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Setouchi Shimanami Kaido will be the stage for “CYCLING SHIMANAMI,”
an international event that brings together cyclists from around the world
This is a special day, held once every two years, when cyclists can experience the exhilaration of riding along the expressway main road that are normally inaccessible to cyclists, as well as the spectacular views that can only be experienced on this day. This event is truly a “cycling trip” that allows participants to experience local hospitality and culture while crossing beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea. There are eight different courses cycling in distance from 30 km to 140 km to suit all fitness levels and objectives.
Features
Largest cycling event in Japan taking place on an expressway
Enjoy a sense of freedom riding across the nine bridges of the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido winding through the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
All participants will be able to cycle on roads normally reserved for cars.
International casual cycling event on a world-class cycling course
About 7,000 participants from around the world will ride on the world-class Setouchi Shimanami Kaido, a cycling road that has been designated as a National Cycle Route of Japan.
Known as a cyclists’ paradise, it runs across the calm and scenic Seto Inland Sea, where cyclists can enjoy the beauty of the archipelago.
Courses that feature the beauty of the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido
Cycle through the heart of one of Japan’s biggest national parks, the Setonaikai National Park, and enjoy the wonderful scenery and beautiful nature of the area.
There are eight courses, each designed for different skill levels and preferences: a comprehensive, roundtrip course, a refreshing medium-level course, a course including a ferry ride, and a casual course that can be enjoyed by beginners and families.
Experience Japanese omotenashi hospitality from locals
See the history, culture, and food made from local produce on each of the islands as you cycle through the rich nature of the Seto Inland Sea with unique features such as the ever-changing tide and beautiful archipelago.
You wil feel the warmth and hospitality of the locals as you pass aid stations and watch spectators cheer from the sides, a special welcome unique to the islands of Setouchi.
Overview
- Event name
- Setouchi Shimanami Kaido International Cycling Event
CYCLING SHIMANAMI 2026
- Organizer
- CYCLING SHIMANAMI Executive Committee
- Date
- [Check-in] Saturday,October24,2026
[Event] Sunday,October25,2026
- Location
- Setouchi Shimanami Kaido and Surrounding Area
- [Start]
- Nishi-Seto Expressway Imabari IC 〈Imabari〉
Nishi-Seto Expressway Kurushima Kaikyo SA〈Imabari〉
Nishi-Seto Expressway Mukaishima IC 〈Onomichi〉
- [Finish]
- Hirokoji・Imabari Port 〈Imabari〉
Mukaishima Sports Park 〈Onomichi〉
Yuge Port 〈Kamijima〉
- Registration Period
-
- [Premium Entry]
- 2026 8 p.m. Mon,April 13 – 11:59 p.m. Mon,May18(first-come,first-serve)
(includes guaranteed admission, event-exclusive cycling jersey, and local specialties)
- [General Entry]
- 2026 8 p.m. Mon,April 13 – 11:59 p.m. Mon,May18(lucky draw)
- Type
- Non-competitive public cycling event
- Participants
- Up to 7,000 people
- How to Register
- On the official website
Category
| Course | Distance (Expressway) |
Capacity (Premium Entry) |
Entry Fee (Premium Entry) [15 y/o and under] |
Bicycle Type | Start / Finish Venue |
Number of Aid Stations |
Time Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A |
One-way course across the Seto Inland Sea from Onomichi
– Ride across the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido heading south – IMABARI 70
Onomichi (Mukaishima) → Imabari〈One Way〉
|
about 70km
(about 23km)
|
1,250 people
(125 people)
|
22,000 yen
(46,000 yen)
|
Sports |
Mukaishima IC Hirokoji |
3 |
Within 5 hours |
| B |
Round trip from Onomichi to see five islands
on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido and Yumeshima Kaido – Enjoy the beauty of the archipelago in Onomichi and Kamijima – INNOSHIMA 70
Onomichi(Mukaishima) ↔ Kamijima(Iwagijima) (Round Trip)
|
about 70km
(about 17km)
|
250 people
(25 people)
|
19,000 yen
(43,000 yen)
|
Mukaishima IC Mukaishima Sports Park |
3 |
Within 6 hours |
|
| C |
Fulfilling long-distance course
– Ride around and through the islands – AROUND OMISHIMA 100
Imabari ↔ Omishima Loop (Round Trip)
|
about 100km
(about 30km)
|
1,250 people
(125 people)
|
20,000 yen
(44,000 yen)
|
Imabari IC Hirokoji |
4 |
Within 7 hours 30 minutes |
|
| D |
Longest course with a round trip across the Seto Inland Sea
– Enjoy the charms of the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido to the fulest – COMPLETE SHIMANAMI 140
Imabari ↔ Onomichi (Mukaishima) (Round Trip)
|
about 140km (about 43km) |
500 people (50 people) |
28,000 yen (52,000 yen) |
Imabari IC Hirokoji |
6 |
Within 8 hours |
|
| E |
One-way course across the Seto Inland Sea from Imabari
– Ride across the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido heading north – ONOMICHI 65
Imabari → Onomichi (Mukaishima)〈One Way〉
|
about 65km (about 43km) |
1,000 people (100 people) |
22,000 yen (46,000 yen) |
Imabari IC Mukaishima Sports Park |
2 |
Within 4 hours 30 minutes |
|
| F |
The perfect intermediate course to take your cycling to the next level
– Ride across the islands – OMISHIMA 70
Imabari ↔ Return to Omishima (Round Trip)
|
about 70km (about 30km) |
1,250 people (125 people) |
18,000 yen (42,000 yen) |
Imabari IC Hirokoji |
3 |
Within 6 hours |
|
| G |
Course dedicated to island travel and rides across eight islands
– Travel over two routes, Shimanami and Yumeshima – YUMESHIMA 75
Imabari → Kamijima(Yugejima)〈One Way〉
|
about 75km (about 35km) |
500 people (50 people) |
19,000 yen (43,000 yen) |
Imabari IC Yuge Port |
3 |
Within 6 hours |
|
| H |
Casual course that can be enjoyed by beginners and families
– Gaze over the scenery from the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge – OSHIMA 30
Imabari ↔ Oshima (Round Trip)
|
about 30km (about 12km) |
1,000 people (100 people) |
8,000 yen
(32,000 yen)
※4,000 yen
(28,000 yen) |
Sports
City Tandem |
Kurushima Kaikyo SA Hirokoji |
1 |
Within 4 hours |
* There is a separate handling fee in addition to the entry fee. The entry fee is non-refundable even if you retract your entry.
* Participants are required to provide an estimated time you expect to complete the course by referring to your finish time in past cycling events. Please be sure to include breaks at aid stations.
* H course participants are required to apply for a bicycle type. Please refer to the guidelines on the official website.
* For tandem bikes (H course), you must register as a pair and pay entry fees for both participants.
Participant Eligibility
【All Courses】
●Participants must be in good health and able to complete their selected course within the time limit.
●Participants must acknowledge the terms and conditions and rules for each bicycle type.
【Course A・B・C・D・E・F・G】
●Participants must be 15 years or older and have already completed a course of the same distance that they are registering for in a previous cycling event.
【Course H】
●Participants must be 9 years or older and able to ride on their own. Riders under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
（Written permission from a parent or guardian will be required in advance）