Japan Trip: Scenes of the Seto Inland Sea and Salt Air on the Ferry along Shimanaami Kaido, Onomichi, Hiroshima 10 Moochan
Shimanami Kaido Bridge, the world’s longest series of suspension bridges, connects Honshu (Japan’s main island) with Shikoku. Visitors can enter or exit the bridge from either Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture on the Honshu side or from Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku side. This 60 kilometer long bridge-toll road can be utilized by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Ferry service is also frequent along the Shimanami Kaido Bridge. Passengers can visit the islands via ferry which stops at the various Seto Inland Sea islands with the Shimanami Kaido Bridge in the background. There are 14 lines so visitors will have many options. Many, though not all, allow their passengers to carry bicycles on board. This may be because the 70 kilometer bicycle path (one way) the bridge provides may be tiring roundtrip. As there are ferries which stop at the islands, cyclists who decide not to continue the cycle journey can use the ferry, instead, to continue their Shimanami Kaido journey.
Though there are 14 lines, the following two may be helpful to foreign tourists.
** Onomichi Ekimae Port – Shige Higashi Port – Sawa Port – Setoda Port:
The one-way journey will take about 40 minutes with a cost of 820 yen. Passengers who wish to bring their bicycles on board will need to pay an additional 160 yen. There are 9 boats per day.
Visitors will find the Hirayama Museum and Kosanji Temple located near both Setoda Port and Sawa Port. And there are cycling terminals located near all four of the ports. However, only four of the nine boats per day stop at Sawa Port.
**Imabari Port – Tomoura Port – Kinoura Port – Habu Port:
The one-way journey takes 75 minutes with a cost of 1750 yen. There are 8 boats per day.
There is a cycling terminal located near Habu Port. This line is served by a high speed ferry. However, please note, there are a few boats on this line which do not allow bicycles on board.
Whether by ferry, bicycle, bus or car, Shimanami Kaido Bridge has a lot to offer its visitors. Whether it be going on the Tide Ride (a boat ride on the one of the fastest streams) on Oshima Island, visiting the Very Important Cultural Property of the Home of the Yoshihara Family on Mukaishima Island or just lying down to watch the sunset on Sunset Beach in Setoda (on Ikuchijima Island), visitors will enjoy the variety of attractions available along the Shimanami Kaido Bridge.
AloJapan.com