At the start of your journey, head to this cycling terminal near Imabari Station. You can of course rent bikes here, but the facility also offers showers, storage lockers and various other welcome options for the traveling cyclist. The staff here will also give you information about the area, so make sure to check for the latest updates before hitting the road. There are even attached accommodations with every room overlooking the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge

The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge links Imabari and Oshima with a total span of 4 km, making it the longest bridge on the Shimanami Kaido. The best places to take in the dramatic effect of the bridge up close are the Kurushima Kaikyo Observatory and Itoyama Observation Deck at Itoyama Park, both of which offer views of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the bridge. The bridge is also lit up occasionally (most often on weekends and public holidays), so you may get a chance to enjoy a romantic nightscape as well.

Nomauma Highland offers visitors a chance to see rare Nomauma ponies, a breed endemic to Japan. This massive site covers nearly 14 acres, and includes open areas where you can interact with guinea pigs and other small creatures as well as picnic areas and a museum on the Nomauma ponies called the Makiba-kan—making it a fun stop for families as well. Seasonal flowers bloom in various places throughout the park, so you’re sure to find something to enjoy on multiple visits.

Kikuma kawara are a type of high-quality roof tile that has been produced in the Kikuma district of Imabari for some 750 years. They’re famous for having been presented to the Ministry of the Imperial Household (now the Imperial Household Agency) for use on the Imperial Palace. Kawara no Furusato Park is made to showcase these Kikuma kawara tiles. In the main building, the Kawara-kan, you can see dioramas depicting artisans making the tiles by hand, tiles damaged in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on permanent loan from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and other precious artifacts. It’s a great place to experience the history and culture of Japan’s kawara roof tiles, which play a key role in the beautiful aesthetic of Japanese architecture.

This roadside station offers sweeping views of the islands dotting the Seto Inland Sea against the backdrop of the lush greenery of Mt. Takanawa. It’s a welcoming space to rest, complete with bike racks, rest areas, a restaurant, and an open-air market. The market offers a great selection of different mikan citrus varieties along with samples, so you can try a few and discover your favorites. If you visit the restaurant, try the Hojo taimeshi—a delicious rice cooked in kelp broth with grilled sea bream.

Seapa Makoto is a relaxation complex where visitors can enjoy natural hot spring water bubbling up from 650 m (2130 ft) underground. The ocean views overlooking Kashima island from the outdoor baths are sure to relax both body and mind. There’s also a full spa menu featuring acupressure foot massages and more, so rush on over if you’re tired from your ride.

Just a short distance from Seapa Makoto is the Kashima Park ferry boarding area to Kashima Island, reachable in about three minutes once you board the boat. The “ka” in Kashima is written with the character for “deer,” and the island is a national park known for the deer that live there. There’s an observation deck at the highest point that affords sweeping views of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and the Hojo area, while the gorgeous coasts offer opportunities for swimming in summer. Board one of the cruise boats that leaves from Kashima Port to see some of the nearby islands up close—including Gyokuri-Kandojima, known for its beautiful sunsets. Kashima is a tiny island with a coastline just 1.5 km long, so it’s easy to park your bike at the Kashima Park ferry boarding area and pop over for a visit.

Utsubo-ya is a longstanding Japanese confectioner established in 1954. The shop features a wide selection of treats, from botchan-dango (a famous Matsuyama confection that appears in the novel Botchan by Natsume Soseki) to original creations like matcha-flavored tarts. Utsubo-ya is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, thanks to its many simple, yet richly flavored Japanese confections. Treat yourself to something deliciously sweet to keep up your energy for the ride.

Shijushima is a tiny island located about 150 m off the Kuroiwa cape south of Takahama Port. It got the widely-used nickname “Turner Island” because the pines growing on it are shaped like the pines in paintings by British artist William Turner—and the sight of Shijushima from the pier in Takahama Port looks straight out of a famous painting. Hop off your bike and take a moment to enjoy the view.

Shiraishi Honpo is another renowned Japanese confectioner that has been in business for over 130 years. Their specialty is shoyu-mochi, a well-known traditional snack in Matsuyama that’s made by mixing rice flour with soy sauce and sugar, then steaming it. The shop sells shoyu-mochi with different fillings as well as shoyu-mochi with yuzu citrus, matcha, or other flavors. Even the locals love them—so much that they frequently sell out. You can buy them individually, so it’s a great place to drop in for a quick powerup during your ride.

Irohaya is a local bakery with four locations in Matsuyama city. This hidden gem is famous for its mikan citrus melon bread (which you can buy at the Matsuyama Airport location), but the Shimizu location choses to forgo this popular product in order to focus its lineup exclusively on the original creations that the locals love, made with fresh local ingredients—like their sozai-pan topped with fruits and vegetables grown in Ehime Prefecture. Don’t pass it up if you get in the mood for a snack during your ride.

Matsuyama Castle is a must-see for anyone visiting Matsuyama. Located in the center of the city and constructed at an elevation of 132 m (433 ft) on a hill called Katsuyama. There are plenty of things to see at the castle, which incredibly houses 21 important cultural properties. There are kawara tiles engraved with the family crest of the Tokugawa (three hollyhock leaves), the clan that ruled Japan between the early 17th and late 19th centuries, and turrets in strange and unique shapes that can’t be found anywhere else. You can get to the main keep at the top of the hill by walking up the path to the top, or by using the ropeway or chairlift. Make sure to go up to the top floor of the keep for lovely panoramic views of the city. The main structure is also lit up at night, creating a wonderful sight from the outside as well.

At the base of the hill on which Matsuyama Castle stands is a Western-style building that looks like a castle straight out of a fairy tale. The opulent interior is complete with chandeliers and marble mantlepieces. It’s used as a venue for photography exhibitions, concerts, and other events throughout the year, so make sure to check the schedule before you visit.

As you head down the slope from Bansuiso, you’ll find a beautiful concrete structure. It’s a historical museum dedicated to Saka no Ue no Kumo (Clouds Above the Hill), a work by Ryotaro Shiba, one of Japan’s most celebrated historical novelists. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. There’s a café on the second floor where you can sip a great cup of coffee or some mikan citrus juice. Look out through the many windows and enjoy the greenery of the castle hill as you take a moment to relax.