🌉 Hiroshima / Ehime · 1–2 days
Shimanami Kaido by Car: Onomichi to Imabari Island Drive
Drive the Shimanami Kaido across the islands of the Seto Inland Sea from Onomichi to Imabari — 7 michi-no-eki with island citrus, sea views and Japan’s most famous bridge road.
The Shimanami Kaido is the only expressway in Japan you can also cross on foot or by bike — a chain of great suspension bridges hopping island to island across the Seto Inland Sea from Onomichi in Hiroshima to Imabari in Ehime. Cyclists come from all over the world for it, but by car it’s a relaxed half-day of blue channels, terraced citrus groves and island shrines.
This route crosses from the Onomichi side through Innoshima and Ikuchijima to Omishima — the island of the ancient Oyamazumi shrine — then over the Tatara Bridge and down through Hakatajima to Imabari. The michi-no-eki double as citrus stands (the islands grow Japan’s best lemons and mikan) and bridge viewpoints; several sit right at the foot of a bridge tower.
The stops, in driving order
- 1 Michi-no-Eki Kurosuroodo Mitsugi 道の駅 クロスロードみつぎ · Hiroshima
Michi-no-Eki Kurosuroodo Mitsugi (道の駅 クロスロードみつぎ) is a government-designated roadside station in 尾道市, Hiroshima, Japan, registered in 2001 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, free Wi-Fi and a park. There is free parking for about 79 cars and 5 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–19:00＜休 第4火曜日（祝日は営業）、12/31–1/1＞. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chugoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Bingo Fuchuu, Sera and Mihara Jinmei No Sato.
Nearby: ⛰Mt. Ryuo (8.4 km) · 🏛府中市歴史民俗資料館 (9.6 km)
- 2 Michi-no-Eki Mihara Jinmei No Sato 道の駅 みはら神明の里 · Hiroshima
Michi-no-Eki Mihara Jinmei No Sato (道の駅 みはら神明の里) is a government-designated roadside station in 三原市, Hiroshima, Japan, registered in 2011 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, EV charging and free Wi-Fi. There is free parking for about 100 cars and 17 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00 ＜休 第3火曜日＞. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Chugoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Kurosuroodo Mitsugi, Imabari Shi Tata Ra Shimanami Kouen and Takehara.
Nearby: ⛰Mt. Ryuo (6.8 km) · ⛰Mt. Hiraki (7.2 km)
- 3 Michi-no-Eki Imabari Shi Tata Ra Shimanami Kouen 道の駅 今治市多々羅しまなみ公園 · Ehime
Michi-no-Eki Imabari Shi Tata Ra Shimanami Kouen (道の駅 今治市多々羅しまなみ公園) is a government-designated roadside station in 今治市, Ehime, Japan, registered in 1998 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, EV charging and free Wi-Fi. There is free parking for about 300 cars and 16 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Shikoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Shimanamino Eki O Shima, Hakata S ・ C Paaku and Yoshiumiikiiki Kan.
Nearby: 🏛Murakami Mishima Memorial Museum (0.1 km) · 🏯甘崎城跡 (1.1 km)
- 4 Michi-no-Eki Shimanamino Eki O Shima 道の駅 しまなみの駅御島 · Ehime
Michi-no-Eki Shimanamino Eki O Shima (道の駅 しまなみの駅御島) is a government-designated roadside station in 今治市, Ehime, Japan, registered in 1998 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a local-products shop, showers, a tourist-information desk, a park and a baby room. There is free parking for about 32 cars. Typical opening hours are 8:30–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Shikoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Imabari Shi Tata Ra Shimanami Kouen, Hakata S ・ C Paaku and Takehara.
Nearby: ⛰Mt. Washigato (1.8 km) · 🏛Murakami Mishima Memorial Museum (4.5 km)
- 5 Michi-no-Eki Hakata S ・ C Paaku 道の駅 伯方S・Cパーク · Ehime
Michi-no-Eki Hakata S ・ C Paaku (道の駅 伯方S・Cパーク) is a government-designated roadside station in 今治市, Ehime, Japan, registered in 1998 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, EV charging and free Wi-Fi. There is free parking for about 300 cars and 16 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Shikoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Imabari Shi Tata Ra Shimanami Kouen, Shimanamino Eki O Shima and Yoshiumiikiiki Kan.
Nearby: 🌄カレイ山展望台 (2.1 km) · 🏯能島城跡 (2.3 km)
- 6 Michi-no-Eki Yoshiumiikiiki Kan 道の駅 よしうみいきいき館 · Ehime
Michi-no-Eki Yoshiumiikiiki Kan (道の駅 よしうみいきいき館) is a government-designated roadside station in 今治市, Ehime, Japan, registered in 2002 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, EV charging and free Wi-Fi. There is free parking for about 100 cars and 10 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–17:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Shikoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Hakata S ・ C Paaku, Shimanamino Eki O Shima and Imabari Shi Tata Ra Shimanami Kouen.
Nearby: 🌄亀老山展望公園 (1.4 km) · 🌄糸山公園展望台 (4.4 km)
- 7 Michi-no-Eki Imabari Yu No Ura Onsen 道の駅 今治湯ノ浦温泉 · Ehime
Michi-no-Eki Imabari Yu No Ura Onsen (道の駅 今治湯ノ浦温泉) is a government-designated roadside station in 今治市, Ehime, Japan, registered in 1998 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, showers, a tourist-information desk and an accessible restroom. There is free parking for about 33 cars and 3 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Shikoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Komatsu Oashisu, Yoshiumiikiiki Kan and Hakata S ・ C Paaku.
Nearby: ⛰Kasamatsuyama (1.8 km) · ⛰Ryosenzan (3.3 km)
Make this route yours — load all 7 stops into the planner, reorder or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
Customize this route →Route tips
- Michi-no-Eki Tatara Shimanami Park sits at the foot of the Tatara Bridge — the single best view on the whole crossing.
- The islands are Japan’s lemon capital — buy lemons, lemon cake and citrus soft-serve at every stop.
- Omishima’s Oyamazumi Shrine, near the michi-no-eki, holds Japan’s largest collection of medieval armour and swords.
- You can rent a bike at either end if you want to ride one bridge — the cycle path is separate from the car road.
Before you drive
- Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country
- Renting a car in Japan: the complete guide
- Can you sleep overnight at a michi-no-eki?
FAQ — Shimanami Kaido drive
How many days do you need for the Shimanami Kaido drive route?
1–2 days is a comfortable pace: roughly 80 km of driving with 7 michi-no-eki stops along the way. You can compress it, but the stops are the point.
Where does the route start and end?
It starts at Onomichi (Hiroshima) and ends at Imabari (Ehime). Load all 7 stops into the free MichiStops route planner to reorder, add or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
When is the best season to drive this route?
Year-round; clearest sea views spring and autumn.
Do I need to rent a car?
Yes — michi-no-eki are roadside stations, realistically reachable only by rental car or campervan. Most visitors can drive in Japan with a 1949-convention International Driving Permit; check the license rules for your country before booking. License rules by country →
Can I sleep overnight at the michi-no-eki on this route?
Resting overnight in your vehicle is tolerated at most michi-no-eki, but tents, awnings and open-air cooking are not allowed. Read the overnight-stay guide for the etiquette. Overnight-stay guide →