Dogo Onsen Honkan

The Dogo Onsen Honkan is the symbol of Dogo Onsen, which is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan. The main building, a national important cultural property that has been undergoing conservation and repair work for quite some time, reopened for business in July 2024. With the addition of two new private rooms, there are now many ways to enjoy the main building.

Matsuyama Castle

Construction of Matsuyama Castle began in 1602 by Kato Yoshiaki, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and known as one of the “Seven Spears of Shizugatake,” in Mt. Katsuyama (132 m above sea level), located in the center of Matsuyama, and took about a quarter of a century to complete. It is one of the 12 remaining original castle towers in Japan.

Michi-no-Eki Kazahaya-no-sato Fuwari

This roadside station has a bathing beach directly in front of it. The Hojo sea bream rice set meal, popular among Matsuyama cyclists, is very satisfying in both quality and quantity.

Mountain Pass Store “Nisshi”

This store is marked by a unique illustrated signboard. The ice cream, served at the top of the mountain pass, is exquisite. It is a popular mountain pass rest spot for local cyclists.

Michi-no-Eki Yoshiumi Iki-Iki Kan

After crossing the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, you will arrive at Oshima. After descending the bridge, you will head to the roadside station (Michi-no-Eki) Yoshiumi Iki-Iki Kan. It is a popular roadside station where visitors can enjoy a grilled seafood barbecue while looking up at the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge you just crossed.

Kirosan Observatory Park

From the main route of the Blue Line, turn right at the Kirosan intersection following the sign for Kirosan Observatory Park. Along the way, the road narrows and begins a steep ascent. The elevation is 301.1 meters, making it a somewhat strenuous climb for beginners. The distance from the Kirosan intersection is about 2.7 km, so even if you climb up slowly, it will take about 30 minutes to reach the scenic view. The view below is said to be the best on the Shimanami Kaido. The Kurushima Straits seen from the top of Kirosan was chosen as one of the Shikoku 88 view spots.

Imabari City Murakami Kaizoku Museum

Noshima Murakami was described as “the greatest pirate in Japan” by the missionary Luís Fróis. The exhibition introduces the various maritime activities of pirates, which are different from those of Western pirates, through material exhibits and other means.

Noshima Castle Ruins

As you walk along the seashore in front of the Imabari City Murakami Kaizoku Museum toward Hakata-Oshima Bridge, you will see Noshima castle ruins ahead on the right side. Although it is a small island, the surrounding sea is visually evident with fast currents. It is the home of the Noshima Murakami clan, and the entire island is used as a castle.

Hakata-Oshima Bridge

This is the collective name for the 325-meter Hakata Bridge, which spans between Hakatajima and Michikajima, and the 840-meter Oshima Bridge, which spans between Michikajima and Oshima. It has an unusual shape with two bridges of different structures: a girder bridge and a suspension bridge. It is about 20 km around Hakata Island.

Sanwa Hakatajima Honten

A popular ramen restaurant among cyclists. The thin noodles blend well with the soup, and the broth is made by boiling 17 ingredients such as pork bones, chicken bones, dried sardines, and kelp in a flat pot and using Hakata salt to bring out the umami and sweetness of the soup. Although it looks quite simple, it has a rich flavor.

Michi-no-Eki Tatara Shimanami Park

A sanctuary for cyclists that also attracts cycling tourists from abroad. It is customary to take a commemorative photo at the monument. There are restaurants, a food court, and a food stall market selling fresh local vegetables and citrus fruits.

Shimanami Kaido “WAKKA”

Opened in March 2020, this integrated tourism facility includes a hotel, cafe, and cottages. As a stopover spot for cyclists on the Shimanami Kaido, visitors can enjoy a drink or a meal at the cafe, and there are also showers, changing rooms, and laundry facilities. As you proceed to the back of the premises, you will see the Tatara Bridge and ocean view in front of you.

Fishing boat experience

The boat departs from the pier in front of the WAKKA Cafe. Professional staff will teach you how to hold a fishing rod and handle lures, so even beginners can come empty-handed and have a great time. Enjoy the pleasant sea breeze as you cast your fishing line from the top of a boat floating on the sea.

Anjinsan trekking

Anjinsan is located in the center of Omishima and is the sacred mountain of the Oyamazumi Shrine. After driving to the mountainside and walking for 40 minutes along a ridge path with grass and trees growing on the rough rocky surface, you will arrive at the top of Eboshi Iwa, where a 360-degree panoramic view of Omishima awaits you! You can enjoy a different view from the one you see while riding a bicycle.

Iwaki Folk Museum (former Shima Honjin)

The Iwaki Folk Museum (former Shima Honjin) is located just around the corner from Kamei Ryokan. The museum is housed in a partially restored house of the Miura family, which was used by the Iyo Matsuyama clan in the Edo period as the headquarters on the island during the daimyo's alternating Edo residence. It is a dignified Japanese-style building with a courtyard and elaborate design features throughout.

Iwagi Shipyard

As you cycle along the coast from Okogi Port on the north side of the island, a huge tanker suddenly appears. It looks like a tanker being built by connecting parts of the tanker brought from the dock of the Iwaki Shipyard. Because the Seto Inland Sea has almost no waves, it is a spectacle that can be seen up close and personal.

Kamei Ryokan

The ryokan (Japanese-style inn) is popular for its retro Showa-era style and hearty meals, and visitors are delighted by the variety of dishes served for dinner, including sashimi, sea bream rice, grilled sea bream, tempura, and lemon pork hot pot. (*Dinner menu varies depending on the season)

Takahama Hachiman Shrine

On Takahama Beach adjacent to Takahama Hachiman Shrine in the northwestern part of the seventh island, Yugejima, is Kyounokojima, a remote islet that is connected to land only at low tide during high tide, and is known as a power spot. As you walk along the sandy beach, the tide rises, making it a perfect islet.

Otani Pass (northeastern part of Yugejima)

In contrast to the flat western side of the island, the eastern side is at a higher elevation, so a steep climb uphill continues, but a reward with a spectacular view awaits you at the end of the climb at Otani Pass. When the visibility is good, the other islands of Kamijima-cho, Yugetoyoshima, Takaikamijima, and Uojima float in the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku can be seen in the distance.

Ramen-do

This restaurant is named “Ramen-do” even though it is an okonomiyaki restaurant. It is said to be a remnant of a ramen restaurant that used to be in business here. The menu is quite simple: choose either pork band egg, pork only, or egg only, and udon or soba noodles, and select from standard, medium, and large portions. The large pork and egg udon okonomiyaki is quite hearty.

Sound Hakanda Campground

From here to Tateishi Port is only 1.7 km. Enjoy löyly by pouring aroma-infused water over sauna stones placed in a bucket on the stove. Once you’ve worked up a good sweat in the Finnish-style tent sauna, jump into the ocean from the beach in front of you! Cool down in the natural cold water bath. Then, take an outdoor air bath on the deck bed on the beach and take a shower before finally heading back to Tateishi Port.