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Between Hiroshima and Shikoku lie hundreds of islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The Shimanami Kaido links six of them with bridges, from Onomichi to Imabari. This loop drives you over the bridges to Matsuyama, with its castle and one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and brings you back to Hiroshima on the car ferry across the sea.
At a glance
- Start and finish
- Hiroshima
- Distance
- About 340 km, plus a car ferry of about 2 hours 40 minutes
- Days
- 5
- Driving per day
- Mostly 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Highlights
- Takehara, Onomichi, the Shimanami Kaido, Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen
- Best time
- March to May and October to November
The route day by day
The loop runs east along the coast to Onomichi, south over the Shimanami Kaido to Shikoku and back across the Inland Sea by ferry. Distances are by road; the times are driving time without stops. The map shows the route, the ferry and the numbered stops.
Day 1: Hiroshima to Onomichi via Kure and Takehara
About 105 km and 2 hours along the coast. In Kure (1), the Yamato Museum has a 1:10 model of the battleship Yamato, built here, and across the road you can climb aboard a real submarine. Continue to Takehara (2), whose Edo-period merchant streets and sake breweries are among the best preserved in the region. End the day in Onomichi (3), a hillside port town with a temple walk above the strait.
Day 2: The Shimanami Kaido to Matsuyama
About 135 km and 2.5 hours, island by island. The Shimanami Kaido is an expressway that hops across six islands to Imabari on Shikoku; you can leave it on each island. On Ikuchijima, Kosan-ji (4) is a colourful temple complex with a hill of white marble behind it. On Omishima, Oyamazumi Shrine (5) has guarded sailors and samurai for centuries. On Oshima, drive up to the Kirosan Observatory (6) for the view over the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge. On Shikoku, stop at Imabari Castle (7), whose moats are filled with sea water, and drive on to Matsuyama.
Day 3: Matsuyama
A day in the city, with the car parked. Matsuyama Castle (8), one of Japan's twelve original castle keeps, stands on a hill in the middle of the city; a ropeway goes up. In the evening, bathe at Dogo Onsen (9), one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, around a wooden bath house from 1894. Trams link the castle and the onsen.
Day 4: Uchiko
A day trip of about 45 minutes each way. Uchiko (10) grew rich on wax in the 19th century, and its old street of merchant houses has hardly changed. Uchiko-za, a wooden kabuki theatre from 1916, still holds performances. On the way back, follow the coast road past Shimonada station, a small station right above the sea, for the sunset.
Day 5: The car ferry back to Hiroshima
About 2 hours 40 minutes across the Inland Sea. Drive to Matsuyama Kanko Port, a short drive from the centre, and take the car ferry to Hiroshima Port. The ferry sails between the islands, with a stop at Kure on some crossings. From Hiroshima Port it is a few minutes into the city.
Car hire for this road trip
Pick up the car in Hiroshima and return it there at the end of the loop. You take the same car back across the Inland Sea on the ferry from Matsuyama. Car hire in Hiroshima has the other pick-up points and more about driving there.
Car hire prices in Hiroshima
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima city | €548 | €679 | €822 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026. About this price
Included in the price
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year, plus an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Licences from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland and Taiwan need an official Japanese translation instead.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name. The desk holds the deposit on it.
- Deposit
- Up to about €284 (50,000 yen), depending on the car.
- Driver age
- 18 or older. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Driving on the Shimanami Kaido
The rules for all of Japan are under Driving in Japan. On this route, these are the things to know.
Tolls on the bridges
The Shimanami Kaido is a toll expressway. Ask for an ETC card at the desk: you drive through the purple ETC lanes without stopping, and the tolls are settled when you return the car. Visitors from abroad can also buy the San'in-Setouchi-Shikoku Expressway Pass, a flat-rate pass for unlimited expressway driving in this region for a set number of days.
The car ferry from Matsuyama
Hire cars may go on the ferry; the rental conditions permit ferry crossings. The cruise ferry between Matsuyama and Hiroshima runs several times a day; you pay the fare for the car and its passengers at the port. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes before departure. The fast Super Jet carries passengers only.
Cyclists
The Shimanami Kaido is also one of Japan's best-known cycling routes. On the islands, local roads are shared with many cyclists, especially on weekends; give them room.
Best time for the Shimanami Kaido
Spring, from March to May, and autumn, in October and November, are mild and clear. The rainy season runs from June into July, summer is hot and humid, and typhoons can disrupt ferries in late summer. Winter is mild on the coast.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire cost for the Shimanami Kaido road trip?
Car hire in Hiroshima starts at €548 a week for a small car, €679 for a mid-size car and €822 for a large car or SUV, fully insured with everything included. You pick up and return the car in Hiroshima. Updated 12 November 2026.
Do I need a credit card?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name. The desk holds a deposit on it: up to about €284 (50,000 yen), depending on the car.
How long is the Shimanami Kaido road trip?
About 340 km from Hiroshima and back, plus the car ferry from Matsuyama to Hiroshima of about 2 hours 40 minutes. Plan 5 days.
Can I drive the Shimanami Kaido in a hire car?
Yes. It is a toll expressway from Onomichi to Imabari on Shikoku, and you can leave it on each island to explore.
Can I take the hire car on the ferry from Matsuyama to Hiroshima?
Yes. The rental conditions permit ferry crossings. The cruise ferry carries cars; the fast Super Jet does not.