Return to Onomichi on the Shimanami Bike Path

October 9, 2024

Finally, after days of rain, we got the spectacular return trip on the Shimanami trail, and it was worth suffering rain for 2 days for it.

We awoke in our nice new hotel in Imabar with the sun streaming through the windows, a foretaste of a beautiful sunny day. We decided to forego the expensive over-the-top breakfast offered in the hotel, and rode a few blocks to a mom-and-pop coffee shop. As is often the case, it was an elder husband and wife holding their lifelong business together, and warmly welcomed us foreigners. Once again it was classic jazz playing overhead – Benny Goodman from 1938. We ordered the breakfast special which included some strong and very good coffee.

Before returning to the hotel, we took a little side trip to see the Imibari castle. We couldn’t wait for it to open at 9, but we did ride around it.

Returning to our hotel, we picked up our bags and packed everything. How nice to head out with no rain gear. The temps were in the mid-60s with a mild breeze. Pefect for ta day of cycling. We picked up the official blue striped cycle path right near our hotel and followed it without problem in the morning rush hour traffic to the ascending paths for the huge Kurushima Kaikyō Bridge , one of the world’s longest suspension bridges.

Kurushima Kaikyō Bridge 

Full of energy and in a good mood we headed onward. We no longer had to worry if we were on a good route or if we’d find food. Suddenly with the good weather, there were dozens of cyclists and it seemed like a coffee shop or restaurant every few miles. We stopped at a convenience store for more coffee and some yoghurt, and later, around 11:30, we stopped at a nice little restaurant for some beef curry.

As we neared the final island on our itinerary, we reasoned that it would be no benefit to arrive early, as you can seldom check in early. Alice asked for us to go to a high observation point, even if it wore out our batteries to climb the 258 meters to the top. So, we went for it.

With Alice’s battery exhausted, we took the downhill almost all the way to our lodge/apartment on the water. After doing laundry and resting, we headed out to a little neighborhood restaurant. Again, it was being run by a woman in her 70s with the interior looking as if it had not changed in 50 years. We could barely read the menu and, but Alice was able to deduce a couple of dishes that sounded good.

It was a successful day, so beautiful and rewarding. Tomorrow we catch the ferry across to the mainland and turn our bikes it. I’m very impressed with the comfort of these larger tired , heavy duty e-bikes.