This course takes you to Takamatsu, Matsuyama and Hiroshima, the main cities of Chūgoku and Shikoku.
Enjoy the different attractions of Takamatsu, gateway to Shikoku, Matsuyama with its castle and onsen, and Hiroshima, a city with two World Heritage Sites.
Cycling the Shimanami Kaidō is a great way to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
4 nights and 5 days from Kansai International Airport
Hotel in Matsuyama
JR Matsuyama Station
(There are coin-operated lockers in JR Matsuyama Station.)
About 35 minutes by JR Yosan Line express train
JR Imabari Station
About 10 minutes by taxi
You can also rent bicycles at Giant Store Imabari in Imabari Station.
It takes about 25 minutes to Itoyama Park.
01. Itoyama Park and Sunrise Itoyama (Lunch)
From Itoyama Park, you can see the massive Kurushima Straits suspension bridge.
The rapid current of the Kurushima Straits flows before your eyes, and in the distance you can see beautiful islands linked by giant bridges.
Below the park is Sunrise Itoyama, a facility with a restaurant and accommodation, and over 500 rental cycles.
It serves as a base for cycling on the Shimanami Kaidō.
The rental cycles include mountain bikes, cross bikes, road bikes, children’s bikes and electric assist bikes.
It takes about an hour and a half to cycle from Sunrise Itoyama across the Kurushima Straits Bridge to Roadside Station Yoshiumi Iki-iki Kan and back.
Of course you can turn back at any time.
02. The Shimanami Kaidō and Kurushima Straits Bridge
This route joining Imabari in Ehime Prefecture and Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture is about 60 km long. The cycle path is about 80 km.
The Kurushima Straits Bridge is the first bridge on the Ehime Prefecture side. About 4 km long, it’s the world’s first three-span suspension bridge.
It has a path for bicycles and pedestrians. From the bridge you can see the tidal current beneath you and many jewel-like islands.
Many people enjoy walking or cycling across in the salt air.
Itoyama Park and Sunrise Itoyama
About 10 minutes by taxi (or about 25 minutes on a rental cycle)
JR Imabari Station
About 35 minutes by JR Yosan Line express train
JR Matsuyama Station
About 20 minutes by Matsuyama Kankōkō Port Limousine Bus
Matsuyama Kankōkō Port
About 1 hour and 10 minutes by high-speed boat
Hiroshima Port (Ujina)
About 30 minutes by tram