Shimanami Kaido
A road from Onomichi to Imabari in Shikoku, linking six islands of the Seto Inland Sea by seven bridges. It has bicycle lanes on the bridges and is a world-famous cycling route.
The Shimanami Kaido, officially the Nishiseto Expressway, connects Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture on Honshu with Imabari in Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku. The motorway covers about 60 km and passes six islands: Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Ōmishima, Hakatajima and Oshima. Seven sea-crossing bridges link them, including the Innoshima Bridge, the Tatara Bridge and the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge. It is the only route among the Honshu-Shikoku bridges with dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. The cycling route is about 70 km long, with blue guide lines painted on the road surface. CNN and other media have named it one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world. Sights along the way include the Innoshima Suigun Castle, the Kōzan-ji temple and the Mirai Kokoro no Oka park on Ikuchijima, the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, Setoda Sunset Beach, the Oyamazumi Shrine on Ōmishima, the Murakami Kaizoku Museum on Oshima, and the strong tidal currents of the strait seen from the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge. A car trip can be done as a day return. Cycling the whole route takes about 6 to 8 hours. Beginners can split it over two days and stay in guesthouses on the islands. Onomichi, the islands and Imabari all have rental offices where cars and bikes can be returned at a different location. Bicycle bridge tolls have been waived for many years (check on-site notices), but the expressway for cars charges tolls. The wind is strong on the bridges, so take care.