Total course distance: 5 kilometers one way
We took this course, which runs through roughly the center of Shimanami Kaido, over Tatara Bridge, which connects Ohmishima Island in Ehime Prefecture with Ikuchi Island in Hiroshima Prefecture.
This bridge is the most popular even among the 7 bridges of the Shimanami Kaido for its stylish form.
There is a signpost denoting the prefectural border on this bridge, so make sure not to miss it!
The starting point of the course is the Michi no Eki Tatara Shimanami Park, located right off of the Ohmishima Interchange. In the park, there is a monument commemorating the Cyclists' Mecca," as well as novelty human-shaped bicycle stands. The day we went, the park was crowded with cyclists.
After leaving our car in the parking lot, we headed right away to the Kamiura Rental Cycling Terminal next to the park. The bicycle rental fee was 1,000 JPY plus a 1,000 JPY security deposit, for a total of 2,000 JPY. The security deposit is returned when the bicycle is returned either at the terminal where you rented it or a different terminal within the same island, so we were actually able to rent bicycles for only 1,000 JPY. Making sure not to forget to rent helmets, as well, we departed towards Ikuchi Island!
A cable-stayed girder bridge 48 meters above sea level; at a length of 1,480 meters, it is the longest of its type in Japan. The girders of the bridge are supported by numerous cables extending from the huge, white pylons, so the road surface along the bridge itself is flat. Once you are on the bridge itself, there are very few ups and downs, making for easy cycling perfect for beginners.
Looking out from the Ohmishima Island side, the sight of Ikuchi Island and Kannonyama (the highest peak of the Geiyo Islands at 472 meters) towering in the distance beyond the gigantic 226-meter-high main towers of the bridge, creates a stunningly beautiful scene with its contrast between the green mountains and the white towers.
Beneath the main tower is a sign noting the "flutter echoes" ("dragon's roar"). If you try facing the sky and clapping your hands, you'll hear the sound of your hand clap echoed back.
Just after you have crossed Tatara bridge, there's a spot for taking commemorative photos that's perfect for posting on Instagram!
With just one click of the shutter, you can get a photo taking in the beautiful bridge, the green mountains and blue sea, as well as an art object in the shape of a lemon, a special product of Ikuchi Island.
It's said that Ikuchi Island was the first place in Japan to produce lemons domestically. Going down from Tatara Bridge and riding westward along the island roads, there are lots of hilly mountain roads and roadside lemon orchards! Apparently, during the winter harvest the whole island is wrapped in a refreshing citrus scent.
To our left as we cycled along the island, a small island shaped like a gourd floated in the ocean; locals informed us that this island, Hyoutan Island ("Gourd Island") was the model for the island from the famous TV puppet show "Hyokkori Hyoutan Jima."
Along the coastline of Ikuchi Island, there are 17 outdoors sculptures on display. Along the route we took, we were able to see 3 of them.
Apparently, 17 artists took the concept of making the whole island into an art museum and created works of art matching their image of locations that the artists themselves chose.
Approximately 2.5 kilometers after the exit of Tatara Bridge. Beautiful sand dunes spread out over this approximately 800-meter beach where families can spend time together swimming in the ocean, camping or barbecuing (reservation required). It seems that a variety of other marine activities aimed towards youth, like sea kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) are offered as well (April - October).
There are also cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, making it a good place to stop and take a break. After fueling up on the delicious Seto Inland Sea octopus, dishes using locally-produced citruses, and so on, we head back to the starting point, Tatara Shimanami Park!
While taking in your fill of the scenery of Shimanami Kaido, which continually changes with the passing of time and the angle of view like the varied expressions on a face,
make sure to time your return trip so that you're able to return your bicycle to the Kamiura cycling terminal before they close.
If you're ready for some additional exercise, before returning your bicycle at Tatara Shimanami Park, you can head 1.2 kilometers south from the park to get in some additional cycling. 160 meters offshore from Ohmishima is a small island floating in the ocean. This is Amazaki-jou Castle Ruins, which was a "sea fortress" from when the Murakami Navy turned the entire island into their stronghold. The remains of the castle's stone walls still remain on the seafloor, and they emerge during the spring tide. Also, several times of the year where there's an extremely low tide, the sea is "divided" and it's possible to walk out to the island from the strand.
