Cycling in Hiroshima

Hiroshima Prefecture is one of the best places in Japan for cycling, especially if you enjoy riding along the coast. The Seto Inland Sea is scattered with hundreds of islands, and Hiroshima offers an incredible variety of ways to explore them by bicycle.

From the famous Shimanami Kaido to quiet island roads where you can go for kilometres without seeing another car, Hiroshima has something for almost every type of cyclist. There are also mountain routes heading inland, historic towns, old railway lines and plenty of opportunities to combine cycling with ferries and trains.

The real attraction of cycling in Hiroshima is the variety. You can spend one day crossing huge suspension bridges between islands and the next riding a tiny coastal road past fishing villages.

Coastal Cycling

The Seto Inland Sea is where Hiroshima really shines as a cycling destination.

Several official cycling routes follow the coastline and connect the islands and peninsulas around the prefecture. Hiroshima currently has four major Setouchi cycling routes—the Shimanami Kaido, Tobishima Kaido, Sazanami Kaido and Kakishima Kaido—as well as the Yamanami Kaido heading inland.

The routes are quite different from one another, so it is possible to spend several days in the area without simply repeating the same type of ride.

Shimanami Kaido

The Shimanami Kaido is probably the best-known cycling route in Hiroshima and one of the most famous cycling routes in Japan.

Starting in Onomichi, the 70km route crosses six islands before reaching Imabari in Ehime Prefecture. The route is famous for its enormous bridges, beautiful views across the Seto Inland Sea and the small towns and citrus orchards along the way.

It is also one of the easiest places in Japan to organise a cycling trip. There are dedicated cycling facilities, blue route markings and bicycle rental services that allow you to rent a bike in one location and return it somewhere else along the route.

But don’t assume that the 70km official route is all there is to ride. The islands contain countless smaller roads and coastal detours, and adding some of these can turn the Shimanami Kaido into a much longer and more interesting ride.

Tobishima Kaido

If the Shimanami Kaido sounds a little too busy, head south from Kure (Kawajiri Station) and try the Tobishima Kaido.

This chain of islands feels considerably quieter than its famous neighbour. The roads follow the coast, passing fishing villages, citrus orchards and small harbours with views across the Inland Sea.

The official route takes the most direct roads towards Okamura Port, but the Wabisabi route takes a different approach. By going around the backs of several islands, you can add some distance while spending much more time beside the sea and avoiding traffic. The route also passes through Mitarai, one of the best-preserved historic port towns in the area.

For me, this is one of the best rides in Hiroshima if your priority is simply enjoying the road rather than ticking off a famous cycling route.

Read more: [Tobishima Kaido]

Kakishima Kaido

Further west, the Kakishima Kaido provides another excellent island-hopping ride.

The official route is around 70km and follows the coastline of the islands south of Kure. Like the other cycling routes in Hiroshima, it is marked with blue lines, making navigation relatively straightforward.

However, there is plenty of scope to extend the route. By heading further south and exploring some of the quieter roads, the ride can be extended to around 110km while remaining relatively flat.

The roads here are often remarkably quiet, and many sections run directly alongside the water. It is the kind of cycling that makes you want to slow down rather than chase a fast average speed.

Islands Away From the Main Routes

One of the best things about cycling in Hiroshima is that you don’t need to stay on the major cycling routes.

The Seto Inland Sea is full of smaller islands that can be reached by ferry. Many have little traffic and surprisingly good cycling roads.

Sagi Island

Sagi Island is a small island just off the main Shimanami Kaido area.

A ferry is required to reach it, but once you arrive there is a pleasant 12km loop around the island. It is a particularly good option if you are looking for a short ride away from the more popular cycling routes.

The island also has several impressive cherry blossom areas, making it an interesting spring destination.

Ōsaki-Kamijima

Ōsaki-Kamijima is another excellent choice for cyclists looking for somewhere quieter.

The island is not directly connected to the Shimanami Kaido, so getting there requires some planning and a ferry. That extra effort is part of the appeal.

Once on the island, you’ll find quiet coastal roads, small villages and excellent views across the Inland Sea. It can also be combined with the Tobishima and Kakishima Kaido routes to create a much longer island-hopping tour.

Inland Hiroshima

Hiroshima isn’t only about the sea.

Head north from the coast and the landscape changes dramatically. The flat coastal plains give way to forests, rivers, rice fields and mountains.

The Yamanami Kaido is the major cycling route through this part of the prefecture. It runs approximately 187km from Onomichi to Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, crossing the mountains of the Chugoku region. The Hiroshima section includes a number of shorter loop routes, making it possible to experience the countryside without committing to the full 187km journey.

Compared with the island routes, this is a completely different side of Hiroshima. Instead of ocean views and bridges, expect quiet rural roads, forests, river valleys and mountain passes.

The official route can use some busy roads, so it is worth considering alternative roads when planning your ride.

Cycling Around Hiroshima City

You don’t necessarily need to leave Hiroshima City to get on a bicycle.

The city sits at the mouth of the Ota River, and the river system provides relatively easy access to quieter areas north of the city.

The Kawanami Cycling Road follows the Ota River for approximately 23km, beginning near Yagi in Asaminami Ward. The route makes use of the river environment and follows alongside the former Kabe railway line. It was developed with input from professional cycling team Victoire Hiroshima.

Hiroshima has also been improving cycling infrastructure in the city itself. In 2025, a physically separated section of bicycle path opened along Peace Boulevard, providing a safer and more comfortable way for cyclists to travel through the city centre.

This makes Hiroshima an interesting city to combine with a cycling holiday: you can spend some time exploring the city and its history, then use the city as a base for longer rides into the surrounding countryside.

Things to See

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima’s history is impossible to ignore when visiting the city.

The Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome are the most important places to visit, and they are easily accessible by bicycle. Rather than simply passing through Hiroshima on the way to the islands, it is worth taking some time to explore the city.

Miyajima

Miyajima is one of Japan’s most famous destinations and is located just outside Hiroshima City.

The island is famous for Itsukushima Shrine and its huge torii gate standing in the sea. Bicycles can be useful for exploring the quieter parts of the island, although the central tourist area can be crowded.

For cyclists, Miyajima can also make an interesting starting point for exploring the western side of Hiroshima and the coastline towards Kure.

Mitarai

Mitarai is one of my favourite places to visit on the Tobishima Kaido.

This historic port town developed as a stopping point for ships travelling through the Seto Inland Sea. Today, its narrow streets and preserved traditional buildings provide a wonderful place to stop and explore on foot.

It is exactly the kind of place that is easy to miss when following the shortest possible cycling route—which is why I recommend taking the longer road.

Food

Hiroshima is also a great destination for cyclists who enjoy eating.

Of course, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is the obvious choice when visiting Hiroshima City. But once you head out onto the islands, the food changes with the landscape.

The Seto Inland Sea is famous for seafood, oysters and citrus fruit. Many of the islands have small restaurants, roadside shops and cafés where you can stop for something to eat while enjoying views over the water.

On the Shimanami Kaido, local citrus products are particularly common. Hassaku daifuku—mochi filled with white bean paste and hassaku citrus—is one of the area’s better-known cycling snacks.

When to Go

Hiroshima can be cycled throughout much of the year, but spring and autumn are particularly good.

Summer provides long days and lush green scenery, but the combination of heat, humidity and exposed coastal roads can make long rides hard work.

Autumn is another excellent season, particularly for the inland routes where the mountains begin to change colour.

Winter can actually be a good time for the island routes. Temperatures are generally milder than in much of northern Japan, and the quieter roads can make for very peaceful cycling. However, winter winds can make the exposed bridges and coastlines considerably colder than expected.

Getting Around

Hiroshima is particularly convenient for a cycling trip because you can combine trains, bicycles and ferries.

Hiroshima Station provides easy access to the city, while Onomichi is the natural gateway for the Shimanami Kaido. From Hiroshima, Onomichi can be reached in roughly an hour by train and many train stations along the Kure line in between offer access to ferries to other islands

Ferries are also an important part of cycling around the Seto Inland Sea. They allow you to connect islands that don’t have bridges and can turn what would otherwise be an out-and-back ride into a much more interesting route.

For longer trips, Hiroshima can be connected with neighbouring Ehime, Shimane, Yamaguchi and Okayama, creating hundreds of kilometres of possible riding.

Planning a Longer Hiroshima Cycling Trip

The real advantage of Hiroshima is that the different routes can be combined.

A trip could start in Onomichi with the Shimanami Kaido, continue south through the quieter islands and connect with the Tobishima and Kakishima Kaido. Alternatively, head inland from Onomichi and follow the Yamanami Kaido towards the mountains.

With ferries connecting many of the islands, there is no need to restrict yourself to the official routes. Some of the best cycling can be found on the small roads that aren’t marked on the standard cycling maps.

For cyclists who enjoy exploring rather than simply following a prescribed route, Hiroshima is one of the best regions in Japan.