Bike Rental in Shimanami Kaido

Cycling & bike rental in Shimanami Kaido

The Shimanami Kaido is Japan's most famous cycling route — about 70 km of largely dedicated bike path linking Onomichi on Honshu to Imabari on Shikoku across six islands and a chain of dramatic bridges over the Seto Inland Sea. It is signposted with a blue line the whole way and rideable by almost anyone over one to two days.

The route's biggest draw for visitors is its rental system: a public network of cycle terminals lets you pick up in Onomichi and drop off in Imabari (or the reverse), so you never have to backtrack, and Giant stores at both ends rent quality road bikes. Simple mamachari city bikes, cross bikes and e-bikes are all available; spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.