A first in Japan!

Traversing Shimanami Kaido, you can cross the Kurushima Channel by bicycle or on foot.

Continually visited by numerous people from all over the world, this is currently the holy land of cycling!

Sunrise Itoyama is Imabari city’s cycling terminal, a spot that has also become a base for people who enjoy cycling. One of our most recommended spots in Imabari, among other services, it has lodging facilities and a restaurant, and offers bicycle rentals.

Today, we’d like to introduce “Omohide cycling”, a recommended tour for guests staying at Sunrise Itoyama.

Sunrise Itoyama guests who participate in the “Omohide cycling” tour can rent bicycles free of charge. Yours truly borrowed a sports type bicycle!

We move off towards Umashima, a small island floating in the offing of Imabari city.

Travelling by car, you can’t stop, but when you’re on a bicycle you can even take photographs on the bridge.

This is Umashima Island, which is where we are heading.

You can’t get down to the island by car, but with a bicycle it’s no problem. We get into the elevator with our bicycles and head down to ground level.

We leave our bicycles behind and walk among the trees; it really feels like an adventure!

After we going through the bushes, we get to a deserted white-sand beach! It’s almost like a private beach.

There’s a cavern here that’s not very well known, even by locals!

Passing through the cavern, we reach a rocky shore. It’s a spot where if you’re lucky, you can even see the whirling tides. I’m moved by the superb and thrilling view.

We leave the cavern behind and head towards a sunset viewing spot, but not before taking a commemorative photograph with Shimanami Kaido in the background.

How was it?

“Omohide cycling”, a tour limited to guests staying at Sunrise Itoyama. I’m sure it will be an experience that will stay in your memory for a lifetime.

Sunrise Itoyama
Address: 2-8-1 Sunaba-cho, Imabari city, Ehime prefecture
Inquiries: TEL: 0898-41-3196
Parking: Available
Holidays: Open all year round
Homepage: http://www.sunrise-itoyama.jp/ (Japanese)

http://www.sunrise-itoyama.jp/archives/english/ (English)

Omohide Cycling
Bicycle rental fees & guide fees are free of charge
Apply: By e-mail or telephone

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Maki Ohashi