Virtual Shimanami Kaido Challenge
Take on one of Asia's most celebrated cycling routes from your own roads. The Shimanami Kaido runs roughly 83 km (about 52 miles) from Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture across six Seto Inland Sea islands to Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, crossing a series of dramatic bridges between the islands, with sea views in every direction. Route Rally turns every synced ride, run or walk into progress along this iconic Japanese crossing.
- Route: Shimanami Kaidō
- Distance: 83.2 km
- Elevation gain: 900 m
- Short, iconic island-hopping ride
- Best for: Short rallies of your own, first challenges, and quick solo or group goals
Planning your challenge
A cyclist averaging 150 km/week finishes in well under a week; a runner at 40 km/week takes about two weeks, and a walker at 30 km/week completes it in around three weeks.
This is a Short route by Route Rally distance bands, making it one of the fastest routes to complete and a natural first international challenge.
Works well as a first virtual challenge, a quick cycling goal, or a short motivating target for a group.
Create your own rally for your own Shimanami Kaido target, solo or with a group sharing one leaderboard.
Why this route
- The Shimanami Kaido is considered one of the best cycling routes in the world, covering about 83 km (52 miles) across the Seto Inland Sea from Hiroshima Prefecture to Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku.
- As a virtual challenge you cover the distance in your own time, with daily rides, runs and walks from wherever you train all counting towards the island-hopping finish.
- The short distance makes it one of the fastest routes to complete on Route Rally: a committed cyclist can finish it in a single week of normal training.
- Its international setting gives it a distinctive character, and it is a useful gateway route for those planning or dreaming about cycling in Japan.
- The gentle, short profile also makes it an accessible first challenge for those new to virtual route goals.
Highlights
- Start at Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, a hillside port city on the Seto Inland Sea
- Cross the first of the island bridges onto Mukaishima Island
- Island-hop across Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima and Hakatajima
- Finish at Imabari in Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku
Common questions
How do my rides count towards Imabari?
Each activity your tracker sends over is credited for you, moving you across the islands from Onomichi. At 150 km a week a cyclist is at Imabari in well under a week, which makes this one of the fastest finishes in the Route Rally catalogue.
Do I have to ride in Japan?
No. The islands supply the idea and you supply the mileage, so your commute and your weekend rides count towards it from anywhere. You will not get the bridges or the Seto Inland Sea views, but the 83 km between Onomichi and Imabari is the same distance from your own roads.
Why is the Shimanami Kaido so famous?
It is one of the few cycling routes in the world that crosses open sea on dedicated cycle paths over a series of major suspension bridges. The combination of dramatic bridge crossings, sea views and island culture has made it one of Asia's premier cycling destinations.
How long does it take to cycle?
At 150 km a week you finish in well under a week. The full route can be ridden in a single day by a fit cyclist, which makes it a very achievable virtual goal even at a relaxed pace.
Start your Shimanami Kaidō Conquest
Joining is free. Connect Strava or Apple Health once and every ride, run or walk you record syncs automatically, moving you along the route without anything else to log.