The "Kurushima Kaikyo Sightseeing Boat & Tower-Top Experience (Kurukuru Climb)" tour is set to run again in 2026. Offered along the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido, the tour packages a sightseeing cruise through the rapid tidal currents of the Kurushima Kaikyo — one of Japan's Three Major Tidal Currents — with a guided visit to the tower top of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, roughly 180m above sea level.
In 2025, the tour attracted more than 800 participants, recording a 178% increase over the previous year, and has also been featured on television programs.
The tour's nickname "Kurukuru Climb" was introduced in 2025. The name playfully evokes circling ("kurukuru") around the Kuru (来) shima Kaikyo by boat, then climbing ("climb") up to the bridge tower.
Tour Dates
April 25 (Sat), 26 (Sun), May 16 (Sat), 17 (Sun), 23 (Sat), 24 (Sun), 31 (Sun), June 6 (Sat), 7 (Sun), 13 (Sat), 14 (Sun), 21 (Sun), 28 (Sun)
Two sessions are held each day:
| Check-in (Reception) | Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Session | By 9:00 AM | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Afternoon Session | By 12:30 PM | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
Please arrive at the waiting room at Shitadami Port (下田水港) by the check-in time. Introductions, a tour briefing, safety video viewing, and helmet fitting will take place before departure.
Ending times may vary depending on the number of participants.
Tour Course
Meeting & Dismissal Point
Shitadami Port (下田水港) Waiting Room
5292 Gama, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
(3-minute walk from Michi no Eki Yoshiumi Ikiiki-kan)
Access
- From Hiroshima direction: E76 Nishiseto Expressway, approx. 20 minutes by car from Oshima-Kita IC
- From Ehime direction: E76 Nishiseto Expressway, approx. 5 minutes by car from Oshima-Minami IC
Route & Duration
Shitadami Port (Meeting) → Tour briefing → ① Shimanami Kurushima Kaikyo Sightseeing Boat (transit) → Majima Port → ② Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge Main Tower (8P) → Majima Port → ① Shimanami Kurushima Kaikyo Sightseeing Boat (transit) → Shitadami Port (Dismissal)
Approximate duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Tour Highlights
① Shimanami Kurushima Kaikyo Sightseeing Boat
Aboard the sightseeing boat, visitors experience the powerful rush of the Kurushima Kaikyo up close — a strait renowned as one of Japan's Three Major Tidal Currents. The cruise also offers stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea's island scenery and a rare vantage point looking directly up at the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge from below. In addition, the shipyard district of Imabari — known as Japan's leading maritime city — can be observed from the water.
Note: The route may change depending on tidal conditions.
② Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge Tower-Top Experience
Participants are guided to the top of the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge — a suspension bridge on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido — at approximately 180m above sea level, an area normally off-limits to the public. The panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea's island scenery from this exclusive vantage point are a highlight of the experience.
Participation Fee
8,250 yen (tax included) per person
Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.
Payment is made in advance via online payment or bank transfer after booking.
Application
Applications for April through June sessions opened on March 6 (Fri) at 9:00 AM via the Shimanami Co., Ltd. website.
Autumn sessions will be announced at a later date.
Please review the Participation Terms and Conditions before booking.
Participation Requirements
- Age 12 and above (ages 12–15 must be accompanied by an adult)
- Able to walk 2 km or more and use stairs without assistance
- No fear of heights or confined spaces
- Participants with poor health, heart conditions, or other serious medical conditions, those who have consumed alcohol, or those who are pregnant are not permitted to join
Age verification may be required.
Capacity
30 participants per session (minimum 8 required)
If the minimum number of participants is not reached 14 days before the tour date, the session will be cancelled.
Cancellation Policy
| Cancellation Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
| From 14 days before the tour date through the day of the tour, or no-show | 100% of participation fee |
This cancellation policy applies to individuals who book directly.
Notes
The tour may be cancelled in the event of heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, or other circumstances that make it unsafe to proceed. Please plan accordingly.
