Day 56-57 This Is It! Amazing Shimanami Cycling Road
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Time to say goodbye to the kind Hikaru-san’s family in Matsuyama. I had Hikaru-san’s mom’s fresh carrot apple juice and was off to Imabari. Nate, who hosted me in Iwakuni and followed me for a few days to Matsuyama, cycled back to his home too. I passed by many cyclists along the sea, and one of them took a photo for me at this beautiful fujidana (wisteria shelf) at a shrine. 
It smelled so sweet and amazing.
Imabari is not so far from Matsuyama, about 40km, but I stopped there for the day so I could cross the ocean on the beautiful Shimanami Cycling Road the next day. Imabari is known for shipbuilding, towel production, and yakitori (grilled chicken on skewers).
In the morning I cycled by Imabari Castle. It is surrounded by water like some other castles in Japan. But, it is unique in that this is actually sea water and connected to the ocean. Apparently they used to farm oysters here, and was able to bring boats directly in. Sounds like a castle in the town of shipbuilding!
Some cyclists had told me that I shouldn’t miss Shimanami Cycling Road on the way north. It is a series of bridges and small islands between Shikoku and Honshu islands, connecting Imabari and Onomichi.
I was already in awe on the first of eight big bridges.
The views from the bridges were simply gorgeous. I could see through the water and it reminded me a bit of Okinawa.
The cycling road took me up the bridges and down to the islands. It’s island hopping on a bicycle!
When you get hungry between cycling, you can stop and grill clams for lunch!
My lunch was fried oysters with the ocean view.
Tandem bikes, road bikes, cruisers…, everyone was enjoying cycling.
Follow the yellow brick road…, I mean, the blue line and signs for Onomichi City.
A little break from cycling? You can see that these towns love cyclists. I came by a sign that says, “Welcome to Cyclist Oasis” on this sign of the town market.
Why not have some takoyaki with their local octopus inside?
When I was having the takoyaki break, a grandpa gave me an amanatsu mikan (sweet Watson pomelo). He peeled it for me, how kind!
I stopped so many times during the 90km+ ride that the sun started setting. Got to hurry up, but it’s so pretty!
I made it to Onomichi, just before it got dark. Ahh, what a beautiful day this was. I ended the day with chicken and vegetable based Onomichi ramen.
If you are a fearless fast rider, or have not cycled for a long time since childhood, this would make you want to get out on a bicycle. The beautiful ocean and bridges with delicious seafood along the way had everyone from young to old on bicycles. I would have missed so many of the beautiful views if I’d been driving a car. I wish more towns would become bicycle friendly like this place.
About the Author: Sachi
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