A girls cycling trip from the Akinada Tobishima Kaido to the Shimanami Kaido

Bicycles can be rented at Cottage Kajigahama on Shimokamagari Island. If you make a reservation in advance, they will deliver the bicycle to Nigata Station on the JR Kure Line. There are beginner and cross bikes, so please specify which type you would like when making your reservation. *Electric assist bikes are also available.

The staff at Cottage Kajigahama will give you a lecture on how to use the bicycles, and confirm the return time and place. Now it's time to go!

■Detailed information

Address: 2-1 Nigata Honmachi, Kure City (Nigata Station)

The first bridge is the Akinada Bridge. It was chosen as a location for the movie "Drive My Car." The bridge is 1,175 meters long and 130 meters above sea level! A spectacular view spreads out before you. Bicycles are ridden on the sidewalk on the west side of the Akinada Bridge (only construction workers are allowed on the east side).

After crossing the bridge and entering Shimokamagari Island, you will see Shirasakien on your left. Here, a large monument by Kyoto ceramist Imai Masamasa catches your eye. Made of ceramic panels glazed with ash from citrus trees, a specialty of Shimokamagari Island, it is titled "Life - Earth, Fire, Wisdom, Sky, Water." The larger one is said to represent men, and the smaller one women. There are benches and toilets here, so you can take a short break.

In May, the park's azaleas are in full bloom, adding a pop of red and white flowers to the landscape.

■Detailed information

Address: Shimojima (Shirasakien), Shimo-Kamagari-cho, Kure City

The Kamagari Bridge comes into view. After passing Shotoen Garden and Rantoukaku Museum, we arrive right under the bridge. Here we find Umi-Eki Sannoseki, where we can eat freshly fried "Jakoten" (200 yen per piece). The "Jakoten" here is made with Hime Hijiki salt and is fried on the spot for each order, so it's piping hot! Coffee and shiso juice are also sold in the store. Depending on the season, citrus fruit souvenirs are also available. We take a break and enjoy the complex flow of the tides crossing the strait while munching on our "Jakoten".

■Detailed information

Address: 2358-1 Shimojima, Shimo-Kamagari-cho, Kure City

Phone: 0823-70-8282

Business hours: 9:00-17:00

Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, New Year holidays

Parking: Available (free)

We crossed the Kamagari Bridge and drove along the coast. This area is unique for its granite quarries and the tankers transporting the stones. After passing through the Hara Tunnel, we passed mandarin orange orchards on the left and eventually arrived at Kenmin-no-hama Beach. We had our long-awaited lunch at Megumi-no-Oka Restaurant, located just past Kenmin-no-hama Beach. There is also a bicycle parking area in front of the restaurant. The Megumi Gozen (1,650 yen including tax) is a luxurious meal made with tempura, sashimi, several side dishes, and Takakage rice from Mihara. The tempura is served with Kamagari's famous seaweed salt.

Megumi no Oka Restaurant also has a dog run overlooking the sea, and many customers bring their dogs along.

■Detailed information

Address: Kure City, Kamagari Town, Oura, Maeokiura, Megumi no Oka Kamagari (about 500m from Prefectural Citizens' Beach)

Phone: 0823-70-7010

Business hours: 11:00-14:00

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (open on public holidays)

Parking: Approximately 100 cars (free)

After eating, we took a break at the "Kagayaki no Yakata" at "Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens' Beach." All rooms here have ocean views, and there is a restaurant. In the surrounding area, there are cottages, the bathing facility "Kamagari Natural Hot Spring Yasuragi no Yakata," an astronomical observatory, and facilities for enjoying SUP and kayaking. A short walk away is the Citizens' Beach swimming area. We took a short walk listening to the sound of the waves in this spectacular resort-like scenery. The area was also chosen as a filming location for the movies "Umizaru" and "Tobenai Fuusen."

■Detailed information

Address: 7605 Oura, Kamagari-cho, Kure City

Phone: 0823-66-1177

Business hours: 8:00-18:00

No regular holiday

Parking: Approximately 100 cars (free)

One of the attractions of the Tobishima Kaido Cycling Road is the view from the bridges. Among them, the Toshima Ohashi Bridge itself is beautiful, and there is a viewpoint that is rumored to be a hidden gem among cyclists. It is the observation deck on the east side of the bridge. The Toshima Ohashi Bridge is commonly known as the Abi Ohashi Bridge, and is a relatively new 903-meter-long suspension bridge that opened in 2008. From this observation deck, you can see the entire suspension bridge, making it a great photo spot! To get to this observation deck from the Kamikamagari Island side, you will need to turn right at a place with no traffic lights. Be sure to watch out for oncoming traffic.

Then we crossed the Toshima Bridge and arrived at Osakishimojima.

Then suddenly there's an exhilarating downhill slope, like diving into the ocean! Awesome!

■ Data

Address: Toshima Ohashi Observatory, Oura, Kamagari-cho, Kure City

Parking available (free)

Once you pass Teshima and cross the Toyohama Bridge, you'll finally arrive at Osaki Shimojima. As you ride along the coastline, you'll see Misumijima on your left. It's a triangular island with a pointed mountain. Overlooking Misumijima is a rest area for cyclists. Park your bike at the cycle port and relax for a while while looking out at the sea.

■ Data

Address: Kure City, Toyomachi, Kure

Parking available (free)

We arrived at the Mitarai district, in the westernmost part of Osaki Shimojima. Mitarai was a town that flourished as a transit trade port during the Edo period, and even today there are many historically valuable buildings and historic sites remaining. We parked our bikes at the cycle port at the Mitarai Rest Area, received a town map, and planned a walk. Pushing our bikes, we entered the townscape. People's lives are still evident, with houses with white walls, houses made of sea cucumber walls, and Western-style houses. There is also a row of stores, including the Virgo Theater, which was once used as a theater, and watch and antique shops that are still in business. The area was also chosen as a filming location for the movie "Drive My Car."

■Detailed information

Address: Mitarai, Toyomachi, Kure city

Parking: Mitarai Parking Lot (5 cars, free), Mitarai Kamome Parking Lot (approximately 40 cars, free)

There is a torii gate in front of the large gangi where the Kitamae ships once anchored, and next to it is Ebisu Shrine. It is the oldest shrine in Mitarai, built here in 1739 to help prosper the port, and is beloved as the god of prosperous trade and matchmaking. Behind the shrine is the "Stone of Youth." I put my hands together and pray, a little greedily, for a safe journey, wonderful connections, and to stay beautiful forever.

■Detailed information

Address: 248-2 Mitarai, Toyomachi, Kure city

A short walk from Ebisu Shrine, you will come across the stone takadoro (takadourou), a symbol of Mitarai, beyond the stone breakwater "Chisagohato" built in the Edo period. This served as a lighthouse during the Edo period and remains exactly as it was at the time. Next to it is Sumiyoshi Shrine, and going further ahead along the stone embankment, you will find another takadoro (takadourou) built in the Heisei period. The sound of engines from small boats passing through the quiet Mitarai Straits is somehow evocative.

■Detailed information

Address: 340 Mitarai, Toyomachi, Kure City

From Osakishimojima, we passed the small islands of Heirajima and Nakanojima before arriving at Okamurajima. The Okamura Bridge that leads to Okamurajima is the border between Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. We crossed into Ehime Prefecture in the middle of the bridge!

From the bridge, the distant islands and the townscape of Mitarai are very beautiful. With the mountains of Shikoku in the distance to the south, we finally arrived at Okamura Port. Here we meet with "Cottage Kajigahama". We return the bicycles that we worked so hard on all day. From Okamura Port, we take the Omishima Blue Line Ferry bound for Omishima-Munekata Port and head to Omishima to enjoy cycling on the Shimanami Kaido.

■Detailed information

Address: 723-2 Okamura-ko, Sekizen, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture (Okamura Port)

A girls cycling trip from the Akinada Tobishima Kaido to the Shimanami Kaido