Shimanami Kaido is a cycling route in Japan that connects seven islands of the Japanese Inland Sea for 70km. The connection is made by bridges whose toll ranges from ¥ 50 to ¥ 200.
Is called Shimanami Kaido, is 70 km long and connects the islands of the Japanese Inland Sea with a system of suspension bridges.
Let's talk about a (beautiful) bicycle path which allows you to discover an unusual Japan compared to that of the common imagination. A rural Japan, made up of landscapes by the sea, of infinite silence, of perched and hidden temples in the hinterland of the islands but also of less pleasant landscapes in some places because there are shipyards and commercial ports.
The islands will not give you their brazen beauty just by staying on the saddle of your bike: you will need to have some explorers' soul to see some of the most important temples and sanctuaries like that of Kosan-ji (on the island of Ikuchi-jima).
Little known by the Europeans, the Shimanami Kaido is the flagship of Japanese cycling and connects the island of Honshu with that of Shikoku; it is suitable for everyone and I am the living testimony that you don't need to be an expert cyclist.
You have two options: complete the entire 70 km in one day or break the tour over several days to discover the islands. The track is very well signposted and along the way you will easily find the 14 terminals for the bike rental: ¥ 500 per day plus ¥ 1000 deposit which will be returned to you only if you return the bike to the station where you rented it (attention: the rental shops close at 18pm!).
The bikes are of various types and for different needs; in addition, the paying a toll when crossing bridges (from ¥ 50 to ¥ 200). The tourist offices will also provide you with maps for the entire route. I arrived by ferry to the island of Ikuchi-Jima (40-minute crossing: about ¥ 800), deliberately chosen because it is characterized by citrus groves and beautiful beaches. I was staying in a spartan hostel which is beautifully located on the Sunset beach.
The hostel is the Setoda Shimanami Guest House (rooms from ¥ 4600/3000 per person with / without breakfast and dinner meals). I chose the overnight stay only. On the island there is a restaurant, some cafes and mini markets where I used to stock up. The rooms are very basic in Japanese style, with tatami mats and a private bath. But what's really worth it for is theirs onsen. Usually the onsen area is divided between men and women. When the structures have only one tub for the bathroom, the use is regulated by female and male hours, in shifts.
The onsen of the Shimanami Guest House has two rooms and at the entrance an indecipherable ideogram translated into English specific for each door men and women. One evening, ready to take our relaxing bath, we were stopped by the owner who gestured us to understand that the men's room was closed and then, with a quick flick of the wrist, he rotated the wooden plate of the ideogram of women who became a family! I guarantee that at the end of the day, after having been on the bike all day, plunging into boiling water and watching the sunset is one of the most rejuvenating experiences that Japan can offer you!
Information for the cycle path: www.go-shimanami.jp/global/english
