We rode the Shimanami Kaido about two weeks ago and it was just jaw-dropping. Its where it really hit us that Japan is in fact partly subtropical - something that isn't very often shown in media. The Seto Inland Sea is an island paradise for sure.
@@natasjayulo677 We split the trip into 2 days and stayed overnight in Setoda, which feels like a natural halfway point. We rented some Mamacharis, so we definitely weren't going fast. Just pedaling along and enjoying the scenery. It all worked out really well and was a chill trip, though I guess my body did ache here and there at the end from me being simply too tall for the bikes^^
How tall are you? My partner is 6 feet..hoping he won't have the same problem. Regardless the experience alone is something I need to do my next Japan trip! Might consider the relaxed 2 days route. Thank you! @@MarvinTobisch
@@natasjayulo677I'm 6 feet as well. From Setoda to Imabari train station, its 46 kilometers, and while they didn't feel particularly taxing if you take your time, at the end, my quads, knees and butt did hurt a bit from the small-feeling and upright bike ergonomics. However, given the chance, I would do it all again immediately so don't let this sound discouraging. Riding the Shimanami Kaido is amongst my favorite memories of Japan. The default bike rental service has other choices than Mamacharis as well, such as normal cross bikes. And you could even upgrade to the more expensive Giant bikes, which no doubt fit persons of any height. The Giant bikes are only limiting insofar as they can only be picked up / handed back in Onomichi & Imabari whereas the default bike rental service has several stations dotted along the islands. Also there was one day in the week where the Giant stations were closed, which actually prevented us from even considering it with our timetable.
Great video, I learned a lot. Nice timing too, I'm going on my first Japan trip in October and just booked reservations for this route a few days ago. Starting from Onomichi then staying in Imabari, and doing the route in reverse next day. I reserved an e-bike, but hopefully it's not too rushed, because that second day I need to get to Takayama for the first night of the fall matsuri.
Nothing (that I know of) quite as cool as this but there are definitely plenty of awesome places to ride. You can go around Lake Biwa (near Kyoto) for instance.
great video, you wouldn't say that this vid was made by a small channel cause it was so well done the information given was great and very well paced. the only minor gripes i can have with this video is the overuse of (AI) art pieces instead of just showing a bit more of the trail (mainly at the start of the video) and the music beeing right on the edge of just a bit to loud, but your voice is very clear so this wasn't much of a problem. keep up the great work!
Did you just take a ferry back to the start? I know you said you were going to hangout at the last stop but it would be good to know how you got back to Hiroshima? I am assuming there is a bus station/route back once you drop off your bike.
Heya! I actually continued on. I stayed overnight in Imabari then got a train to Okayama. I'm not too sure about ferries from Imabari but it looks like there are buses back to Onomichi. Also looks like you could get the train to Matsuyama then get a ferry to Hiroshima if that's where you're headed. You'd definitely be able to find out the best options from tourist info services in either Onomichi or Imabari.
Hello, I’m planning to do this bike trip this weekend for one day. Would I have to ride back to my starting point or is there some other kind of transportation that could take me back? If not, how manageable do you think it would be to do this trip back and forth in one day?
I stayed the night in Imabari and then continued on elsewhere in Shikoku so I don't have firsthand experience but apparently, according to the Shimanami Japan website: "The easiest way to get back from Imabari to Onomichi is by taking the Shimanami Liner highway bus to Fukuyama JR Station and transferring to a local train to Onomichi. There are departures from Imabari JR Station and Imabari Port throughout the day and reservations are not required." That sounds doable at the end of the ride. Definitely confirm that it's the best option when you rent the bike in the morning though. Link is here: shimanami-cycle.or.jp/go-shimanami/experience/590
Excellent video! Lots of useful info. I really appreciate the links in the description too! I'm planning a trip in Nov and am trying to fit this ride in.
@@Kampai_Cam I did it! I went in early December. I took a sleeper train from Tokyo to Okayama then switched to a local train to get to Onomichi. This was the splurge part of the trip so I went all-out and rented an nice ebike from WAKKA themselves, and also stayed overnight at WAKKA on Omishima Island. WAKKA met me at Onomichi station at 9am with the bike. I also handed them my luggage to bring to the hotel. I took my time stopping everywhere along the way and got to the hotel late afternoon. I forgot to bring a warmer jacket - it was REALLY cold with just a light jacket and leg warmers (think Brisbane winter clothing). The next day I made a quick detour through a bit of Okunoshima (Rabbit) Island then had to rush a bit as I wanted to ride up to Kirosan Observatory Park (hence the ebike) and make it back down to Imabari in time for my train. It was a bit of a ride, but the view was spectacular. Lucky for me the ebike only ran out of power about 100m away from I-i-imabari Station where WAKKA was waiting for me with my luggage. Also no thanks to you, every time I saw an Imabari sign I would say "I-i-imabari" in my mind. Every.... time! It was an excellent experience! I would happily do it again as I missed out on quite a few things along the way. Time really flies when you're stopping everywhere and looking at things. Thanks again for this video, it was a wealth of information
@@veryboringname. OH WOW! That's brilliant! I'm so pleased you had a great time and that this video was useful! Thank you SO MUCH for letting me know - you've made my day! I-I-Imabari! 😜
Hi Cam, I am planning on doing the Shimanami kaido in March, I am planning on renting a carbon road bike from Giant in Onomichi and dropping it off in Imabari. I would like to ask your advice, there are 3 / 4 attractions I want to see along the route, but I am planning to do the route in one day only. Do you think it is possible to see 500 buddhas at Mt. Shirataki, Konsanji temple / hill of hope, oyamazumi shrine and Mt Kiro observatory and finish the route in one day. Or maybe I just do Mt Shirataki and drop Kiro. Appreciate any advice you have. Thanks
Hey Lisa, it entirely depends on how strong a rider you are, but even if you ride a lot this seems like a lot to fit into one day. I think the main thing is to be flexible in how you approach it. Do the 500 buddhas and Kousanji/Hill of Hope as you're riding right past the latter anyway, then you can see how you're going in terms of timing for the others. You can save a lot of time if you skip Oyamazumi as that's quite a detour off the recommended route. Hopefully you can make it though as that shrine has so much history. It's probably a good idea to ask the bike rental place for advice as they'd have a much better idea than me what's achievable. (After all, I had a standard rental bike and really took my time across two days.) Good luck - I hope you have a fantastic ride!
Another killer vid. Not sure if you mentioned but the Kisuke no Yu Bathhouse in Imabari has a strict no tattoos policy, which is gutting. Any recommends for an alternative in the same area with relaxed restrictions on tattoos? Or when Japan is gonna get past the whole tattoo thing. It's the Quake 3 Arena logo people it's the furthest thing from a gangster tattoo possible.
Haha so you're part of the Carmack Crew, eh? If it's small you could buy a patch for it and hope for the best. Otherwise, this site may be able to help: en.tattoo-go.in/. Choose Ehime in the area section and then you can select Imabari.
The route is well set up for cyclists so there are regular "cycle oasis" stops with bathrooms. More info here: cycling-ehime.com/en/article/7413/. Conbinis are much more sporadic, although there are a few.
The best video on the Shimanami Kaido I've seen by far! Loved the humour and detailed information :) I was looking to do the ride in December, for the Cycling Without Baggage do you drop off your suitcase at the same place as the Onomichi Bike Rental Terminal? Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! For Cycling Without Baggage I just made sure I was staying at hotels that were part of the service (the list is here: www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/stc/english/tieup.html). So in Onomichi I filled out a form and paid the fee at my hotel, so left my suitcase with them before I set off to rent the bike. They then ensured my suitcase made it to my next hotel and I did the same with them so it was waiting for me at my hotel in Imabari at the end of the ride. Was super simple. Apparently you can still arrange to use the service if you're not at one of the hotels (info here: shimanami-cycle.or.jp/go-shimanami/experience/572/) but I didn't do that. Good luck! Hope you have a great time :)
This is an incredibly detailed video! Thanks for the tips. I've just booked my hotels for November and this has helped immensely especially the links provided :)
@10:07 This. lol. I started at Imabari and I also missed that turn ending at Onomichi. I got an orange gelato at that Dolce shop which was refreshing after a good amount of cycling. What an amazing ride. I split mine in 2 days and overnighted at Omishima as well. My advice - wear biking shorts/pants with butt pad support. lol. Great detailed info! Very helpful!
Wow. Probably the most informative and entertaining video on the Shimanami Kaido. Thank you!
Thanks so much! Glad you got something out of it 😋
Im taking this ride today, on the train to Onomichi as I type this out. Thank you so much for the guide, I’m beyond excited!
Unreal! I hope you have a brilliant time =D
We rode the Shimanami Kaido about two weeks ago and it was just jaw-dropping. Its where it really hit us that Japan is in fact partly subtropical - something that isn't very often shown in media. The Seto Inland Sea is an island paradise for sure.
Totally! I definitely wasn't expecting palm trees!
how long does it take with your breaks/stops? where did you decide to stay overnight?
@@natasjayulo677 We split the trip into 2 days and stayed overnight in Setoda, which feels like a natural halfway point. We rented some Mamacharis, so we definitely weren't going fast. Just pedaling along and enjoying the scenery. It all worked out really well and was a chill trip, though I guess my body did ache here and there at the end from me being simply too tall for the bikes^^
How tall are you? My partner is 6 feet..hoping he won't have the same problem. Regardless the experience alone is something I need to do my next Japan trip! Might consider the relaxed 2 days route. Thank you! @@MarvinTobisch
@@natasjayulo677I'm 6 feet as well. From Setoda to Imabari train station, its 46 kilometers, and while they didn't feel particularly taxing if you take your time, at the end, my quads, knees and butt did hurt a bit from the small-feeling and upright bike ergonomics.
However, given the chance, I would do it all again immediately so don't let this sound discouraging. Riding the Shimanami Kaido is amongst my favorite memories of Japan.
The default bike rental service has other choices than Mamacharis as well, such as normal cross bikes. And you could even upgrade to the more expensive Giant bikes, which no doubt fit persons of any height. The Giant bikes are only limiting insofar as they can only be picked up / handed back in Onomichi & Imabari whereas the default bike rental service has several stations dotted along the islands. Also there was one day in the week where the Giant stations were closed, which actually prevented us from even considering it with our timetable.
You had me at Famichikis. Great vid, as always.
❤ Oh man, I've been looking forward to this one!
Thanks for this video, my partner and I are doing this next year!
No worries! I hope you have a fantastic time :)
Amazing. Reminds me of riding around Tsushima!
This is a brilliant video. We are doing this in September and taking notes directly from this vid!!!!!
Awesome! Have fun!! 😎
Great video, I learned a lot. Nice timing too, I'm going on my first Japan trip in October and just booked reservations for this route a few days ago.
Starting from Onomichi then staying in Imabari, and doing the route in reverse next day. I reserved an e-bike, but hopefully it's not too rushed, because that second day I need to get to Takayama for the first night of the fall matsuri.
Awesome! Have fun 😋
How do you only have 600 subscribers! Very high quality video!
Glad you enjoyed the video! 😋
That is so cool! Is there other cycling route like this in Japan?
Nothing (that I know of) quite as cool as this but there are definitely plenty of awesome places to ride. You can go around Lake Biwa (near Kyoto) for instance.
We just ride both ways starting and ending in Onimichi.
Nice!
You can take a ferry, we did just over half the route in a day taking a ferry back from the 3rd island.
Awesome video, brother! Makes me yearn for another jaunt over.
Thanks Patchikins! ❤
Amazing video! This is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Awesome! I'm so pleased it was helpful :)
great video, you wouldn't say that this vid was made by a small channel cause it was so well done
the information given was great and very well paced.
the only minor gripes i can have with this video is the overuse of (AI) art pieces instead of just showing a bit more of the trail (mainly at the start of the video) and the music beeing right on the edge of just a bit to loud, but your voice is very clear so this wasn't much of a problem.
keep up the great work!
Thanks! 👍
Did you just take a ferry back to the start? I know you said you were going to hangout at the last stop but it would be good to know how you got back to Hiroshima? I am assuming there is a bus station/route back once you drop off your bike.
Heya! I actually continued on. I stayed overnight in Imabari then got a train to Okayama. I'm not too sure about ferries from Imabari but it looks like there are buses back to Onomichi. Also looks like you could get the train to Matsuyama then get a ferry to Hiroshima if that's where you're headed. You'd definitely be able to find out the best options from tourist info services in either Onomichi or Imabari.
I rode shimanamikaido with my son 2days..
🤣 Initially, I thought the picture in Kisuke no Yu was another AI image.
Hello, I’m planning to do this bike trip this weekend for one day. Would I have to ride back to my starting point or is there some other kind of transportation that could take me back? If not, how manageable do you think it would be to do this trip back and forth in one day?
I am planning on starting in onomachi and ending in imabari.
I stayed the night in Imabari and then continued on elsewhere in Shikoku so I don't have firsthand experience but apparently, according to the Shimanami Japan website: "The easiest way to get back from Imabari to Onomichi is by taking the Shimanami Liner highway bus to Fukuyama JR Station and transferring to a local train to Onomichi. There are departures from Imabari JR Station and Imabari Port throughout the day and reservations are not required." That sounds doable at the end of the ride. Definitely confirm that it's the best option when you rent the bike in the morning though. Link is here: shimanami-cycle.or.jp/go-shimanami/experience/590
Excellent video! Lots of useful info. I really appreciate the links in the description too! I'm planning a trip in Nov and am trying to fit this ride in.
Should be the ideal time of year to do it! Hope you get there and thanks so much for all the positive feedback - it's much appreciated :)
@@Kampai_Cam I did it! I went in early December. I took a sleeper train from Tokyo to Okayama then switched to a local train to get to Onomichi. This was the splurge part of the trip so I went all-out and rented an nice ebike from WAKKA themselves, and also stayed overnight at WAKKA on Omishima Island.
WAKKA met me at Onomichi station at 9am with the bike. I also handed them my luggage to bring to the hotel. I took my time stopping everywhere along the way and got to the hotel late afternoon. I forgot to bring a warmer jacket - it was REALLY cold with just a light jacket and leg warmers (think Brisbane winter clothing).
The next day I made a quick detour through a bit of Okunoshima (Rabbit) Island then had to rush a bit as I wanted to ride up to Kirosan Observatory Park (hence the ebike) and make it back down to Imabari in time for my train. It was a bit of a ride, but the view was spectacular.
Lucky for me the ebike only ran out of power about 100m away from I-i-imabari Station where WAKKA was waiting for me with my luggage. Also no thanks to you, every time I saw an Imabari sign I would say "I-i-imabari" in my mind. Every.... time!
It was an excellent experience! I would happily do it again as I missed out on quite a few things along the way. Time really flies when you're stopping everywhere and looking at things. Thanks again for this video, it was a wealth of information
@@veryboringname. OH WOW! That's brilliant! I'm so pleased you had a great time and that this video was useful! Thank you SO MUCH for letting me know - you've made my day! I-I-Imabari! 😜
Great video! Will accommodation be plentiful along the route?
Definitely seemed like there were enough options. Obviously book as early as you can though!
Hi Cam, I am planning on doing the Shimanami kaido in March, I am planning on renting a carbon road bike from Giant in Onomichi and dropping it off in Imabari. I would like to ask your advice, there are 3 / 4 attractions I want to see along the route, but I am planning to do the route in one day only. Do you think it is possible to see 500 buddhas at Mt. Shirataki, Konsanji temple / hill of hope, oyamazumi shrine and Mt Kiro observatory and finish the route in one day. Or maybe I just do Mt Shirataki and drop Kiro. Appreciate any advice you have. Thanks
Hey Lisa, it entirely depends on how strong a rider you are, but even if you ride a lot this seems like a lot to fit into one day. I think the main thing is to be flexible in how you approach it. Do the 500 buddhas and Kousanji/Hill of Hope as you're riding right past the latter anyway, then you can see how you're going in terms of timing for the others. You can save a lot of time if you skip Oyamazumi as that's quite a detour off the recommended route. Hopefully you can make it though as that shrine has so much history. It's probably a good idea to ask the bike rental place for advice as they'd have a much better idea than me what's achievable. (After all, I had a standard rental bike and really took my time across two days.) Good luck - I hope you have a fantastic ride!
Great video, shows that don’t have to be a full blown cyclist to enjoy the area. Subscribed.
THANK YOU! Much appreciated =D
Another killer vid. Not sure if you mentioned but the Kisuke no Yu Bathhouse in Imabari has a strict no tattoos policy, which is gutting. Any recommends for an alternative in the same area with relaxed restrictions on tattoos? Or when Japan is gonna get past the whole tattoo thing. It's the Quake 3 Arena logo people it's the furthest thing from a gangster tattoo possible.
Haha so you're part of the Carmack Crew, eh? If it's small you could buy a patch for it and hope for the best. Otherwise, this site may be able to help: en.tattoo-go.in/. Choose Ehime in the area section and then you can select Imabari.
Are there lots of bathrooms or conbini with bathrooms on the route?
The route is well set up for cyclists so there are regular "cycle oasis" stops with bathrooms. More info here: cycling-ehime.com/en/article/7413/. Conbinis are much more sporadic, although there are a few.
The soundtrack was loud and distracting. Cramming info too fast and compact. Not my style.
The best video on the Shimanami Kaido I've seen by far! Loved the humour and detailed information :)
I was looking to do the ride in December, for the Cycling Without Baggage do you drop off your suitcase at the same place as the Onomichi Bike Rental Terminal? Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! For Cycling Without Baggage I just made sure I was staying at hotels that were part of the service (the list is here: www.sagawa-exp.co.jp/stc/english/tieup.html). So in Onomichi I filled out a form and paid the fee at my hotel, so left my suitcase with them before I set off to rent the bike. They then ensured my suitcase made it to my next hotel and I did the same with them so it was waiting for me at my hotel in Imabari at the end of the ride. Was super simple. Apparently you can still arrange to use the service if you're not at one of the hotels (info here: shimanami-cycle.or.jp/go-shimanami/experience/572/) but I didn't do that. Good luck! Hope you have a great time :)
Perfect thanks a bunch!
Great stuff. I’ll actually be experiencing this route in 5 months for the first time! Unreal!!
This is an incredibly detailed video! Thanks for the tips. I've just booked my hotels for November and this has helped immensely especially the links provided :)
Awesome! Glad it was helpful and hope you have an incredible time =D
@10:07 This. lol. I started at Imabari and I also missed that turn ending at Onomichi. I got an orange gelato at that Dolce shop which was refreshing after a good amount of cycling. What an amazing ride. I split mine in 2 days and overnighted at Omishima as well. My advice - wear biking shorts/pants with butt pad support. lol. Great detailed info! Very helpful!
That's awesome! So glad the info was useful and you had such a good time 😋
I don't know how you pack so many sights and so much info into these videos. Everything you'd wanna know on the subject and much more. Slick.
THANK YOU!
all these only took u 2 days?
Great info...thanks
Great Video. Thanks.
You're welcome! :)
well done! can't wait to try
Have a great time!
Buy an electric bike then sell it when you’re finished
This was fantastic, Cam!!!
This is the best guide to riding the Shimanami Kaido I have seen anywhere.
Thanks so much! =D
does anyone know if there is a ferry that could take you from Imabari to Hiroshima?