Where to Stay on the Shimanami Kaido: Best Cyclist-Friendly Hotels in Imabari & Onomichi

Planning a 2-day Shimanami Kaido cycling trip? Here are the best cyclist-friendly hotels in Imabari and Onomichi based on our real round-trip experience. We focus on bike storage, recovery, and practical details that matter after a long ride.

Before choosing your accommodation, check our full 2-day Shimanami Kaido round trip itinerary starting from Imabari here.

1. Review: JR Clement Inn Imabari

Located right next to Imabari Station, the JR Clement Inn Imabari is highly rated by cyclists, and for good reason.

Cyclist-Friendly Features & Amenities

• Bicycle Storage: They offer rooms where bicycles can be brought inside. The lobby also has space for a few bicycles.
• Excellent Amenities: Besides coffee to bring up to the room, they provide a full set of toiletries: lotion, milky lotion, cleanser, face wash, brush, toothbrush set, and razor.
• Shimanami Lounge: In the evening, the first-floor dining area transforms into the “Shimanami Lounge,” an exclusive common space for guests offering a selection of free drinks.
• Relaxation (Onsen): While rooms have bathtubs, we recommend getting a discount coupon and visiting the nearby Shimanami Onsen Kisuke no Yu to soak away fatigue.
  A small tip: If you want to drink plenty of water after your bath, bring a bottled water, as the water dispenser in the women’s changing room costs ¥100 per cup.

Check Availability & Rates for JR Clement Inn Imabari:

• ✅ View on Expedia (Best for International Travelers)
• ✅ View on IKYU.com (Highly Rated in Japan)

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2. Review: Onomichi Kokusai Hotel

We chose the Onomichi Kokusai Hotel for our overnight stay in Onomichi.

The hotel is easy to find: after taking the Ekimae ferry from Mukaishima (as recommended by the Shimanami Kaido cycling map) and landing in Onomichi, just cycle west along the coastal road.

Storage & Dining Experience

We were looking for covered, secure parking due to the rain forecast, and this hotel offered a lockable, covered bicycle parking area, which was the decisive factor.

• Accommodation Tip: We booked a cheap twin room, which was quite small, and in hindsight, we wished we had paid a little more for a bigger space.
• Dining Highlight: Exhausted from cycling, we didn’t have the energy to venture out (though a Lawson was next door), so we ate at the hotel’s restaurant. This was a fantastic decision! Menus start from around ¥1500, and the food was delicious. You can often get a discount with a coupon from the hotel’s website. The breakfast was also excellent.

Both hotels provided excellent support for cyclists, allowing us to focus on the ride without worrying about our gear.

Popular among cyclists!

▼ Check rates for your dates ▼

Check Availability at Onomichi Kokusai Hotel on IKYU.com

Check Vacancy at Onomichi Kokusai Hotel (Jalan.net) One of Japan’s largest booking sites!

The Essential Strategy for a Shimanami Round Trip

Completing the Shimanami Kaido round trip (over 140km) requires more than just stamina; it requires a strategic recovery plan. JR Clement Inn Imabari and Onomichi Kokusai Hotel are the two essential pillars for this journey.

• In Imabari: Your focus is Body Recovery. Utilize the extensive amenities and the nearby “Kisuke no Yu” Onsen to heal your muscles for the next day’s ride.
• In Onomichi: Your focus is Gear Security & Nutrition. The locked, covered parking protects your bike from the elements, while the hotel’s superb dining refills your energy tanks.

To ensure a successful return journey, securing both of these bases is not just recommended—it is a necessity. Make sure to book both in advance to guarantee your spot at either end of the bridges.

Secure your stay at both ends of the bridges:

Step 1: Imabari Side

JR Clement Inn Imabari　View on Expedia

　　　　　　　　　　　　View on IKYU.com

Step 2: Onomichi Side

Onomichi Kokusai Hotel　View on Jalan.net

　　　　　　　　　　　　　View on IKYU.com

Have a nice trip ! (^^)/

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