We recently completed a two-day, one-night round-trip cycling challenge on the Shimanami Kaido. We decided to leave our car in either Imabari or Onomichi, and after some research, we ultimately chose Imabari as our base.
This article outlines the decisive factors that led us to choose this itinerary and our accommodation choices.We also share one section where we felt the need to be especially cautious.
🗓 2-Day Shimanami Kaido Round Trip Itinerary (Our Route)
We are both in our 60s (60 and 67), and we completed this round trip using electric bicycles. The e-bikes made the long bridge sections and gradual climbs much more manageable, especially on the return day. Even as beginners, we found this route achievable with proper pacing and planning.
Day 0 (Optional – Arrival in Imabari)
- Arrive in Imabari
- Stay at JR Clement Inn Imabari
- Prepare bicycles and check route
- Optional: Visit Shimanami Onsen Kisuke no Yu for relaxation
Day 1: Imabari → Onomichi (Full Ride Across the Kaido)
- Start: Imabari Station area
- Distance: approx. 70 km
- Ride across the Shimanami Kaido bridges and islands
- Ferry from Mukaishima to Onomichi (short crossing)
- Stay overnight at Onomichi Kokusai Hotel
Focus: Enjoy the full scenic route and secure bike storage overnight.
Day 2: Onomichi → Oshima → Ferry to Imabari
- Cycle back from Onomichi toward Imabari
- Ride until Oshima Island
- Take the ferry from Tomoura Port (Oshima) to Imabari
- Return to parking area and complete the round trip
Total distance (cycling only): approx. 140 km over two days
Looking back, Setoda was the one place where we truly wished we had more time.
If we were planning a relaxed one-way 2-day route, we would definitely stay there overnight.
Pre-Trip Research: Imabari vs. Onomichi — Imabari Wins!
Our decision to park our car in Imabari and start our Shimanami Kaido cycling trip from there was based on three key factors:
- Affordable and Convenient Parking in Imabari.
- The Presence of the Cyclist-Friendly “JR Clement Inn Imabari” near the station.
- Secure Bicycle Storage at “Onomichi Kokusai Hotel” in Onomichi, where we planned to stay overnight.
1. Affordable Parking Found in Imabari
We discovered a 24-hour, ¥500 parking lot right in front of Imabari Station.
This parking lot is very close to the JR Clement Inn Imabari, and since it is quite large, we were able to choose a spot with enough space to conveniently assemble our bicycles. Please note that this parking lot does not have a roof.
2. “JR Clement Inn Imabari” Near Imabari Station
The JR Clement Inn Imabari is highly rated by cyclists.
- Parking is available (though we opted for the cheaper station lot).
- They offer rooms where bicycles can be brought inside.
- 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.
- The lobby also has space for a few bicycles.
- Relaxation: 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.
3. Safe Bicycle Storage at 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.
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.
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A Section Where We Needed Extra Caution: Innoshima Bridge
Overall, we found the Shimanami Kaido very well designed and safe for cyclists. However, there was one section where we personally felt more cautious — the Innoshima Bridge.
On the bridge itself, cars are separated from pedestrians and cyclists. However, bicycles share a relatively narrow lane with motorcycles.
When motorcycles passed us at speed, it honestly felt a little intimidating — especially as riders in our 60s. The space is not wide, and the airflow from passing bikes can make you slightly tense. We focused on keeping a straight line and maintaining balance.
After crossing the bridge, the descent required even more attention. The downhill road is shared with cars, and vehicles often enter at normal driving speed. Some drivers may not immediately expect cyclists on the same road.
The road is narrow with sharp curves, and on an electric bicycle, speed increases quickly. We had to control our brakes carefully to prevent the bike from accelerating too much.
It was absolutely manageable, and we completed it safely — but this was the only section where we felt the need to stay especially alert.
If you are riding at a relaxed pace and stay attentive, this section is manageable — even for senior cyclists like us.
This is the exact location on Google Maps:
Summary of Our Itinerary
As beginners, we tackled the Shimanami Kaido round trip using electric bicycles.
- Outward Trip: We parked our car in Imabari, stayed at the JR Clement Inn Imabari, and then cycled the entire Shimanami Kaido route from Imabari to Onomichi.
- Return Trip: We cycled from Onomichi back to Oshima, and then took a ferry from Tomoura Port (Oshima) back to Imabari to complete our round trip.
Have a nice trip(^^)/
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