Emerging from “Lemon Valley,” we cycle on to the next bridge.
Crossing Tatara Bridge, on the route to Omishima Island.
Tatara Bridge is a structure that connects Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures.
Arrival at WAKKA.
WAKKA
- WAKKA is a comprehensive tourism facility on Omishima. It is equipped with a hotel, cafe,
showers and laundry room, along with cycling support and numerous other enjoyable
activities.
https://wakka.site/en/
Paying a visit Oyamazumi Shrine,
to pray for safety throughout the remainder of the trip.
The shrine grounds here include a massive camphor tree, estimated to be over 2,600 years old.
The shrine offers “helmet good luck charms,” to protect the heads of cyclers.
Oyamazumi Shrine
- Oyamazumi Shrine is one of some 10,000 Yamazumi Shrines throughout Japan, and serves as the Main
Shrine of Mishima.
https://oomishimagu.jp/
(Japanese Only)
For lunch, we dine on seafood rice bowls
at a popular restaurant
across from Oyamazumi Shrine.
Tairyo
- Featuring delicious low-priced dishes, lines form outside the shop before it opens.
Service hours are from 11:30 a.m. until the food runs out!
The next destination is Hakatajima
Island.
Here, we visit the Hakata S.C. (Sports Culture) Park Michi no Eki
(“roadside station”) rest and shopping area.
“Humanoid-shaped” bicycle stands!
“Hakata Salty Soft Ice Cream” is a famed local snack. The faint salty taste makes this a unique and delicious treat!
Hakata S.C Park
- This Michi no Eki offers bicycle rentals, a park, tennis courts and an adjoining beach. There
are also shops selling local specialties and tasty restaurants.
https://imabari-shimanami.jp/hakata/
(Japanese Only)
On to Mt. Kiro, with a spectacular view of the surrounding area!
The road up to Observatory Park at the peak provides a tough uphill climb.
Completing the ascent, the panoramic
landscape emerges
in all its splendor!
Mt. Kiro Observatory Park
- Observatory Park is 307.8 meters above sea level. The view here includes Kurushima Kaikyo
(Channel) Bridge, as well as the swift ocean currents of Kurushima Channel. On clear days, it is
also possible to see Mt. Ishizuchi – the tallest peak in Western Japan.
https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/spot/?a=182
(Japanese Only)
At last, our arrival at Imabari. Here, we
pause for a snapshot
in front of the Itoyama Cycling Center commemorative monument.
Itoyama Cycling Terminal
- This is the Shikoku side base of the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road. Besides bicycle rentals,
there are also lodging facilities, restaurants and other welcome services.
https://www.sunrise-itoyama.jp/archives/english/
This guesthouse features an impressive view of the scenic Setouchi island
chain. The wooden structure is a renovated elementary school that closed to students in 1985.
https://www.ikoinoie.co.jp/english/index.html
Imabari contains Japan’s largest facility for human interaction with
dolphins. Guests may swim along while grasping the dolphins’ dorsal fins, or observe these intriguing
mammals as they move gracefully through the waters.
https://www.df-shimanami.com/
(Japanese
Only)
Exciting cruises are also available, with boats navigating fierce tidal
currents packing the force of dynamic ravine-like rapids.
http://www.noshima.jp/choryu
(Japanese
Only)
The bicycle rental station in front of Imabari Station. This facility
normally keeps around 100 cycles on hand, and also offers bicycle washing services, showers and
changing rooms (at reasonable fees).
https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/spot/?a=22
This resort hotel has been newly opened on “Umashima,” a special island
lying just off the coast of Imabari. Non-residents require special permission to visit this
isle.
https://glamprook.jp/umashima/
(Japanese
Only)
From here, we depart on the first day of our excursion.
