There are two main bike rental options along the Shimanami Kaido:
Regular System
The regular system features around ten rental stations along the route and is the more affordable option. You can rent a bike at one station and return it at another. If you prefer, you can also stop partway and take a bus for the rest of the journey. Regular bikes cost 3,000 yen per day, electric-assist and tandem bikes cost 4,000 yen, and e-bikes are 8,000 yen. While most bikes can be returned to different stations, tandem bikes must be returned to the original rental location. Reservations are not required, but online booking is available if preferred.
Giant Rental System
The Giant rental system is more expensive and operates only from two terminals—Imabari Station and Onomichi Station. It offers high-quality bicycles, with prices ranging from 4,000 to 17,000 yen per day. To return a bike to the opposite terminal, you must reserve a road bike in advance (reserve here), and an additional fee of 3,300 yen applies.
Shimanami Kaido
Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道, Shimanami Kaidō) is a stunning 60-kilometer toll road that links Honshu to Shikoku, crossing six beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Opened in 1999, this route is unique as it’s the only one that can be traversed by foot or bicycle, making it a popular choice for cycling enthusiasts. The road connects Onomichi on Honshu with Imabari City on Shikoku, passing through scenic islands like Mukaishima, Innoshima, and Ikuchijima. Along the way, travelers can enjoy peaceful landscapes, visit small towns, and explore cultural sites such as Kosanji Temple on Ikuchijima.
Cycling the Shimanami Kaido is a must-do experience. The well-maintained bike path branches off from the expressway on the islands, offering a smooth ride with gentle inclines. With bike rental stations available along the route, cyclists can easily rent a bike at one end and return it at the other. The journey is manageable for intermediate cyclists and typically takes about a day to complete. A temporary toll-free period for cyclists is currently in effect, making the route even more attractive to visitors.
Bike rental
Getting there
- Cycling Terminals
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In Onomichi
There are two bike rental terminals about 150 meters from Onomichi Station. One is located in a parking lot near the Green Hill Hotel, west of the station and close to the waterfront. The other is at the Giant Onomichi store, which is inside Onomichi U2—a renovated warehouse hotel located right next to the parking lot. Ferries connect central Onomichi to Mukaishima, where the bike trail begins.
In Imabari
There are two main bike rental terminals in Imabari. The first is located inside Imabari Station, with the regular rental system just a short walk from the station’s west exit. The second terminal is at the Giant Imabari store, also located inside the station. There is an additional terminal at Sunrise Itoyama, which also offers accommodations, though it’s a bit more difficult to access. You can take a taxi from Imabari Station for approximately 2,500 yen or walk about 30 minutes from Hashihama Station. A shuttle bus is also available with an advance reservation.
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