How Long Does It Take to Ride the Shimanami Kaido by Scooter? Full Travel Time Guide
- Apr 14
- 6 min read
If you're planning to visit the Shimanami Kaido, one of the most common questions is:
“How long does it take by scooter?”
The short answer is simple:
Non-stop: about 3 hours
With sightseeing: 6–9 hours
Relaxed trip: 1–2 days
But the real answer depends on how you travel.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything clearly so you can plan your trip without stress.
How Long Does It Take to Ride the Shimanami Kaido? (Quick Answer)
Here is the clear breakdown:
Non-stop ride: ~3 hours
With sightseeing: 6–9 hours
Relaxed experience: 1–2 days recommended
The full route from Onomichi to Imabari is about 70 km (43 miles).
Yes, you can ride it in 3 hours. But almost nobody does.
Most travelers stop for:
scenic viewpoints
local food
photos
That’s why 6–9 hours is the realistic travel time.
Distance and Route Overview
The Shimanami Kaido connects several islands in this order:
Onomichi → Mukaishima → Innoshima → Ikuchijima → Omishima → Hakatajima → Oshima → Imabari
You don’t need to worry about navigation.
The route is marked with a Blue Line, a painted line on the road that guides cyclists and scooter riders.
✔ Easy to follow
✔ Designed for bikes and scooters
✔ Separate paths from cars on bridges
This makes it very accessible even for beginners.
50cc vs 125cc Scooter: Does It Change Travel Time?
Not much in terms of total time—but it changes your experience.
50cc Scooter
Max speed: 30 km/h
Easy to ride
Good for relaxed trips
125cc・Super Cub
More power
Easier on hills and bridges
Can carry 2 people
👉 Travel time is similar, but:
125cc = more comfort, less fatigue
If you plan to ride longer distances, 125cc is the better option.
Important:
To ride a 125cc scooter or a Super Cub in Japan, you must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) that includes Category A (motorcycles).
If your IDP does not include this category, you are only allowed to ride up to 50cc scooters.
How Far Can You Go in 6 or 9 Hours?
This is the most important part for planning.
■6-Hour Plan (Half Day)
From Onomichi → up to Ikuchijima
From Imabari → up to Omishima
👉 Turn around at the 3rd island
This is perfect if you:
have limited time
want a relaxed experience
Many of our customers like to enjoy a nice meal before starting their ride.
For example, you can have lunch in Onomichi or Imabari, then start your scooter trip feeling relaxed and ready.
By the time you reach the middle islands of the Shimanami Kaido, it’s usually the perfect time for a short break.
This is a great moment to enjoy local treats such as:
fresh lemonade
gelato and desserts
citrus-based sweets (a specialty of this area)
👉 For more local food spots and hidden gems, check our Instagram.
■9-Hour Plan (Full Day Trip)
From Onomichi → up to Omishima
From Imabari → up to Ikuchijima
👉 Reach the 4th island and return
This is the best balance between riding and sightseeing.
With a 9-hour plan, you can enjoy not only the ride but also a proper local lunch.
Especially on Ikuchijima and Omishima, there are many great local restaurants.
You’ll naturally arrive around lunchtime, making it easy to enjoy a memorable meal along the way.
Some popular local experiences include:
seafood tempura bowls topped with fresh catch
juicy handmade burgers made with locally sourced ingredients
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in a relaxed, scenic setting
There are many small, unique spots you won’t find in big cities—that’s part of what makes this journey special.
■Day Trip Reality
For most travelers:
👉 A one-day trip = exploring half of the Shimanami Kaido
Trying to do everything in one day often leads to rushing.
Can You Ride the Entire Route in One Day?
Yes, but here’s the truth:
👉 It will feel like a non-stop ride
very limited sightseeing
short photo stops
tight schedule
This is not ideal if you want to enjoy the experience.
Better Option: One-Way Ride (Highly Recommended)
Instead of going back, you can:
Start in Onomichi → finish in Imabari
Or the opposite direction
👉 This is called a one-way ride
Benefits:
No need to return
Saves time
You can still visit key spots
It’s slightly fast-paced, but much more enjoyable than a full round trip.
Which Travel Time Is Best for You?
Here’s a simple guide:
First time / relaxed trip → 6 hours
Balanced sightseeing → 9 hours
Challenge / full crossing → one-way ride
Best experience → 1–2 days
If you're unsure, start with 6–9 hours planning.
(Some model routes can help you visualize your trip more easily.)
What Affects Your Travel Time?
Travel time on the Shimanami Kaido can vary more than you expect.
Even if you plan carefully, most people end up taking longer than they thought.
Here’s why:
You’ll find more places to stop than you planned
The views are so beautiful that you’ll want to stay longer
The distance feels longer than it looks on the map
In fact, many of our customers tell us things like:
“We kept finding places we wanted to stop, and ran out of time.”
“It felt longer than expected, so we turned back halfway.”
“We thought we could finish it in one day, but only made it halfway.”
And one comment we hear very often:
“Next time, we want to start from the other side and finish the rest.”
That’s one of the unique things about the Shimanami Kaido—it’s not just a route you complete once.
It’s a place many people come back to, because there’s always more to explore.
Tips to Enjoy the Shimanami Kaido Efficiently
If you only have one day, here are some simple tips to help you make the most of your trip:
Choose 2–3 places you really want to visit
Plan your trip as a 6-hour or 9-hour route
Don’t try to complete the entire route in one day
Choose your starting point carefully
The starting point can completely change your experience.
◆Starting from the Hiroshima (Onomichi) side
You can enjoy a mix of local food and famous spots, such as:
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (“Inoko”)
Hassaku daifuku (local citrus dessert)
Scenic places like Hill of Hope (Miraishin no Oka)
👉 Great for: food + iconic sightseeing
◆Starting from the Shikoku (Imabari) side
You’ll experience some of the most impressive views on the route:
The famous Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge
Kirosan Observatory Park with panoramic ocean views
👉 Great for: landscapes + scenic highlights
◆A Flexible Way to Plan Your Route
If you use a rental service with multiple starting points (like Mukaishima or Imabari),you can choose a route that fits your schedule much better.
This makes it easier to:
avoid unnecessary backtracking
plan a one-way ride
enjoy the route without rushing
👉 The key idea is simple:
Don’t try to do everything — plan smart, and enjoy more.
Summry: Shimanami Kaido Travel Time
Distance: ~70 km
Non-stop: ~3 hours
With sightseeing: 6–9 hours
6 hours → reach 3rd island
9 hours → reach 4th island
Day trip → explore half
👉 The key idea:
It’s not about finishing the route — it’s about how you spend your time.
Planning Your Ride
If you’re not sure which route to take,starting with a 6-hour or 9-hour model course is a great way to plan your trip.
There are well-balanced routes available from both the Onomichi (Hiroshima) side and the Imabari (Shikoku) side,so you can choose what fits your schedule and travel style.
Once you have your date and starting point decided,moving on to booking is simple and smooth.
Make Your Trip Easier with a Rental Scooter
Using a rental scooter can make your trip much more efficient—and the ride itself becomes part of the experience.
With our rental service, you can:
Start from multiple locations such as Mukaishima or Imabari
Enjoy a one-way ride without returning to the starting point
Choose from a variety of options including 50cc, 125cc, and Super Cub
This flexibility helps you plan a route that fits your time without unnecessary backtracking.
Take Your Time, Enjoy More
One important tip:
👉 The more time you allow, the better your experience will be.
Trying to fit too much into one day often leads to comments like:“I wish we had more time to explore.”
From our experience, the best way to enjoy the Shimanami Kaido is a 1–2 day trip.
This allows you to go beyond the Blue Line and discover:
local neighborhoods
hidden viewpoints
quiet, less crowded spots
Take your time, plan smart, and enjoy the journey.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you experience the Shimanami Kaido in the best way possible.
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