Michi-no-Eki Tatara Shimanami Park

There is one place almost everyone who rides the Shimanami Kaido stops at: Michi-no-Eki Tatara Shimanami Park, on the Omishima side near the Tatara Bridge, which spans the border between Omishima and Ikuchijima.

This roadside station is around the middle of the Shimanami Kaido, so whether you start from Onomichi or Imabari, it works as a turnaround point or midway checkpoint. With bike stands, water and places to rest, many cyclists stop here to refuel, rest and take photos.

A monument in one corner of the roadside station is carved with the words "Sanctuary for Cyclists." It symbolizes the international recognition of the Shimanami Kaido as a cycling road.

The monument was installed in 2014 to mark CNN's selection of the Shimanami Kaido as one of the "7 most incredible bike routes in the world." Cyclists come not only from Japan but from Taiwan, Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, and a photo in front of this monument has become a kind of proof that you rode the Shimanami Kaido.

From the roadside station, the graceful shape of the Tatara Bridge catches the eye. It is a cable-stayed bridge (cables run diagonally from the towers), and its main towers reach 226 m. When it was completed in 1999, it was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.

Looking up from the foot of the bridge, you can see the cables fanning out up close. Taking in the whole bridge from here before or after you ride across it makes the crossing more rewarding.

If you put your ear near the cables, you may hear wind vibrations known as the "sound of Tatara." Some people come just to hear it.

The roadside station's shop sells farm and sea products from the Seto Inland Sea, especially from Omishima.

Citrus: Omishima grows many kinds of citrus, including mandarins, lemons, iyokan and amanatsu, and freshly picked fruit is sold in season. Many cyclists buy mandarins or Pon juice to refuel on the ride.

Seafood and processed foods: Processed products made with sea bream, octopus and other local seafood are sold, along with side dishes made from local ingredients.

Soft-serve and sweets: Citrus soft-serve and local juice are popular standard snacks for cyclists.

The roadside station has facilities designed for cyclists.

• Bike stands: several stands for safely parking bikes
• Pumps and tools: for topping up tire pressure and basic maintenance (check in advance)
• Water and toilets: for refilling and resting during your ride
• Rest area: outdoor benches and tables with a view of the Tatara Bridge

Supply points on the Shimanami Kaido are spread out island by island, so a proper rest and refuel here is key on a long ride. See the Shimanami Kaido cycling guide for more on planning.

Head inland on Omishima from the roadside station and you reach Oyamazumi Shrine, known as the guardian shrine of all Japan. Starting here, visiting the shrine, then crossing (or returning over) the Tatara Bridge is a standard way to see Omishima.

Omishima's sights are spread around the island, so looping it by bike, from the roadside station to Oyamazumi Shrine and along the coast, is an efficient way to see them.

By bike, Tatara Shimanami Park is about 30 km from the cycling start point in front of Onomichi Station. The ferry from the start point to Mukaishima covers about 0.5 km, and from Mukaishima to the park we measured 26.9 km by car. Bike paths run longer than the road because of the ramps up to the bridges, so allow around 30 km. It is about 30 km from Imabari. If you ride the whole Shimanami Kaido in one day, it is common to take lunch and a rest around here.

By car it is about 10 minutes from Omishima IC. There is a large parking lot, which suits people who combine a car and bike trip. The Ikuchijima cycling guide covers the ride to the Tatara Bridge from the Ikuchijima side.