The Seto Inland Sea located in western Japan is the country's largest inland sea. There is a road which runs across the inland sea and connects a chain of small islands. It is known as Shimanami Kaido. A 60 km long road which connects Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture in Honshu island and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku island has become a popular cycling route and gathers cyclists from all over Japan. In today's "journeys in japan", our reporter travels this road on his bicycle and introduces the Shimanami Kaido which allows you to take in the beautiful scenery while crossing the sea and islands in the inland sea.
The greatest appeal of the Shimanami Kaido is its scenic views. The bridges which you will cross when traveling from an island to island offer panoramic views of a calm sea and dotted islands, very characteristic of the Seto Inland Sea. Another attractive feature is a "side trip" which can only be enjoyed on a bicycle trip. Each of six main islands en route to the goal has unique characteristic and the local people are cheerful and friendly, offering hospitality to cyclists. At Ikuchijima Island, the leading lemon production site in Japan, our reporter quenches his thirst with a sip of two-year-old vintage lemon juice which can only be enjoyed at the farm. At Hakatajima Island, known for its shipbuilding industry, he observes a ship launching ceremony. Traveling on a bicycle allows you to make a casual side trip as if you are on foot, but it lets you go a little farther. Refreshing body and mind pleasantly, our reporter runs through smiling faces of local islands and beautiful landscapes.
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