Recommended boat and bicycle itinerary
Conquering the Kurushima Strait and Tatara Bridge
This is a cycling course that takes you under two of the most popular bridges on the Shimanami Kaido: the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge and the Tatara Bridge. The Cycle Ship is a luxurious plan that takes you under three bridges: the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge, the Omishima Bridge, and the Tatara Bridge.
For individual travel
Shimanami Kaido
Conquering the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge and Tatara Bridge
Route map
Cycling information
| Tour time (approximate) | 6-7 hours |
|---|---|
| Cycling distance (approximate) | Approximately 15km |
| Minimum number of participants | 2 people (maximum capacity: 42 people) |
| Boat charter fee | Return to Imabari Port: 180,000 yen / Return to Onomichi Port: 200,000 yen |
| Fee for one guide | 28,000 yen (one guide for every eight people) |
A magnificent bridge that connects them with the islands scattered across the beautiful sea.
The beauty of the Shimanami Kaido is a blend of rich nature and people's lives, giving us time to relax.
We read the scenery of the Shimanami Kaido as "Shimanami Scenes."
Imabari to Oshima
Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge
Kurushima Strait is one of Japan's three strongest tidal currents. This treacherous stretch of ocean, with currents reaching 10 knots (approximately 18 km/h), is known to sailors worldwide as a key maritime traffic point, with 500 ships passing through it daily. The world's first triple suspension bridge, collectively known as the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, is a highlight of the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido. The view includes endless expanses of azure sky and sea, distant island silhouettes and island villages nestled below, boats large and small braving the swirling currents, and cyclists tracing straight wakes on the bridge. The world-renowned Kurushima Strait - a 4.1 km stretch that blends seamlessly with the dynamic scenery.
Omishima
Marumado Bakery
Giving back to Omishima, blessed with abundant farmland, through bread making. The shelves are filled with unique breads baked using a mix of mandarin yeast, dough made with naturally cultured koji yeast, Omishima salt, and seasonal organic ingredients. Regular customers come from all over Omishima, including Hakatajima and Ikuchijima, and even drive all the way from Shikoku along the Shimanami Kaido just in time for opening time. Recommended for those who want to sample all the bounty of Omishima!
Omishima to Ikuchijima
Tatara Ohashi Bridge
This bridge spans the calm Tatara Strait in the Seto Inland Sea, connecting Ikuchijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture and Omishima Island in Ehime Prefecture. Reminiscent of a graceful swan spreading its wings, this cable-stayed bridge boasted the world's longest central span at 890 meters upon completion. This outstanding engineering feat led to a sister bridge relationship with France's Normandy Bridge, which was the world's second-longest bridge at the time. Its elegant and refined functional beauty has led to it being called "the most beautiful bridge on the Shimanami Kaido." Additionally, under the bridge's main tower, visitors can experience the "crying dragon" phenomenon, where clapping your hands sends a sound reverberating through the sky, making it a popular experience for cyclists and many other visitors.
