Imabari, Ehime
Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges
The Setouchi Shimanami Kaido, bringing people and goods together
The Nishi-Seto Expressway, nicknamed the “Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido”, is a 60-km-long freeway that connects Onomichi City and Imabari City through the Geiyo Islands. The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges is located on the Shikoku side of the Shimanami Kaido, and is the collective name for three suspension bridges with a total length of 4.1 km that span the 4 km Kurushima Strait between Oshima and Imabari. Since its opening in May 1999, it has served as a connecting road between Honshu and Shikoku, supporting the exchange of people and goods. In addition, there are roads for motorized bicycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, which serve as everyday roads for the islands’ residents. Designated as a national cycle route in 2019, it has attracted attention from across the world as a “Mecca for cyclists”.
- A view of the Seto Inland Sea’s many islands from the 180-meter-high main tower
- The main tower supporting the suspension bridge is about 180 meters high. Use the elevator to go straight to the top.
From the top of the tower, you can see the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea’s many islands and the coming and going of ships.
It provides a 360-degree panoramic view that changes in various ways depending on the season and the weather.
Courtesy of Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited
- A graceful triple suspension bridge in harmony with the landscape
- Box girders extending out to sea, six main towers facing the sky, and a continuous curved cable.
Located in the Seto Inland Sea National Park, the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges was designed with scenery in mind, blending in with the natural environment.
Try taking a look at the bridge from various points to see how it looks against the beautiful landscape.
Courtesy of Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited
- A “Mecca for cyclists” where you can ride across the sea
- The Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido is the only route between Honshu and Shikoku that can be traveled by bicycle. Enjoy an exhilarating ride on the dedicated cycle path attached to the bridge.
With a bicycle, you can stop on the bridge to enjoy the scenery and take pictures, giving you a full appreciation of what the Shimanami Kaido has to offer.
Courtesy of Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited
Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges
Facility information
| Name | Nishi-Seto Expressway (Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido) |
|---|---|
| Location | Imabari, Ehime |
| Bridge Name | Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges (Kurushima Kaikyo No. 1 Bridge, Kurushima Kaikyo No. 2 Bridge, Kurushima Kaikyo No. 3 Bridge) |
| Type | Suspension bridge |
| Bridge length | 4,105 m |
| Groundbreaking ceremony | May 15, 1988 |
| Start of service | May 1, 1999 |
| Management | Shimanami-Imabari Operation Center, Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited |
Wait!
There’s so much more!
All kinds of bicycles for rental
- The Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido is famous as a Mecca for cyclists. A wide variety of rental bicycles are available, so even beginners can easily enjoy the ride. In addition to hybrid bicycles, the selection available includes city bicycles, electric-assist bicycles, tandems, and bicycles for children. Have a go at cycling as you take in the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea!
For more information, see: https://shimanami-cycle.or.jp/go-shimanami/
Something a little different! Imabari’s specialty foods
- When in Imabari, be sure to try some of the local specialties! Imabari yakitori, grilled on an iron plate rather than over charcoal, is very popular for its crunchy but succulent texture. Rice topped with pork and a fried egg is becoming increasingly popular as a cheap and cheerful local dish.
Guide to the area and sightseeing
The area around the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges features many sightseeing spots typical of the Seto Inland Sea.
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Certified Japan Heritage: the Murakami Kaizoku
The Geiyo Islands, along which the Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido runs, were once home to the Murakami Kaizoku, who were known as Japan’s greatest Kaizoku. Rather than stealing, the Murakami Kaizoku were engaged in protection. What they helped to protect were the ships traveling the area, the faith inherited from their ancestors, a peaceful and irreplaceable way of life, the elegant culture of the feudal lords, and above all, the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. Noshima Island, located off the coast of Miyakubo on Oshima Island, is the former site of the Noshima Murakami clan’s castle, and has been designated as a national historic site. At the Murakami Kaizoku Museum, you can learn more about this certified piece of Japan Heritage. Why not follow in the footsteps of the Murakami Kaizoku as you tour the Shimanami Kaido?
Contact
- Cultural Promotion Division, Board of Education Office, Imabari City
- TEL: 0898-36-1608
- http://murakami-kaizoku.com/
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Tatara Shimanami Park
Located just off the Omishima Interchange, Tatara Shimanami Park is a refreshing park enveloped in pleasant sea breezes and the sound of the ocean. It is popular as a place to view the Tatara Bridge, one of the world’s largest cable-stayed bridges, and the bracing scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. Enjoy dishes using fresh seafood and farm produce at the restaurant and local specialty center or buy fresh vegetables, citrus fruits, and marine products direct from the producers at the Kamiura farmer’s market.
Contact
- Tatara Shimanami Park
- Address: 9180-2 Kamiurachoinokuchi, Imabari, Ehime
- TEL: 0897-87-3866
- http://www.imabari-shimanami.jp/tatara/
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Oyamazumi Shrine
This shrine lies on Omishima Island, one of the main islands of the Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido. Oyamazumi Shrine is dedicated to Oyamazumi no Okami, the god of the founding of Japan, and serves as the headquarters for more than 10,000 Yamazumi and Mishima shrines throughout the country. Within the precincts is a sacred camphor tree about 2,600 years old, while both the main shrine and hall of worship have been designated as national important cultural properties. As well as being the god of the mountains and the sea, Oyamazumi no Okami is also revered by military commanders. Many swords and pieces of armor have been given as offerings to the shrine, and numerous important cultural assets, including national treasures, are stored and displayed in the treasure hall.
Contact
- Oyamazumi Shrine
- Address: 3327 Omishimachomiyaura, Imabari, Ehime
- TEL: 0897-82-0032
- https://oomishimagu.jp/
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Kirosan Observatory
At an elevation of 307.8 meters, this observatory offers the best view of the Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido. The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges can be seen directly below. The observatory also commands a panoramic view of the townscape of Imabari, mountains on the Takanawa Peninsula, and to the east, Mt. Ishizuchi and the rest of the Shikoku Mountains can be seen over the calm waters of the Hiuchi-nada basin. The sunset from the Panorama Observatory Bridge, the illuminated Kurushima Kaikyo Bridges, and the night view of Imabari City are all must-sees. It has the best view of the whole Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido.
Contact
- Yoshiumi Branch Office, Imabari City
- TEL: 0897-84-2111
- https://www.city.imabari.ehime.jp/kanko/spot/
Access
- For those arriving by air:
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Imabari can be reached by bus or train connections from Matsuyama Airport and Hiroshima Airport. From Matsuyama Airport, there is also a limousine bus (by reservation only) that goes directly to Imabari.
- Matsuyama Airport > Airport Limousine Bus/Iyotetsu Bus (20 minutes) > JR Matsuyama Station > JR Yosan Line (35 minutes by limited express) > Imabari
- Matsuyama Airport > Izumi Kanko Limousine Bus (1 hour, 25 minutes) > Imabari
- Hiroshima Airport > Fukuyama Limousine Bus (1 hour, 5 minutes) > JR Fukuyama Station > Shimanami Liner (1 hour, 25 minutes) > Imabari
- For those arriving by train:
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If using the Shinkansen, Okayama Station is the starting point for entering Shikoku. There is a direct connection to the Shinkansen and a direct limited express train service to JR Imabari Station. The transfer takes place inside Okayama Station, making it a convenient way to travel with relatively little walking required.
- Sanyo Shinkansen Okayama Station/transfer to JR conventional lines (for Shikoku) > JR Seto-Ohashi Line/JR Yosan Line (limited express 2 hours, 30 minutes) > Imabari
- For those arriving by car:
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If you are driving, there are currently three routes into Shikoku. It has become very convenient with the completion of the Honshu–Shikoku Bridge Project and the opening of the expressways. Traveling by car also makes it easy to visit each spot on your trip efficiently.
- Onomichi–Imabari route (using the Setouchi-Shimanami Kaido / Nishi-Seto Expressway)
- Kojima–Sakaide route (using the Seto-Ohashi Bridge / Seto-Chuo Expressway)
- Kobe–Naruto route (using the Kobe–Awaji–Naruto Expressway)
For more information, see: http://www.oideya.gr.jp/accessibility/area.htm
Contact
- Shimanami-Imabari Operation Center, Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited
- 751-2 Yamaji, Imabari, Ehime 794-0072
- TEL: 0898-23-7250
- For more information about tours and their itineraries, see:
- https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/customer_index/kanko_event/infra/
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