The Seto Inland Sea bounded by Honshu Island to the north and Shikoku Island to the south. In between, there are numerous smaller islands - some inhabited, some uninhabited. The Shimanami Kaido is a series of huge bridges that allow vehicles to cross from Honshu Island to Shikoku Island. It is also the only large bridge in Japan that allows the passage of bicycles on it.
The Shimanami Kaido bridge system consists of eight large bridges - the Shin-Onomichi Bridge, the Mukaijima Bridge, the Innoshima Bridge, the Ikuchijima Bridge, the Tatara Bridge, the Oomishima Bridge, the Hakata-Oshima Bridge and the Kurushimakaikyo Bridge.
These bridges connect the islands of Honshu, Mukaijima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Oomishima, Hakatashima, Oshima and Shikoku. The total distance from Ononomichi City in Honshu Island to Imabari City in Shikoku Island is around 80km.
First Hop - Onomichi City to Mukaijima
The first bridge in the Shimanami Kaido system is the Shin-Onomichi Bridge. Unfortunately, bicycles were not allowed on this bridge so I had to pay 110 yen for the 5 minute boat ride from a little pier in Onomichi to Mukaijima.
The 5 Minute Ferry Ride
Reaching Mukaijima, I rode south towards the next connecting bridge. Mukaijima is one of the smaller islands in the Seto Inland Sea. It was a rather quiet place, with mostly fishermen out along the coastline. Didn`t see many residents on this island.
The Mukaijima Bridge - Did not cross this because it did not connect to the next island that I wanted to go to
The Innoshima Bridge - Just before I cross from Mukaijima to Innoshima
Second Hop - Mukaijima to Innoshima
Crossing the Innoshima Bridge from Mukaijima to Innoshima, I had to travel in a seperate portion of the bridge under the main carriageway meant for automobiles. Still, the view was great!
View from the Innoshima Bridge - Thats Mukaijima on the right
Crossing into Innoshima, I take a break at the peaceful Shimanami Beach below. Had a quick brunch of bananas and muesli bars.
Shimanami Beach on Innoshima Island
Riding towards Ikuchijima, my next stop, the huge Ikuchijima Bridge comes into sight. As I will find out later, all the bridge entrances and exits for cyclists are located on the top of a small hill, so everytime I want to enter a bridge, I need to ride uphill, and everytime I exit, I get to enjoy some downhill!
Below the Ikuchijima Bridge
The uphill ride to the entrance of Ikuchijima Bridge - This path is only for pedestrians, cyclists and scooters
Third Hop - Innoshima to Ikuchijima
Unlike the Innoshima Bridge, the rest of the other bridges allowed cyclists on the main carriageway in a lane next to the automobile lanes. This let me get a better view of the surroundings as well as nicer photos too!
View from Ikuchijima Bridge
Reaching Ikuchijima, I cycled southwards again towards Tatara Bridge that would link me to Oomishima. Again, this island was rather deserted. I stopped for a break at this place called Sunset Beach, but there wasn`t a soul there!
Oh yeah, along the way to the Tatara Bridge, there was this lady selling organic fruits. As I was passing by she held out a giant grapefruit/orange-like fruit and asked me to have it, wishing me luck for my journey! I later found out that the fruit was called `ama-mitsu` in Japanese.
The Tatara Bridge - Seen from Ikuchijima
Entrance to the Tatara Bridge
Fourth Hop - Ikuchijima to Oomishima
The Shimanami Kaido bridge system only passed by Oomishima for a mere 5km. So after reaching Oomishima and cycling for around 30 minutes, I reach the entrance of Oomishima Bridge, that would bring me onto Hakatashima.
The Oomishima Bridge - Seen from Oomishima
Fifth Hop - Oomishima to Hakatashima
Again, the Shimanami Kaido bridge system only passes Hakatashima for merely 5km. Within less than an hour, I was almost at the entrance of the Hakata-Oshima Bridge. This bridge will lead me into Oshima, the final island before I reach Imabari City in Shikoku Island.
Taking a break before I start the uphill climb to the entrance of the Hakata-Oshima Bridge
Sixth Hop - Hakatashima to Oshima
Along the various cycling tracks and bridges on the Shimanami Kaido, I met scores of cyclists doing the route as well. It seems that this route is a very popular one with Japanese cyclists who live in the area due to its beautiful scenery and quiet roads.
Beautiful view of the Seto Inland Sea from the middle of the Hakata-Oshima Bridge
Oshima is the largest of the six islands that the Shimanami Kaido crosses in the Seto Inland Sea. As I was cycling towards the final bridge in the bridge system, I met a couple who were cycling towards Imabari City as well. They were the Nakamura`s and were on a single day cycling trip. They parked their car in Imabari and were on their way back to collect it when I bumped into them. An extremely friendly couple, Osamu and Kimi, invited me to stay at their house the following day, after I rested in Imabari City for the night.
Osamu-san and I in front of the Kurushimakaikyo Bridge - the largest bridge in the Shimanami Kaido system
Final Hop - Oshima to Imabari City
For the final leg of my Shimanami Kaido journey, I cycled with Osamu-san and Kimi-san to over the Kurushimakaikyo Bridge towards Imabari City. Upon reaching the city, Osamu-san helped me to arrange accomodation at Imabari Station Hotel before driving back to his home in Takamatsu.
I rested early that night. Its gonna be a long ride (150km) to the Nakamura`s place in Takamatsu the next day!
Final photo of the Shimanami Kaido - View from Kurushimakaikyo Bridge
No comments:
Post a Comment