low tide times and current conditions in advance.

Ferry from Onomichi to Mukaishima

From Onomichi Port, about 5 minutes on foot from Onomichi Station, the ferry crosses to Mukaishima in about 5–10 minutes. You can bring a bike, and fares are low, which makes Mukaishima easy to visit.

From Mukaishima to Tachibana Beach

After landing on Mukaishima, head southwest along the coastal prefectural road for about 15–20 minutes by car or bike. The Onomichi Bus Tachibana Line runs here, but buses are infrequent, so check the timetable in advance.

Cautions

Stay away from the beach on days with strong wind, heavy rain or high waves. In summer the sun is strong, so protect yourself from sunburn and drink plenty of water.

Mt. Takami Observatory is a few minutes' drive from Tachibana Beach. From its 283 m summit you can see the Seto Inland Sea in a wide 240° view, and visiting both is a standard Mukaishima outing. For general Shimanami cycling information, see the cycling guide.