An island where you can encounter sakura cherry blossoms, a scenic archipelago, and kind people

It is 50 minutes by bus from Onomichi to Habu Port on Innoshima Island. From there, it is 10 minutes by the New Uoshima high-speed boat. (It takes a little over one hour by rapid boat from Imabari Port.) Upon getting off the ferry, you will be met with the Red Bridge at Yuge Port, which is one of the gateways to the Yumeshima Kaido. Your cycling will get off to a smooth start if you reserve a rental bicycle at Setouchi Koryukan, which is right in front of the port. Yugejima Island has a lot of hills, so we recommend an e-bike.

Kujiraike Park

Enjoying relatively unknown spots with cherry blossoms while cycling

Start by picking your first cherry blossom spot. The island’s cycling route is designed for clockwise travel. If you go clockwise, you can feel the ocean nearby the entire way. At Kujiraike Park, which is reached via a flat road, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom that resemble a painting. It can be an overwhelming experience, with the blossoms growing so thickly that they will hit your bicycle helmet as you ride by.

Book Cafe Okappa

From Kujiraike Park, take the loop road and head south. The road is quite hilly, but an e-bike will allow you to enjoy a scenic view that includes sakura cherry trees in full bloom, flowers blooming in private yards, and the calm Seto Inland Sea. When you cross over to Sashima Island, we recommend you take a short break at Book Cafe Okappa. You can have a relaxing time chatting with the couple that own the place.

Japan’s unique U-Turn Blue Line

If you follow the blue line drawn as a cycling route guide to the southern tip of Sashima Island (Nagaiso-no-hama), you will see where the blue line makes a U-turn and goes back the other way.
The U-Turn Blue Line is so rare in Japan there is no other place like it. It’s essential to take a commemorative photo here. After enjoying the U-Turn Blue Line, return to Yugejima before dark and stay at Guest House Michishio, which is the cyclists’ base for the day.

Impressed by the three thousand sakura cherry trees at long-awaited Sekizenzan

On the morning of the second day, cross three bridges in rapid succession to cross over from Yugejima to Iwagijima in order to visit Blue Lemon Farm. When you enter the greenhouse for picking strawberries, you will be met with a sweet aroma like that of cotton candy. After eating as many strawberries as you want, bring three of your choosing to the on-site cafe to have a smoothie made. A smoothie made with strawberries you’ve picked yourself is a special kind of deliciousness!

Sekizenzan (Iwagijima Island)

On to long-awaited Sekizenzan after a quick meal. Mount Sekizenzan (369.8 meters in height) is the most iconic feature of Iwagijima and has been dubbed “the Fuji of Iwagi.” Over 3,000 cherry blossom trees bloom in the spring. They are referred to as the “raiment of the heavenly nymphs.”
It is a 3.9 kilometer walk to the summit. Along the way, you can take in the sakura cherry trees lining the road and the azaleas at the edge of the road.
The observation deck at the summit affords a 360-degree panoramic view that includes the scenic Seto Inland Sea — dubbed the “beautiful archipelago” — along with sakura cherry trees, a spectacular combo.

A harmonious mixture of sakura cherry blossoms and azaleas during the ascent to Sekizenzan

Cherry blossom season, the ideal time for cycling

Riding through the swirling cherry blossom petals as they land on your face, it’s a good time to stop and take photos.

Our Whales, a mural painted on the seawall at Ikinajima Island

On the way to Sound Hakanda Campground on Ikinajima Island, check out the mural on the seawall called Our Whales makes for a great photo opportunity. As you gaze at the tranquil sea lit up by the setting sun, you will find yourself not wanting to leave.

Travel by bicycle along the Yumeshima Kaido, where you can enjoy delicious foods and meet all kinds of people. There are so many attractions that will make you want to keep coming back. There are so many different things to enjoy during seasons other than cherry blossom season, so why not come back a few more times?