Explore Ikuchijima and Innoshima: Best Cycling Attractions Along Hiroshima’s Shimanami Kaido
- dev
- May 9, 2024
- 6 min read
Summary
This time, we took a cycling trip on the Shimanami Kaido, a 60-km-long automobile-only road connecting Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.I was having so much fun from the beginning that I ended up rushing through the second half…but cycling is still fun!Because of the steep slope, beginners should not go to the Suigun Castle, but rather take their time to go around!Please refer to this page.
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Travel Itinerary
10:00am Mihara Port（三原港）
This time we departed from Mihara Port.With many boats arriving and departing for neighboring islands, it is no exaggeration to say that this port is always a candidate when crossing to islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
Entrance
Ticket machine
I bought a round-trip ticket by mistake…Don’t forget to bring a ticket for your bicycle since it will be going with you!
place for boarding vehicles
This time, we are heading to Innoshima, so this is where we will start!
Here comes the boat.
Mihara Port, the gateway to the sea, is located in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is ideal for daily use as a means of transportation to other islands, as well as for touring the islands of Sakijima and Ikuchijima in Hiroshima Prefecture, Okunojima, famous for its rabbits, and Ikunajima in Ehime Prefecture.
11:00am Habu Port Passenger Terminal（土生港旅客ターミナル）
Arrival at Habu Port! We arrived after a long night’s sleep.
terminal
Habu Port Passenger Terminal is a port and boat terminal located in Habu Town, Innoshima, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. As a gateway to the sea, it is the largest passenger terminal on Innoshima Island, and also serves as the starting point for express buses and town buses.
Shiki Shokusai Hanafusa（四季食彩 花房）
You can’t fight a war if you are hungry! So, first, we had to eat.Tempura was also recommended, and I was torn between the two, but I decided to go with the kaisendon! Sashimi, warm miso soup, and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) with an amazing flavor of soup stock to complete the recharge ✨
Located at the Habu Port Terminal
Entrance
Menu
Tempura is also delicious! I was so confused because I heard that…
After-dinner coffee
Happy with Lemands
Interior
Inside the restaurant with a view of the ocean.
Shiki Shokusai Hanafusa is a restaurant located in Tsuchio-cho, Innoshima, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. At the restaurant, you can taste fresh local fish. Located on the first floor of the Habu Port parking lot, the restaurant overlooks the ocean.
12:15pm Oyama Shrine（大山神社）
Oyama Shrine is also famous as a bicycle shrine and is visited by many cyclists.Of course, you do not have to be a cyclist to visit the shrine.
You can get a red seal in this building.
God is full of
Entrance
There is also a hill that can be biked up.
Oyama Shrine, located in Habu Town, Innoshima, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is the oldest shrine on Innoshima Island. It is also famous as the god of bicycles (Bicycle Shrine) and the god of the ear (Mimigo Shrine), and attracts more than 30,000 visitors a year from all over Japan.
Murakami Kaizoku watch deck（釣島箱崎浦見張台）
The observatory is located on the grounds of Oyama Shrine. The view is spectacular.
superb view
The view of the Seto Inland Sea, the islands and the sky is spectacular!
Murakami Kaizoku watch deck, located in Habu-cho, Innoshima, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a replica of a watchtower from the days when the Murakami pirates were active on the grounds of Daisen Shrine. Located on the grounds of Daisen Shrine, it offers a magnificent view from there.
Oyama Inari Shrine（大山稲荷神社）
This is also the Oyama Inari Shrine on the grounds of Oyama Shrine. The scenery of the rows of torii gates is breathtaking. The best point is that you can go around by bicycle!
Oyama Inari Shrine is located in Ichienouchi Ward, Habu-cho, Innoshima, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is commonly called “Oyama Inari,” the god of prosperity and good fortune. Visitors can pass through the Senbon-torii (1,000 torii) with bicycles.
Mimigo shrine（耳明神社）
It is called “Mimigo-jinja” and is dedicated to the god of the ear.
visit to a shrine or temple
The miko (shrine maiden) taught us how to worship.
Mimigo Shrine, located in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is nationally known as the “God of the Ear” shrine. This shrine is dedicated to the god of the ear and is called “Mimigo-jinja”. The surrounding area is surrounded by beautiful nature and a quiet atmosphere.
2:00pm Innoshima Suigun Castle（因島水軍城）
After climbing up the hill, we arrived at the Suigun Castle.
Entrance
Bicycle parking is also available.
guide plate
There is a guide plate to help you.
Stairs in front of Honmaru (Museum)
After going up the hill so many times, I had to go back down the stairs…
Entrance to the Honmaru
Honmaru
There is an exhibit about the Murakami Suigun. I was amazed at the realism of the model.
Ninomaru
Exterior
Ninomaru
We are in a strategy meeting, so be quiet!
Sumiyagura (A guard stationed at the corner of a castle)
Exterior
Sumiyagura (A guard stationed at the corner of a castle)
In the Sumiyagura, there is an exhibition about the Suigun Festival. I’d love to come to the festival sometime.
Innoshima Suigun Castle, located in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a museum exhibiting historical materials. Inside the facility, visitors can learn about the Murakami Suigun, a naval force active in the Middle Ages, through the display of their materials and armaments.
3:30pm Ikuchi Bridge（生口橋）
Cross the Ikuchi Bridge to get to the next Ikuchijima Island!
Bicycle paths are maintained.
It is a slope again. It’s tough, but the view on the bridge is spectacular!
There is a place where you can see the bridge, so once there, you can take a picture.
You can also see Ikuchijima Island, and I’m sure it will be worth the hike up the hill!
Ikuchi Bridge seen from Ikuchijima Island
Located in Sunoe-cho, Innoshima, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Ikuchi Bridge is a 760-meter-long road bridge connecting Innoshima and Ikuchijima Island. There is no toll charge.
3:50pm Island-wide Art Museum “Crust”（島ごと美術館『地殻』）
Ikuchishima Island is an “island-wide museum,” with objects scattered throughout the island. I was a little excited because it was the same color as my bicycle!
One of the three-dimensional artworks is called “Crust”. The entire island of Ikuchijima is considered a museum, with 17 objects scattered throughout the island. Visitors can enjoy the artworks throughout the island.
4:00pm Dolce Setoda Main Store（ドルチェ 瀬戸田本店）
We stopped by the famous Dolce for a quick break.Gelato can be enjoyed inside the restaurant or on the terrace.
The signage makes it easy to find!
Interior
Counter seating is also available, making it easy to come in alone.
Terrace Seat
It was cold, but it was a good opportunity to sit on the terrace.I had the pistachio and cafe latte. Excellent as always!
Dolce Setoda Main Store, located in Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a gelato specialty store that focuses on handmade products for local consumption. You can enjoy gelato inside the store or on the terrace, and you can even eat it while gazing at the spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea.
Okatetsu Shoten（岡哲商店）
This is another place you must visit when you come to Ikuchijima Island.The freshly fried croquettes are a great way to fill up!The boat I wanted to take this time could not because it stopped here…but that’s okay because it was delicious.
Exterior
Close to Setoda Port.
Exterior
It is so famous that it has been featured on various programs.
Okatetsu Shoten is a croquette shop located in Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Word of mouth has it that their freshly fried croquettes are crispy and delicious, and their meat croquettes and menchikatsu are also popular.
Shimanami Roman（しまなみロマン）
I missed the boat and had an hour until the next flight. I was hungry and cold…so I had udon! It is warm and sinks into a cold body.
Exterior
It was a relief to know that the stores were open, as they all close early on Ikuchijima Island!
Lots of menus
Souvenirs are also sold in the store.
Shimanami Roman is a restaurant, souvenir shop, and rest area located in Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It also offers rental bicycles from its base at Setoda Port.
5:40pm Setoda Port（瀬戸田港）
Return from Setoda Port to Mihara Port.The ship departed and I instantly fell asleep.
timetable
Roughly one flight per hour?
waiting area
There are plenty of chairs to sit and wait.
I’m going on a boat.
This time to this ship!
The bike is strapped down and I’m on board.
Setoda Port is a boat terminal located in Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is a tourist information center and bicycle rental place, making it a good base for sightseeing. Bicycles can also be carried on board, so you can take them back to the place where you rented them.
Mihara Port
I came back. I bought a round-trip ticket by mistake even though the port was different from the one I was going to, and there were various troubles…We had a lot of fun cycling, and we hope you will find it useful!