The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Expressway connects Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture and Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture. It is a 60-kilometer route that comprises the Nishi Seto Expressway, Ikuchijima Road, and Oshima Road. Of the many routes connecting the major islands of Shikoku and Honshu, this is the only one that has a path exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. It is a popular route for cyclists worldwide because you can enjoy panoramas of the lush islands in the beautiful Seto Inland Sea while cycling on a magnificent bridge.


If you depart from Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, the first bridge you cross on the Setouchi Shimanami Expressway is the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, which is about 4.1-km long. It opened in 1999 as the world's first triple-suspension bridge. From the bridge, you get a spectacular view of the Kurushima Strait and the popular Setonaikai National Park. The scenery at night is wonderfully different yet just as fantastic as during the day.

The Setouchi Shimanami Expressway crosses the scenic Seto Inland Sea and links six islands with a total of seven bridges. There are plenty of bicycle rental stations and rest areas, plus a ferry that operates along the entire route, so anyone from beginners to experts can enjoy cycling on the Setouchi Shimanami Expressway. You won't find a cycling experience like this anywhere else.

Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge
Address
Between Sunabacho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture and Oshima Island
Phone Number
+81 (0)782-91-1033

Located off the coast of western Ehime in the Seto Inland Sea, the Kutsuna Islands are made up of more than 30 different islands and are part of Setonaikai National Park.

The underwater terrain is shaped by complex currents running between the islands, and this creates an excellent environment for a wide variety of fish species. Some fish, like horse mackerel and sillago, can be easily caught, even by beginners. There are also rock fish such as red sea perch and sea ruffe, and flounders, fat greenling, black sea bream, and red sea bream. Different types of fish inhabit the waters thoughout the year, keeping anglers coming back again and again.

Among the Kutsuna Islands, there are nine inhabited islands, the largest being Nakajima Island. Various types of citrus fruits, such as mikan (mandarins), iyokan, and kara mandarins are grown on Nakajima, so it is known as the "island scented with citrus flowers". Piers at the ports of Oura, Konoura, and Nishinaka on different sides of the island, as well as the island’s beaches and rocky areas are very popular fishing spots.

Another recommended fishing spot in Ehime Prefecture is Cape Sada, Japan's longest and narrowest peninsula, located in the westernmost part of Shikoku. It is recently known as a fishing spot for big horse mackerel, but big fin reef squid, largehead hairtail, yellowtail, and red sea bream can also be found around the peninsula. It is a good spot for both families who just want to go fishing for fun and experts with their own fishing gear. If you decide to go, please respect fishing prohibited areas and no entry zones, and make sure to take your garbage with you when you leave.