Recommended tourist spots along Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido is a long toll road that connects Japan’s main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku with seven bridges passing over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea.
The roughly 60 kilometer route, which extends from Onomichi, Hiroshima to Imabari, Ehime, is full of beautiful scenery consisting of the blue ocean, green islands, and large bridges.
The area’s rich natural surroundings make it ideal for traveling in a camper. Your 2-day trip will begin from the Okayama Airport Location of Heisei Car Rentals.

The information on this website is as of when it was last edited, April 2018.
There may be changes to various items including when facilities are open and fees. Check the latest information from any of various sources such as the facilities’ website before visiting the facility. All prices include tax.

Innoshimaohashi Memorial Park因島大橋記念公園

  • MAPCODE 48-066-244*27
  • Innoshima Ohama-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
  • tel 0845-26-6211 (Island Revitalization Division, Innoshima General Branch Office, Onomichi Municipal Government)
  • http://www.go-shimanami.jp/spot/ (Japanese)

Innoshima Bridge is one of the bridges located along Shimanami Kaido, and connects Innoshima Island with Mukaishima Island, both of which are islands located in the Seto Inland Sea.
It is a giant suspension bridge with a length of 1,270 m and a bridge clearance of 50 m. In 1983, Innoshimaohashi Memorial Park was built at the foot of the bridge to commemorate the bridge’s completion. The park is an open greenspace with a spectacular view of Innoshima Bridge.

For this trip, you will be riding “Corde Bunks,” a camper with a seating capacity of seven passengers. It will take about an hour and a half to get from Heisei Car Rentals, Okayama Airport to Innoshimaohashi Memorial Park.
Cordebunks

The park is located at the foot of the bridge. It is a vast, open greenspace, making it a great place for light athletic activities.

About a 3-minute drive from Innoshimaohashi Memorial Park is another park, which has playground equipment as well as a large dinosaur statue.
Innoshima Amenity Park
MAPCODE 48-065-410*83
57 Innoshima Ohama-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
tel 0845-26-6212

Innoshima Suigun Castle因島水軍城

  • MAPCODE 381-860-759*82
  • 3228-2 Innoshima Nakanosho-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
  • tel 0845-24-0936
  • 9:30 - 17:00 (10:00 - 15:00 on Jan. 2 and 3)
    Closed: Thursdays (open on public holidays), Dec. 29 to Jan. 1
    Admission: Adults ¥310, elementary and junior high school students ¥150
  • https://www.ononavi.jp/sightseeing/ (Japanese)

This museum is dedicated to the Murakami Suigun, a feudal navy (pirates) that was active in the Seto Inland Sea in medieval Japan.
The museum’s collection includes armor, swords, and scrolls containing battle tactics.

It is about a 15 min. drive from Innoshima Amenity Park. The structure visible at the hilltop is Innoshima Suigun Castle.

Although pirates are often thought of as villains, Murakami pirates were daimyos (feudal lords) of the sea.

Commemorative photo taken at a face in the hole board of a pirate.

Kosan-ji Temple耕三寺

  • MAPCODE 154-506-249*31
  • 553-2 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
  • tel 0845-27-0800
  • 9:00 - 17:00, open year round
    Admission: Adults ¥1,400, college students ¥1,000, high school students, age 65 or older ¥1,200, no charge for junior high school or younger
  • http://www.kousanji.or.jp/english/

Kosan-ji Temple is a unique Buddhist temple complex on Ikuchijima Island, the island to the west of Innoshima Island.
The numerous halls and towers – which were modeled after historic buildings constructed in various places across Japan such as Kyoto, Nara and Nikko – are a sight to see.
The entire complex has been opened to the public as a museum, and each exhibition pavilion showcases famous items connected with themes such as Buddhism, tea ceremony, and modern art.

It is about a 30-minute drive from Innoshima Suigun Castle. Let’s now make a stop at the tourist information center, which is located right in front of Kosan-ji Temple. The town of Setoda is Japan’s leading lemon producer. At the entrance, you will be welcomed by large art objects depicting citrus fruit.
Setoda Tourist Information Center
200-5 Sawa, Setoda-cho, Onomichi-shi
tel 0845-27-0051
9:00 - 17:00
https://www.ononavi.jp/ (Japanese)

Sammon Front Gate, the first temple tower you will see, is a richly-colored construction that is modeled after the gate to Shishinden Hall at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

Koyomon Gate, which is located at the top, is a reproduction of Yomeimon Gate, a national treasure located at Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi. It was constructed over a period of ten years.

Miraishin no Oka未来心の丘

  • MAPCODE 154-506-249*31
  • 553-2 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
  • tel 0845-27-0800
  • 9:00 - 17:00, open year round
    Admission: No extra admission
    http://www.kousanji.or.jp/english/

This garden, which is made of white marble, is located on the grounds of Kosan-ji Temple.
Numerous abstract statues made by sculptor Itto kuetani, who is active internationally, line the interior of this spacious garden with an area of 5,000 m2. Be sure to pay a visit to the garden while you are inside the temple complex, as there is no extra admission fee.

The marble stones were imported from Italy and it is said that they were transported in container vessels.

Now it’s time for a break at a Caffé Cuore, which is located inside the garden. The marble exterior as well as the tables and chairs inside the cafe were designed by Itto Kuetani, creating an elegant Mediterranean space.

About a 1-minute drive from Kosan-ji Temple is Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art. The museum showcases the work of Ikuo Hirayama, a Setoda native who is known for his works with Buddhist themes.
Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art
MAPCODE 154-506-249*31
200-2 Sawa, Setoda-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
tel 0845-27-3800
9:00 - 17:00, generally open year round
Admission: Adults ¥900, college and high school students ¥400, elementary and junior high school students ¥200
http://hirayama-museum.or.jp/en.html

Setoda Sunset Beach瀬戸田サンセットビーチ

  • MAPCODE 154-414-184*42
  • 1506-15 Tarumi, Setoda-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima
  • tel 0845-27-1100
  • Sunrise to sunset, open year round
    Admission: Junior high school or above ¥550, elementary school students ¥350
    http://www.onomichi-sunset-beach.jp/ (Japanese)

This seaside park was selected among Japan’s top 88 beaches.
A white sandy beach stretches across an area of 800 meters along the western coast of Ikuchijima Island. A beautiful view of the sunset is also visible here.

It is about a 10-min. drive from Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art. The beach has a bicycle rental shop, a restaurant, and a gift shop, among other facilities. 17 works of contemporary art are placed outdoors in various locations around the town, and three of them can be found at the beach.

About a 15-minute drive from Setoda Sunset Beach is an observatory, which is located on a plateau on Omishima Island. There you can enjoy the beautiful view of the bridge. The road is narrow, so it is best to drive a small car or walk from the park, which is about 400 meters from the observatory.
Tatara Observatory
MAPCODE 154-321-385*41
7505-7 Inokuchi, Kamiura-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
Roadside Station Tatara Shimanami Park
MAPCODE 154-321-052-63
9180-2 Inokuchi, Kamiura-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
0897-87-3866
9:00 - 17:00, open year round
http://www.imabari-shimanami.jp/ (Japanese)

We recommend spending the night in this area on the first night. If you spend the night in your car, we recommend Tatara Camping Ground and Guest House Tomo, and other places if you are staying at a guest house.
Tatara Camping Ground
MAPCODE 154-321-529*03
7523 Inokuchi, Kamiura-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
tel 0897-87-3855
http://www.go-shimanami.jp/ (Japanese)
Guest House Tomo
MAPCODE 381-220-787*87
891 Tomoura, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
tel 0897-86-3234
http://www.go-shimanami.jp/ (Japanese)

Dolphin Farm Shimanamiドルフィンファームしまなみ

  • MAPCODE 154-114-672*42
  • 1673 Kanoura, Hakata-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
  • tel 0897-72-8787
  • 9:00 - 17:00, open year round
    Admission: Tour (junior high or older ¥500, four or older ¥400), sea creature interaction ¥5,000, swimming ¥9,000. Must make reservations for everything other than the tour.
    https://www.df-shimanami.com/ (Japanese)

You will have the opportunity to interact with dolphins and whales or swim with them by hanging on to their back fins.
The beautiful and spacious location, which takes advantage of a natural beach and the land surrounding it, is another allure of Dolphin Farm Shimanami.

It is a 12-minute drive from Tatara Camping Ground. The facility is on Hakatajima Island.

For the animal interaction activities, visitors can feed and shake hands with the dolphins and whales.

Drive for about 15 minutes and you will arrive at Murakami Suigun Museum. The museum showcases such items as armor and unearthed articles.
Murakami Suigun Museum
MAPCODE 381-280-772*12
1285 Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
tel 0897-74-1065
9:00 - 17:00, closed Mondays (next day if public holiday), closed year-end and New Year holidays
http://museum.city.imabari.ehime.jp/ (Japanese)

Kirosantenbo Park亀老山展望公園

This tourist spot was ranked 2nd in the “TripAdvisor 2017 Japan’s Top Lookout Spot Rankings Chosen by Travel Enthusiasts.”
From there you will be able to see Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge (the world’s first bridge consisting of three successive suspension bridges), the currents of the Kurushima strait (one of three fastest currents in Japan), and on a clear day, Mount Ishizuchi (the tallest mountain in western Japan).

It is located on Oshima Island, which is also the home of Murakami Suigun Museum. It is about a 25-minute drive from the museum.

This turtle statue sits in front of the observatory. The origins of the mountain’s name – Mt. Kirosan – are inscribed on the statue.

The view from Kirosantenbo Park (altitude: 307.8 m) is so beautiful you will remember it for the rest of your life.

Kurushima Strait Swift Current and Tide Watching Cruise来島海峡急流観潮船

This cruise excursion is about 50 minutes long. You will be able to get a close hand look at the swift current in the Kurushima Strait.
In addition to swift current and whirling waves, Kurushima Island (the residential castle of Murakami Suigun) and Imabari shipyards will all be visible from the cruise ship. Experience the rough ocean waters, which are known throughout Japan, while imagining that you are a pirate.

Before getting on the ship, be sure to complete the procedures at Yoshiumi Ikiikikan, which is located near the boarding area.
Roadside Station Yoshiumi Ikiikikan
MAPCODE 381-122-866*70
4520-2 Myo, Yoshiumi-cho, Imabari-shi, Ehime
0897-84-3710
9:00 - 17:00, open year round (except Jan. 1)

Being able to get a close look at the swift current is quite a thrilling experience.

Where to dine? Yoshiumi Ikiikikan. This trip will end by dining at Kaisen Shichirin Barbecue.
The following are estimates for the amount of time it will take to drive back to Heisei Car Rentals locations.
Okayama Airport Location: Approx. 2 hours
Okayama Ekimae Location: Approx. 2 hours
Matsuyama Airport Location: Approx. 1 hour and 25 min.

cordebunks

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