Yamanami Kaido
The Yamanami Kaidō is a 187 km cycling route linking Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture with Matsue in Shimane Prefecture. Designed with cyclists in mind, the route is divided into 18 sections, making it easy to tailor a ride from a short day trip to a multi-day journey. Riders can enjoy quiet rural landscapes, riverside paths, and mountain scenery, with plenty of roadside stations and hot spring towns for rest stops. Highlights include views of Lake Shinji near Matsue, gentle climbs through forested passes, and cultural sites along the historic San’in region. With light traffic and well-marked courses, the Yamanami Kaidō is ideal for both touring cyclists and those seeking a scenic long-distance adventure.
The Route
Official Route
The route is generally marked with blue lines on the road and offeres a way to cross Honshu island from Onomichi. However Route 54 can be quite busy as it is the main route for cars
Wabisabi Alternative
If you’re looking to avoid as much traffic as possible and enjoy the Japanese country side, Wabsabi has prepared the following route as well.
This route stays much closer to the trains (though on 3 trains a day in some sections) so it makes it easy to get in and out in the middle if necessary and also includes a ride around this 540 degree loop bridge
Things to do and see
Izumo Taisha Shrine
Izumo Taisha is one of the most famous shrines in Japan and is just off the course and is definitely worth a visit
Matsue Castle
Mastue Castle is one of 12 original castles in Japan and is one of the only 5 that are considered natural treasures.
Eshima Ohashi Bridge
The Eshima Ohashi bridge made popular in my social media is not far from Matsue and can be an intereseting visit. Bicycles can ride over on a wide sidewalk.
Getting there any away
Onomichi
Onomichi (Shin Onomichi Station, just a couple kms from central Onomichi) is on the Sanyo Shinkansen and easily accessible.
Onomichi Station is the center of town and is accessible by chaning from the Sanyo Shinkansen at Fukuyama and taking the local train 3 stops
Matsue
Matsue is on the sea of Japan side and does not have a shinkansen station. It is accessible by the Yakumo Limited Express from Okayama. Alternatively, Japan’s ony regular night train (Sunrise Izumo) stops at Matsue giving a direct connection to Tokyo
Miyoshi
Miyoshi, approximately halfway (a bit closer to Onomichi) also has train access to Okayama and Hiroshima
Other Links
Hiroshima Prefecture official website has information of other rides along the route (Japanese only)
