Beginners - Just For Fun -
Intermediate - Fun&Fitness -
Advanced - Challenging -
The Shimanami Kaido is the first route in Japan where cyclists can cross a strait by bike. It is a world-class cycling road overlooking the island-dotted Seto Inland Sea, and the feeling of riding above the water is exceptional. Come experience it for yourself.
An easy 20 km loop around Hakata Island. With few climbs and gentle roads, you can enjoy sea views along with island specialties such as salt ramen and salt soft-serve. Historic Murakami pirate sites on Oshima add even more to see.
A roughly 40 km route around Omishima, the largest island on the Shimanami Kaido. Highlights keep appearing throughout the day, including Oyamazumi Shrine with national treasures, hot springs, citrus groves, and cafes. Enjoy cycling while experiencing history and nature.
Linking Imabari and Onomichi, the Shimanami Kaido is one of Japan’s leading cycling roads, crossing six islands and seven bridges. This sea route offers superb views of the Seto Inland Sea and attracts cyclists with its exhilarating ride. Take on a rewarding strait-crossing challenge.
Located east of the Shimanami Kaido, the 63 km Yumeshima Kaido links four remote islands by bridges as an island-hopping course. Cross by ferry and take your time enjoying relaxed island life and beautiful Seto Inland Sea scenery.
This 4-day, 3-night model route luxuriously links three popular cycling routes in Ehime. Starting from Dogo Onsen, the 150 km journey lets you fully enjoy Ehime highlights, including island views, local island food, and hot springs.
The Yumeshima Kaido takes you around islands with no traffic lights or tunnels, making it friendly for beginners. In spring, about 3,000 cherry trees bloom on Mt. Sekizen on Iwagi Island, creating a view known as a celestial robe. Enjoy relaxed island time on this spring-only cherry blossom ride.
This roughly 30 km loop circles Oshima, the first island reached from the Shikoku side. Comfortable rolling terrain and coastal scenery make the ride pleasant, and the island has plenty of spots such as cafes and a rose park. It is popular with beginners as a compact, rewarding day ride.
Omishima, the largest island on the Shimanami Kaido, is known as the island of the gods and is packed with cafes, museums, hot springs, and scenic spots. With flexible route options, the roughly 43 km island loop lets you fully enjoy history, nature, and local food.
Taiwanese cyclist Wei Huaxuan changed careers from news anchor and has ridden across Japan. She shares the appeal of the Shimanami Kaido, one of her unforgettable bicycle journeys, and the excellence of Japan’s cycling environment.
Ehime, a cycling paradise, has many cyclist-friendly places to stay. We introduce five selected inns registered as Cycle Oasis spots, convenient for breaks and information. Services such as bringing your bike inside and tool rental help you rest comfortably after the ride.
Roadside stations are popular for rest areas and local products, and those in Ehime offer many cyclist-friendly touches. We selected five especially recommended stops, including stations with scenic observatories and rental cycle bases, all worth visiting during a ride.
Known as a small Shimanami Kaido, the beginner-friendly Yumeshima Kaido is a compact course that visits four islands and can be ridden in half a day. Hop between islands with a local guide and fully enjoy a relaxed Seto Inland Sea island trip.
The editorial team of Taiwanese Japan culture magazine Sanma proposes a relaxed bicycle trip around Ehime. Visit cafes and lifestyle shops in Matsuyama by bike, and discover soothing spots on Omishima in the Seto Inland Sea. Enjoy Ehime’s charm through leisurely cycling.
Michael Rice, an American professional rider living in Japan, emphasizes that Ehime’s appeal goes far beyond the Shimanami Kaido. He introduces advanced routes with scenic views from mountains to sea and shares advice for cyclists visiting from overseas.
Kazunari Utsunomiya, who has guided the Shimanami Kaido for more than 10 years, shares tips for completing the full crossing. His professional advice covers pacing, scenic rest spots, and how to finish the route comfortably.
Arashi Murakami, representative of WAKKA, a cycling base on Omishima, supports first-time Shimanami Kaido riders. He introduces rare scenic spots you can reach with an E-BIKE and shares tips for riding comfortably.
We asked Ehime expert and professional MTB rider Motoshi Kadota and rising rider Yasuaki Nishiyama about the prefecture’s most pleasant roads, rewarding climbs, and exciting off-road routes. Scenic routes endorsed by both veteran and young riders are well worth seeing.
The Seto Inland Sea is dotted with islands large and small, creating a poetic island landscape. More than 130 named islands in the Seto Inland Sea belong to Ehime Prefecture. This feature introduces island highlights centered on beautiful Setouchi scenery.
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