Hello! This is BETTER BICYCLES in Onomichi. Today, we’re excited to introduce our most popular cycling route for rental bike users: the Onomichi to Setoda course.
・Why the Onomichi to Ikuchijima Cycling Course is Popular
①”The best part! If you push through the 35 km one-way ride, you can leisurely take the ferry back to Onomichi.”
②”The route to Setoda (Ikuchijima), which is full of sightseeing spots, is relatively flat and beginner-friendly.”
Regarding point ①, this is likely the biggest reason for the route’s popularity. The toughest part of cycling is often the return trip. Enthusiasm fades, even for experienced cyclists. However, a ferry runs directly from Ikuchijima back to Onomichi, making the return easier for ¥1,800 (¥1,900 for e-bikes). Even beginners manage to finish the 35km ride.
For point ②, the bridges connecting the islands involve uphill stretches, such as a 1km climb with a 3% gradient. Without the ferry, you’d have to climb four times, but with it, only twice.
・Shimanami Cycling starts with a ferry ride
We will start with BETTER BICYCLES.
BETTER BICYCLES is located on the second floor of a (former) warehouse-like building by the sea.
This time, I was accompanied by Ms. Okamoto, a writer who often uses ONOMICHI SHARE, which is attached to our store. Okamoto-san, who does not usually ride a bicycle, will be using our popular electric-assist “JETTER.
Ms. Okamoto, who is 152 cm tall, was asked to ride an S-size JETTER.
It is a cross bike type electric power assisted bicycle from Panasonic that is very nimble and easy to ride.When your bicycle is ready, head for the
Onomichi ferry terminal, located about 300 meters from our store.
It is possible to cross the Shimanami Kaido by bridge between islands, but the ferry is recommended only when going to Mukaishima.
The distance is short and the waiting time is 5~10 minutes.
When the ferry arrives, you board at the sound of the bell.
No ticket is required, so just get on board.
After boarding the boat, you will pay 110 yen to the staff.
You can get change, but it is better to have small change ready if at all possible.
・Mukaishima Cycling
Once you cross over to the island, you will see a blue line called the Blue Line.
Then, using the Onomichi ferry, follow the Blue Line for a while and you will find the nationally famous ”Goto Drinking Water Works”
Here you can get original cider in retro bottles, a drink made on Mukaishima.
Although it is right at the start, we highly recommend this drink, which can only be tasted here.
After the cider shop, we will drive through the center of Mukaishima for a while.
There is a lot of traffic in this area, so be a little careful.
As long as you keep left and behave yourself, all drivers on the island are friendly to cyclists.
After getting off the ferry and driving along the Blue Line for about 5 km, the scenery suddenly takes on an island-like feel.
The red bridge is the Mukojima Bridge, which crosses to the neighboring Iwashi-jima Island. You don’t have to cross this bridge, though.
If you work hard to get to the bridge, you can take pictures that look like they were taken from the air.
I think you can take good pictures during group rides!
After driving for a while past the Iwashi-jima bridge, you will arrive at the very popular cafe “tsubuta SANK!
Their delicious ice cream made with local ingredients is very popular.
You can get ice cream in a garden with a great location.
If you drive along the Shimanami Blue Line, you are sure to pass by this place, so be sure to stop by.
Riding along the Blue Line again, you will begin a pleasant seaside route.
And in front of you, you will see the Innoshima Bridge, which you will be crossing.
A few minutes further on from the Innoshima Bridge, you will arrive at Tachibana, one of the most popular areas on Mukaishima. There are many cafes and restaurants including “forumiest table” “70cafe,” and “Willows Nursery. If you have time to spare, please stop by.
As soon as you pass the cafe, the blue line tells you to turn left.
Some people may pass by without noticing, so please be careful.
There is also a sign for “Innoshima Ohashi Bridge.
And from here, the uphill begins.
It is a bit long (1.1 km), but with electric bicycles, there is no problem.
If you are using a regular bicycle, set it to the lightest gear and pedal as if you were spinning your legs, and you will find it relatively easy.
After 1.1 km of endurance, you will be surprised at how high you have climbed. The road you were on earlier looks much further away.
The Innoshima Bridge passes under the roadway.
The road is narrow, so please be careful when taking pictures.
・Innoshima Cycling
After about 13 km from the start, you will land on Innoshima Island! The spot to stop here is “Hassaku-ya. Get the Hassaku Daifuku, which has become a specialty of Innoshima.
The store is down the hill after crossing the bridge, and when you see the red 0 “white dinosaur”, turn right at the T-junction with the pedestrian crossing.
The road after the turn is hilly, so change to a lighter gear as soon as possible. The distance is short.
The building you can see at the top is the “Hassaku-ya”.
As you can see, the Hassaku Daifuku has real Hassaku(Citrus fruits native to Innoshima） inside, and the combination of white bean paste and Hassaku is the best.
Since they are made here, you can enjoy juicy Hassaku Daifuku more than take-out.
And in the park with the dinosaurs mentioned earlier, there is a very stylish cafe, SEABRIDGE.
It has a great location with the ocean in front of it and many books and picture books, so if you have time to spare, you can relax at a window seat.
After the break, we will ride along the Blue Line again. From here, there are no stops for a while, so pedal along while enjoying the scenery of the island. On the way, you will have a choice between a shorter route with an uphill, and a slightly longer route with fewer hills. Whichever route you choose, you will arrive at Ikuchijima. This time, we chose the longer outer route.
About 20 km after the start, we arrived at HAKKO Park, a theme park of Manda Fermentation, a famous Japanese enzyme food company.
A cafe, a deck by the sea, and goats will welcome you.
About 23.5 km after the start, we are approaching the center of Innoshima. You will see the Ikuchi Bridge in front of you, which you will now cross. The Family Mart near here is recommended for a break. The reason is that there is a rest area for cyclists.
It is gunna be sunny depending on the time of day, but it is nice that there are tables and chairs.
There is a highly recommended ramen shop near Ikuchi Bridge here.
Just after passing the bridge, you will find Takuma Shoten, an island noodle shop.
Since the store is located along the Blue Line, this is also a place you must pass by.
The most popular item at this restaurant is Chicken Salt Soba.
If you have already had Onomichi Ramen, this is the one for you.
The light, yet rich soup will soothe your tired body.
The rice with chazuke (rice with green tea) is a must-have.
Departing from Takuma Shoten, you will see another sign that you may miss. Turn left here.
The sign is hidden by trees and is difficult to see, so there are quite a lot of people who pass by here.
As when crossing to Innoshima Island, the approach to the bridge is a gentle slope.
If you are not confident in your physical strength, use an electric bicycle.
If you are riding a regular bicycle, use a lighter gear.
The Ikuchi Bridge passes next to the highway, so you can enjoy beautiful views of the sky and the bridge.
Bicyclists can fully enjoy the bridge, which would be over in an instant if you were driving a car.
The Yumeshima Sea Route can be seen in the distance.
If you have experienced Shimanami, please visit Yumeshima as well.
・Cycling on Ikuchijima Island
About 27 km after the start, we finally arrived at our final destination, Ikuchijima (Setoda).
I have introduced a variety of gourmet foods so far,
If you have not eaten anything by accident, you can refuel at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at the foot of the bridge.
I often take a break here when I go cycling on my days off.
After leaving the convenience store, we headed west along the coastline for a while.
When the weather is clear, the sea and sky are really beautiful.
After riding for a while by factories and schools, you will see the sign of “Dolce”, a popular restaurant in Setoda.
You can get a variety of delicious gelato, including Setoda’s famous lemon.
If you pass by here in the late afternoon, you will see many cyclists.
We are back on the road again, about 33 km from the start. We are now in the center of Setoda. We are almost to the goal, Setoda Port. There are many sightseeing spots in the area, and we have arrived at Kosanji Temple, where one of the most popular installation spots, “Miraishin no Oka” (hill of the future heart), is located!
The dazzling Miraishin Hill is well worth a visit on a sunny day, so take your time and spend a couple of hours exploring.
And my favorite is the retro “Shiomachi Shopping Street.
Cafes and restaurants line the old streets.
Purchase croquettes at Oka Tetsu Shoten.
I hear that there is quite a long line here during peak season.
Roasted chicken at Tamaki Shoten
Shokudo Aori, a delicious squid restaurant started by a former colleague.
Without being patronizing, the squid is so delicious that it will change your concept of squid. Reservations are required.
Cafe VIA, run by a cyclist owner.
Recently, original jerseys, T-shirts, and other apparel have become very popular
At the west end of the shopping street is the hotel and cafe SOIL setoda, and it was hard to decide which cafe to go to.
This time we had tangerine juice at Bonapour Rakushoen, which opened in March 2024.
This mandarin orange juice is so delicious, you should definitely try it.
Well, if you continue slowly westward along the Shimamachi shopping street, you will arrive at your final destination, Setoda Port, about 34.5 kilometers from the start.
This is the goal of this Shimanami cycling tour, about 34.5 km from the start.
Cycling time up to this point is 1 hour and 48 minutes. The average speed is about 18 km/h.
Starting from Onomichi, it took about 3 hours while taking breaks and taking pictures.
・Comfortable cruising to Onomichi!
After waiting at the port for a while, the bright yellow Citrus arrives.
Since it was a weekday, we boarded the Citrus. On weekends and holidays, you can also board the Rasli, a boat for cyclists.
Please check here for the operation calendar and timetable → “Setouchi Cruising”.
Put your bicycle on the deck of the boat and return to Onomichi.
A pleasant breeze will blow through the ship as you cruise along the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea.
・Arrival in Onomichi
About 45 minutes after setting sail, the ship arrives in Onomichi.
You can also see the popular spot “ONOMICHI U2.
This concludes the Onomichi – Setoda Cycling Tour.
If you have 6 hours, you can enjoy Shimanami cycling while visiting the recommended spots.
You can also enjoy the tour efficiently if you adjust your schedule to the time of the ferry from Setoda Port.
If you have not yet experienced Shimanami Cycling, please refer to this blog and try it.
This route will surely allow you to enjoy cycling to the fullest!
Please feel free to visit BETTER BICYCLES and we will be happy to show you the route.
For those who are not confident about their physical strength, we also recommend electric bicycles.
Okamoto-san, who challenged Shimanami cycling for the first time this time, said he was totally fine until the end! He said he was fine until the end.
We look forward to seeing you all soon.
This blog was written by Hideo
BETTER BICYCLES ONOMICHI
Business Hours：9:00a.m-6:00p.m
Closed：Wednesday
