Setouchi Shimanami Kaido

The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido is a sea road made up of beautiful islands and bridges that connect them. The 60km long road connecting Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture allows you to fully enjoy the scenery of the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea. The “Cycling Road” is famous as the first bicycle path in Japan where you can cross the strait.
Mukojima is connected to Onomichi by the Shin-Onomichi Bridge, Onomichi Ohashi Bridge, and three ferries. The ferry that goes to and from Onomichi Suido is nostalgic and full of travel atmosphere. The view from the summit of “National Park Takamiyama” on the south side of the island opens in all directions, and it is a superb spot where you can see the beauty of the archipelago floating in the Seto Inland Sea. Also, the island is dotted with filming locations for movies set in Onomichi.
The island where the base of the Innoshima Murakami clan, who was active in the Seto Inland Sea from the Muromachi to the Sengoku period, was located. There is a castle type naval museum “Innoshima Suigun Castle,” which is rare even in Japan. There is a 360-degree panoramic view from the top of Mt. Shirataki, which is one of the leading viewpoints in the Seto Inland Sea. Many cyclists visit “Oyama Shrine,” which is commonly known as a bicycle shrine, where bicycle prayers are held. There are also many other attractive sightseeing spots, such as the Go Memorial Hall, which restored the birthplace of the genius game player “Honinbo Shusaku” from Innoshima, who was active in the Edo period.
It is one of the leading citrus producers in the whole country. In particular, lemons have been cultivated since the Meiji period, and in recent years, “eco-lemons” that can be eaten up to the skin have been produced by reducing the amount of pesticides used. Based on the idea of “turning the whole island into a museum,” many outdoor sculptures are scattered throughout the island. You can see a wonderful sunset view from Setoda Sunset Beach. You can also enjoy local gourmet foods such as roast chicken and croquettes at the Shiomachi shopping street.
Omishima was called “the island of God” because there is “Oyamazumi Shrine,” which is called the total guardian of Japan, and has more than 10,000 branch shrines nationwide. In the center of the precincts, there is a sacred tree of about 2600 years old, enshrined in the center of the precinct, and it has a solemn atmosphere. Boasting an open-air bath where you can enjoy the sunset, “Mare Grassia Omishima” is popular as an accommodation on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido. At the roadside station “Tatara Shimanami Park” and “Shimanami no Eki Mishima”, you can buy locally harvested fresh vegetables, citrus fruits, and special products.
Hakatajima is famous as a “salt island” because the salt industry has flourished since ancient times. It is the birthplace of “Hakata no Shio,” which is also known nationwide. Hakata Furusato Historical Park exhibits industrial and cultural materials on Hakatajima, including salt pans and maritime shipping. The roadside station “Hakata S.C Park” at the foot of Hakata Oshima Bridge is full of facilities such as parks, gymnasiums, and tennis courts. It is used as a base for sightseeing, such as enjoying sports and buying souvenirs. At Kaisan Park in spring, about 1,000 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom in full bloom, and you can see the superb view of Setouchi islands and cherry blossoms.
The island associated with Murakami pirates, where Noshima Murakami’s base was located. The Murakami Pirate Museum, where you can experience the charm of Murakami Pirates, is one of the best places to stop by, and from the observation room you can see the ruins of Noshima Castle, which was the stage of the novel “Murakami Pirate’s Daughter”. There is a violent current around the island, and the tidal current experience cruising here is a recommended program! You can fully enjoy the wonders of nature that Murakami pirates have experienced. From the panoramic observation deck bridge of “Kiro Mountain Observation Park”, which is known as a scenic spot located at the southern tip of the island, you can see the tides of the world’s first triple suspension bridge “Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge” and the “Kurushima Strait”, one of Japan’s top three rapid tides.
Kamijima Town is located a little east of the Shimanami Kaido and consists of 25 islands, including six inhabited islands. On Iwakijima, the local gourmet “lemon pork bowl,” which uses “lemon pork” raised on the island, has a reputation for being delicious. On Yugeshima, pay attention to the “Inland Sea Resort Fespa” where you can fully enjoy Setouchi resorts and the seawater bathing facility “Shioyu”. On Ikina Island, there is a heated swimming pool, a gymnasium, a baseball field, and “Ikina Sporek Park” with accommodation facilities, and you can enjoy the abundant nature of Uoshima, including fishing, plant exploration, and bird watching.
Onomichi, the starting point of the Honshu side of the “Setouchi Shimanami Kaido”, is a scenic and emotional town. The 365m ropeway takes you to Senkoji Park, which is known as a town of slopes and shrines, and is a representative tourist destination. A viewing spot where you can enjoy the sea of Setouchi and the townscape of Onomichi at the same time. “Onomichi Literature Museum” exhibits valuable materials from writers related to Onomichi, including Hayashi Fumiko. It is the setting for many movies, and there are many highlights such as the “Onomichi Film Museum” where you can watch movie materials related to it. In addition to “Onomichi ramen,” you can also enjoy local gourmet dishes such as “Onomichi-yaki,” a famous TV drama, and fish dishes made with fish from Setouchi.
Imabari, the starting point of the Shikoku side, is famous nationwide as a towel production area. Towel Art Museum, which has a towel theme, spreads the world of towels and art. “Imabari Castle” is a famous castle built by Mr. Takatora Todo, who was said to be a master of building castles in the Edo period, and is said to have become an example of a Japanese castle after that. Seawater is drawn into the vast moat, and you can see a rare sight of sea fish circulating around the moat. Please enjoy popular local gourmet dishes such as “Imabari yaki pork egg rice,” “Imabari yakitori,” and “Imabari ramen.”
[Parking area/service area information]
●At the food court on the Ohama Parking Area (Innoshima) Outbound Line, there is a counter seat where you can eat while watching the beautiful scenery of Fukari Seto (Mekari Seto).
● Setoda Parking Area (Ikuchijima) A great view point to see Tatara Ohashi. There is an abundance of food menus and souvenirs that use lemons, which are a specialty product.
●Kamiura Parking Area (Omishima) is only on the going down line, and a vending machine KOICHINAICHI is installed.
●Kurushima Strait Service Area (Imabari City) A service area where up and down lines are concentrated. It is located on the Shikoku side where you can see the Kurushima Strait under your eyes. There are two observatories, and you can enjoy a wonderful view.
(The posted photo provided by Honshu-Shikoku Expressway Co., Ltd.)
[Pay attention to the half interchange]
The interchanges of Innoshima, Ikuchijima, and Oshima are half-interchanges with restricted directions, so please be careful not to enter by mistake or pass by. We recommend that you check if you can enter in advance.
We will also let you know how to access each spot.
<Onomichi> “Senkojiyama Ropeway” A ropeway that connects the downtown area to the tourist spot “Senkoji Park” representing Onomichi in 3 minutes.
【Access】About 15 minutes on foot from “JR Onomichi Station”. About 5 minutes by bus, get off at “Nagaeguchi Bus Stop”.
<Mukaijima> “National Park Takamiyama” The name comes from the fact that there used to be a lookout for the Murakami Suigun, which ruled this area in the past.
【Access】15 minutes by car from “Mukaishima IC”. Take the bus “Setoda Line” from JR Onomichi Station and get off at “Takamiyama Trailhead” stop. Walk 3.2 km, about 40 minutes.
<Innoshima Island> “Innoshima Park” This is a park located in the south of Innoshima, spreading over the entire area of Mt. Tengu (207m).
【Access】From the Honshu area, it is about 15 minutes by car from “Innoshima Kita IC”. From the Shikoku area, it is about 15 minutes by car from “Innoshima Minami IC”.
<Ikuchijima> Setoda Sunset Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches among the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, with its 800-meter-long white sand beach and clear blue sea.
【Access】From Honshu, about 15 minutes by car from “Ikuchijima Kita IC”. From the Shikoku area, it is about 10 minutes by car from “Ikuchi Shimaminami IC”.
<Hakatajima> “Kaisan Park” is a great spot to photograph the scenery of cherry blossoms and Shimanami.
【Access】About 10 minutes by car from “Hakatajima IC” from Honshu and Shikoku directions.
<Oshima> “Mt. Kiro Observation Deck” The world’s first triple suspension bridge “Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge” and the “Kurushima Strait” tide, and on a clear day, you can see Mt. Ishizuchi in the Shikoku Mountains.
【Access】From the Honshu area, it is about 15 minutes by car from “Oshima Kita IC”. From the Shikoku area, it is about 10 minutes by car from “Oshima Minami IC”.
At tourist spots on the Shimanami Kaido, you can enjoy a variety of flowers throughout the four seasons.
We will introduce a luxurious cruise experience where you can enjoy the beautiful Seto Inland Sea sea and archipelago beauty while being blown by the sea breeze.
The Shimanami Kaido is famous as a sacred place for cyclists. In addition to an expressway dedicated to cars, there is a pedestrian and bicycle path on the bridge connecting the islands. There are many bicycle rental terminals along the road, so you can enjoy cycling comfortably.
“Pirates” have been active in the Seto Inland Sea, which has been an important traffic route since ancient times. When you hear the word “pirate”, you may have the image of a bad guy who loots, etc., but Murakami pirates have various activities such as collecting tolls, piloting water, and guarding. In addition to protecting the safety of the sea, they governed this area. There are many historical sites related to Murakami pirates that remain along the Shimanami Kaido, and in April 2016, “Home of “Japan’s Greatest Pirate: Geiyo Islands – Memory of Murakami KAIZOKU” that revives Murakami KAIZOKU It was certified as a Japan Heritage Site. You can enjoy a trip that touches history and culture while visiting places related to Murakami pirates.