Shimanami Kaido - Oshima and Hakata Island Loop - Shimanami Kaido - Oshima and Hakata Island Loop -

Shimanami Kaido
- Oshima and Hakata Island Loop -

Shimanami Kaido
- Oshima and Hakata Island Loop -

【27.2km】Streak through Oshima Island and Hakata Island in the Seto Inland Sea

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Route Introduction

The second island you reach when traveling north on the Shimanami Kaido from Imabari is Hakata Island, historically known for salt production and as a center for maritime trade, while today it is known for the shipbuilding industry. You can take in the dynamic view of huge ships being assembled at the shipyards from the higher ground on the island.

The course around the island is just under 20 kilometers. There are fewer uphill and downhill sections on this route compared to other islands, and it is possible to reach the end in about an hour. On the way you can enjoy beautiful beaches and ample dining options such as Shio-ramen and Shio ice cream (salt flavored ramen and ice cream respectively). Next, you can cross over to Oshima next door where you will find a plethora of sights to see, including the original home base of the Murakami Pirates, the greatest group of pirates in Japanese history. We recommend this route for first time cyclists.

The distance from Imabari to Hakata Island along the Shimanami Kaido is roughly 20 kilometers. You can enjoy the sights of the Seto Inland Sea along the route by bicycle or car, and you can even access the island from Imabari Port. So why not enjoy a cycling trip complete with beautiful views, great dining, and beaches.

TOTAL 27.2 km

Highlights

Route attraction

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【Point 6.8km】Miyakubo Seto Currents

【Point 6.8km】Miyakubo Seto Currents

While the waters of the Seto Inland Sea present an aspect both graceful and elegant, they can also become wildly turbulent at high tide. At Oshima, you can enjoy a dynamic and impressive cruise that will let you see those currents close up. The cruise follows a route around Noshima Castle, once the home base of the Murakami Pirates who controlled the Seto Inland Sea. See up close the dynamic power of nature that once served as a worthy foe for the pirates as they strived to maintain control.

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【Point 6.8km】Noshima Suigun - Seafood Barbecue

【Point 6.8km】Noshima Suigun - Seafood Barbecue

The Setouchi area is best known for its seafood. Visitors to the seafood restaurant Noshima Suigun can enjoy grilling a variety of fresh seafood, caught in Seto Inland Sea, on Shichirin, or portable clay barbecue grills. In addition to octopus, squid, horned turban (Sazae), and sea bream, you can also enjoy delicacies only available from the Seto Inland Sea such as hard shelled mussel, a bivalve mollusc similar to the mussels consumed in the west.

Now you know, so let’s go

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SPOT 1

Roadside Station Hakata S.C. Park Marine Oasis Hakata

Roadside Station Hakata S.C. Park Marine Oasis Hakata

As its name suggests, Marine Oasis Hakata is a veritable oasis for cyclists. Here one can find facilities such as tennis courts, a park, a beach, and showers, as well as a variety of local cuisine.Hakata Island is known for its quality salt production, and the salt ice cream made here is a must-try local specialty.

Address
1668-1 Kanoura, Hakata-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-72-3300
Hours & Holiday
9am - 5pm, Restaurant opens 10am – 3pm

SPOT 2

Murakami Suigun(Navy) Museum

Murakami Suigun(Navy) Museum

Several hundred years ago the Murakami Suigun pirates ruled the more than 1,000 islands of Setouchi. Though many of the mysteries about these pirates are still unsolved, at this museum one can see a wide variety of documents and excavated goods linked the story of the Murakami Suigun. If you are deeply interested in Japanese history, this surely is a place you will want to visit.

Address
1285 Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-74-1065
Hours & Holiday
9am - 5pm, Closed on Mondays

SPOT 3

Miyakubo Seto Currents

Miyakubo Seto Currents

The great beauty of the Seto Inland Sea stands in contract to the powerful currents caused by the changing tides. On this cruise tour, guests can get a close look at the rushing currents around the former stronghold of the Murakami Suigun pirates, Noshima Castle. Experience the dynamic power of nature that once struck fear in the hearts of this band of pirates, the masters of the Setouchi islands.

Address
1293-2 Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-86-3323
Hours & Holiday
9am - 4pm, Closed on Mondays

SPOT 4

Noshima Suigun's Seafood Barbecue

Noshima Suigun's Seafood Barbecue

When it comes to food, Setouchi is nearly synonymous with seafood. At Noshima-Suigun, guests can grill their own seafood caught right here in the Seto Inland Sea on a charcoal grill. Choose from a range of fresh catches such as octopus, squid, turban shell, and a unique mussel-like shellfish called Seto-shell which can only be found here.

Address
1293-2 Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-86-3323
Hours & Holiday
9am - 3pm(L.O.), Closed on Mondays

SPOT 5

Hakata Oshima Bridge

Hakata Oshima Bridge

At 840 meters, the massive bridge that connects Hakata Island and Oshima is unusual in that it consists of a girder bridge and a suspension bridge which are linked together. The views of the blue ocean and Setouchi's many islands seen while cycling across this bridge are breathtaking. While crossing the bridge, one can make a stop on Michika Island, a beautiful uninhabitated island not accessable by car.

Address
Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture

SPOT 6

Patisserie T's café Tamaya

Patisserie T's café Tamaya

The views from Patisserie T's café, located on the coastline of the Seto Inland Sea, are simply spectacular. Clear blue ocean stretches for as far as the eye can see. The sweets served here made with great attention to quality, and are the ultimate Setouchi indulgence. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at this warm and welcoming cafe.

Address
2328 Arouzuko, Hakata-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-72-0343
Hours & Holiday
10am - 5:30pm, Closed on Sundays

SPOT 7

Imai-ryu Kachan-tei

Imai-ryu Kachan-tei

Ōmishima yakisoba omlet, and Imabari grilled pork and egg bowl -- these are some of the most popular cheap-eats in Setouchi. Tired cyclists flock to Imai-ryu Kachan-tei for a lineup of local classic dishes that are sure to peak make anyone's mouth water. There is a shopping center located adjascent to the restaurant for those who need to pick up some necessities.

Address
71 Arouzuko, Hakata-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
090-8284-6029
Hours & Holiday
9am - 8pm, Closed irregularly

SPOT 8

SALTHOUSE

SALTHOUSE

This renovated guesthouse was once a dentist's office built in the early 1900s. At Salthouse, guests can enjoy a retro lifestyle and an escape from daily life. Located 30 minutes away is the Okiura Beach known for its famous scenic views of the sunrise over the Seto Inland Sea.

Address
1293-3 Kinoura, Hakata-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-72-8535
Hours & Holiday
Check-In 4pm - 9pm / Closed winter seasons (Contact for further details)

SPOT 9

Hakata Shio Ramen Sanwa

Hakata Shio Ramen Sanwa

Hakata Shio Ramen Sanwa is a restaurant with locations on Hakata Island and in Hashihama-cho, Imabari-shi. "Salt from the ocean is one of the most precious gifts to humanity," says the owner. Using salt from Hakata, this restaurant serves ramen made with 17 ingredients. The octopus and shellfish bowls are also excellent options.

Address
1650-1 Kinoura, Hakata-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-72-1211
Hours & Holiday
11am - 7pm, Closes at 5pm on Wednesdays, Closed irregularly

SPOT 10

Akakichi

Akakichi

This Michelin star sushi restaurant serves fish caught with the unusual methods of the famed fishermen of Imabari. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this restaurant serves the freshest of all seafood from the Seto Inland Sea. Their rice-filled dashimaki egg omlet is an excellent closing dish.

Address
1203-8 Kitaura Ko, Hakata-cho, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture
Phone
0897-73-0627
Hours & Holiday
6pm - 10pm (Reservations only for lunch) / 火曜定休

GOAL

Roadside Station Hakata S.C. Park Marine Oasis Hakata

Roadside Station Hakata S.C. Park Marine Oasis Hakata

After eating sushi at Akakichi, one might drive the loop around the Hakatajima Kanjosen (Ehime Prefecture Highway 50), or head back once more to Marion Oasis Hakata. If you are heading back to Imabari, you may want to make a stop here before getting on the bus. This is a great place to take a break and enjoy the last of your time on Hakata Island.

GOAL km

Kickoff point for this route

Start Point

Roadside Station Hakata S.C. Park Marine Oasis Hakata

  • Just For Fun
    • By car
      <From Shikoku direction>
      Approximately 30 minutes ride from Imabari City
      <From Honshu (Main Island of Japan) direction>
      Approximately 50 minutes ride from Fukuyama, 40 minutes from Onomichi, 1 minute from Hakata-jima IC of Shimanami-Kaido
    • By bus
      Approximately 3 minutes walk from Hakata Bus stop

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