1Starting point: Sunrise Itoyama

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• Although most people start from the Onomichi side, this time, I drove to the cycling terminal on the starting point of the Imabari side, Sunrise Itoyama. At Sunrise Itoyama, not only is there of course a parking lot (free), but there are also lodging facilities, restaurants, shops, restrooms, and so on, making it a convenient location. After renting a bicycle, it's time to start out!
  Starting at Sunrise Itoyama, the third Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge is right in front of me! However, the third bridge is enormous, so to get up onto the bridge you have to go up the spiral-shaped bicycle and pedestrian loop bridge.
  By the way, in Itoyama Park, which is halfway up the loop bridge, there's a place called Kurushima-Kaikyo Observation Hall, where you can look out over the beautiful scenery - including the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges - of the numerous islands. Within the Observation Hall there is also an exhibition room explaining the bridge technology used in Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges; learning a bit about the bridge before starting out makes the trip that much more meaningful.

2Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges

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• Once you reach the top of the loop bridge, the grandeur of the scenery is sure to fill you with excitement! Looking down on the ocean from the highest point on the bridge, you're an incredible 65 meters above sea level; from that height, even gigantic container ships traveling on international sea routes look like toys. It feels terrific cycling along the bridge while looking at the ocean far away below.
  From here to Ohshima (Ōshima) on the opposite shore, there's a lot of downhill, making for relaxing cycling in the refreshing morning wind.

  Rest area

  There are two rest spaces provided on Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges (4A and 8P), jutting out over the ocean side of the bridge. If you're tired, you can sit down on a bench for a breather. They're also great places to look out on the grandeur of the Kurushima Strait and the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges and take photos to remember the trip by together with your friends.

3Umashima Island

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• There's an elevator for going down to Umashima Island located just after you cross the third bridge. The elevator is designed to accommodate bicycles as well, so make sure to head down and check out the island!
  On the Island is an enormous anchorage fixing the third bridge and second bridge in place; looking up at the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges from here, I was amazed all over again by how huge it is! Taking a rest on the shore and watching the boats going back and forth and watching the flow of the tide, I was able to forget about the hustle and bustle of daily life and feel at peace.

4Michi no Eki Yoshiumi Ikiikikan

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• After crossing the first bridge, there was a Michi no Eki visible immediately below. In the restaurant, which offers an array of fresh, local seafood, there's also a market place of special local products. Going big and having an earthen charcoal brazier barbecue also sounds good.
  Since I was by myself this time, I ordered a set meal of fresh seafood from the restaurant.
  Also, you can arrange to ride the "Kurushima Strait Rapids and Tide Observation Boat" here. If you have extra time, I'd recommend trying to work in the observation boat tour into your schedule to observe the rapids and whirlpools of Kurushima-Kaikyo, one of the three fastest tides in Japan, as well as Imabari City's shipyards and Kurushima Island, the remains of the castle of the Murakami pirates, up close.

  Learn more on the Kurushima Strait Rapids and Tide Observation Boat website.

Return to the starting point

Make sure to return in time to turn in your bicycle to the central rental bicycle terminal (Sunrise Itoyama) before they close.
They are open until 8 pm from April through September, so you can also make the return trip while taking in your fill of the view of Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges at sunset.