Things to Do

Take your time exploring the island streets by bicycle. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’re sure to make all kinds of fun discoveries on this tour! A casual, wandering bicycle tour is the perfect way to make the most of this tiny island packed with fun things to do.

Hiking is another great way to experience the magic of the beautiful islands of Setouchi! The gorgeous ocean views from the top are nearly impossible to put into words. You’ll be accompanied by a guide who not only knows the best views, but is also an expert on the area’s history, culture, and natural wonders of its remote islands.

Try sea kayaking and take in the natural wonders of the local islands with an experienced guide. There are a wide variety of tour options available, from lessons for beginners to half-day, full-day, and sunset tours. You can even take an overnight camping tour!

Rent a scooter or hybrid bicycle and take a tour with our adventurous guide Matt from New Zealand! We’ll put together a custom package to suit your interests. Experience life on a Japanese island, the wonders of nature, and more! There are plenty of options to choose from on this tour.

Stand-up paddle board is the perfect way to experience the gentle waves off the coast of Kamijima. First time on a SUP? No problem! Our licensed instructors will take the time to show you everything you need to know. Relax and enjoy a fun and safe SUP experience.

Nothing puts you into a dreamy, festive mood like an island cruise. Hop on a catamaran built by our expert marine craftsman Sam, a New Zealand transplant, and explore the islands. Float, drift, play... the sea is yours to discover!

Umashima Island sits halfway along the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge. Umashima means “horse island.” It got its name during the Edo period, when the Imabari clan would turn their horses out to graze on the tiny island--which has an area of just 0.5 km2 with 3.7 km of coastline. Private cars aren’t allowed on Umashima, so overnight visitors must either be picked up in special vehicles or take a leisurely cruise on a pleasure boat from Imabari Port out to the island. Guests will enjoy a stay at the relaxing GLAMPROOK Shimanami on the island. This extensive package also includes e-bike rentals, so you can casually cycle around and enjoy everything the island has to offer. Step into another world and free yourself from the cares of your daily life with this premium relaxation experience, ensconced in the magic of a tiny island.

Travel over the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and to the Ohshima Kirosan Observatory Park on an e-bike! E-bikes make it easy to travel up inclines that would be difficult on a regular bicycle, making this route accessible to people of all abilities. Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, or “the crown bridge,” is the biggest attraction along the Shimanami Kaido. This four-kilometer suspension bridge hangs 65 meters over the ocean, creating a dramatic effect that combines the majesty of nature with a massive manmade structure. Next, you’ll head to the observation park on the top of Mt. Kiro, located at the southern tip of Ohshima and ranked No. 2 in the 2017 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for Japan observatories. The view of the Kurushima Straits seen from the top is also listed among Best 88 Sights in Shikoku. The view from the observation park is said to be the best on the Shimanami Kaido, and on a clear day you can see Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in Western Japan. The beauty of blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea stretching out into the distance, dotted with charming islands, is a must-see.

Travel around the islands of the Shimanami Kaido enjoying fishing and scenic views. Take advantage of the fantastic fishing and rare species that live amidst the uncommon geography and dramatic tidal currents of the Kurushima Straits. (Tours only available in Japanese and English)

The highlight of the Shimanami Kaido, which was selected as one of the seven best bike routes in the world, is the Kurushima Straits--which itself is one of the three fastest-moving tidal zones in Japan. The highway is the only one in Japan that can be traveled by car, bicycle, or on foot. This tour allows you to experience the Shimanami Kaido from the land, sea, and air. This package lets you experience everything the Shimanami Kaido offers. Take in the panoramic vistas as you cycle over the bridge, and be amazed at the harsh, yet beautiful scenes by boat as you experience the area’s fierce tides. You can even fish for the hardy species that call these torrential currents home--and enjoy them right there at a seafood barbeque. It doesn’t get fresher than this!

This cycling tour around the Shimanami Kaido and Yumeshima Kaido makes use of a charter boat. The Yumeshima Kaido is a route that traverses three islands: Kamijima’s Yugeshima, Sajima, and Ikina. The islands are connected by bridges, but cannot be accessed except by boat. It’s rapidly gaining popularity as a kind of “mini Shimanami” adventure. This island-hopping and cycling tour starts and ends at Imabari Port and cycles the islands by boat and by bridge from the Yumeshima Kaido (Kamijima’s Yugeshima, Sajima, and Ikina islands) to the Shimanami Kaido. Your bicycles are loaded on boat and a guide who knows everything about the islands will accompany you. Charter a boat and free yourself from the usual ferry schedules and routes. The day is yours to customize however you like! There’s no better way to experience the magic of the Seto Inland Sea by boat and by bicycle at once.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Shimanami Kaido. Ever camped by bicycle? This is your chance to take on the challenge! We put together everything you need for the adventure, picking out the right camping equipment and setting you up with a sports bicycle equipped with bags and racks. Then, one of our local experts on bicycle camping will put together a customized schedule for one or two nights. We’ll give you our original map too, showing you where to buy the food and supplies you might need as well as the usual campground information and more.

This tour kicks off at the Imabari Station Cycling Terminal and covers about 15 kilometers, making it perfect for beginning and intermediate cyclers. Take your time wandering around central Imabari, which was once the town at the foot of Imabari Castle, and then head towards Shimanami for Hashihama. Hashihama is one of Japan’s top shipbuilding towns, and it’s amazing to see the huge ships greet you from the port. From the shipbuilding town, you’ll hop on a ferry with your bicycle and head to “horse island,” Umashima. Umashima is located about halfway along the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge. It’s a tiny island with a population of just over ten people and closed to vehicle traffic except for the local residents--being able to experience it is a rare opportunity. After cruising around the island looking up at the top of the massive bridge, it’s time for the main event: the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge itself. As you cycle over the four kilometers of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, you’ll see the islands dotting the Seto Inland Sea below. The massive scale of nature combined with the massive bridge leaves an impact that you’ve got to experience to believe. The tour ends with lunch at a scenic restaurant overlooking the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge.

The gods are said to dwell in Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in Western Japan. An underground spring known as Uchinuki flows from Mt. Ishizuchi and bubbles up in the city of Saijo at the base of the mountain. The spring is counted among the hundred best water sources in Japan. It’s an area that has been blessed with natural beauty since ancient times, both protected and sustained by the mountains. This tour around Saijo gives you the best of the sea, the rivers, and the mountains. You’ll encounter the Uchinuki spring, which bubbles up at some 3,000 locations throughout the city, as well as clear rivers, expansive rural vistas, and more. Your bicycle-savvy local guide will show you the best places to go by bicycle. You’ll visit temples and shrines rich with culture and history, plus a popular café that serves sweets made using water from the Uchinuki spring. We’ve also got e-bikes available for those who want to tackle even steep climbs with ease, so you can participate in the tour stress-free!

How would you like to feel like you’re on a relaxed cruise, yet still enjoy some fishing and get a professional chef at a beloved local island restaurant prepare your catch for you? If you love delicious food, this tour is for you. Discover firsthand why Setouchi fish are considered so delicious. A local fisherman will take you into the islands and give you a taste of everyday life there. Through food, you’ll learn the reason behind the area’s amazing flavors. If you’re looking for a unique adventure and different views than you get from the usual land-based tours of the Shimanami Kaido, this package is for you. (Tours only available in Japanese and English)