Shimanami Kaido Driving Guide: Onomichi to Imabari Island by Island, with Map

The Shimanami Kaido area links Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari in Ehime Prefecture by bridges across six islands: Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima. The Nishiseto Expressway (the Shimanami Kaido) runs 59.4 km from Nishiseto-Onomichi IC to Imabari IC, and you can leave it at an interchange on each island and stop. This page sets out a one-day route from Onomichi to Imabari through the islands, and lists the roads and places to stop.

Map of the Shimanami Kaido area

The line on the map is the route described below under "First visit: one day from Onomichi to Imabari through the islands". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Hover over or tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Onomichi to Imabari through the islands

Start at Senkoji Park in Onomichi and join the Shimanami Kaido at Nishiseto-Onomichi IC. Stop at Shiratakiyama on Innoshima, Kosanji Temple and Setoda Sunset Beach on Ikuchijima, Michi-no-Eki Tatara Shimanami Park and Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima, Michi-no-Eki Hakata S-C Park on Hakatajima, and Kameroyama Observation Park on Oshima, then finish at the Kurushima-Kaikyo Observatory in Imabari. It is about 108 km and about 2 hours 20 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and do not include traffic.

You pay a toll for each section you drive. For the whole expressway, a standard car pays ¥2,950 with ETC on weekdays, ¥2,310 with ETC on weekends and public holidays, or ¥4,920 in cash. There are no ETC-only toll gates on the Shimanami Kaido, and you can also pay by credit card.

Interchanges only work in one direction

Interchanges with "Kita" (north) in the name, such as Innoshima-Kita, Ikuchijima-Kita and Oshima-Kita, only have an exit for cars coming from the Honshu side and an entrance for cars heading to the Honshu side. Interchanges with "Minami" (south) in the name only have an exit for cars coming from the Shikoku side and an entrance for cars heading to the Shikoku side. If you want to stop on an island while driving from Onomichi to Imabari, leave at a Kita interchange and rejoin at a Minami interchange.

For the sunset, go to Setoda Sunset Beach on Ikuchijima

Setoda Sunset Beach on Ikuchijima is one of the best sunset spots on the Seto Inland Sea. The car park has 400 spaces, is free, and is open from 9:00 to 21:00. On 31 October the sun sets at 17:18 in both Hiroshima and Matsuyama.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

The numbers are the numbers on the map.

Roadside stations

From 12 January to 14 March 2027 the three roadside stations open for shorter hours and close one day a week (Tatara on Thursdays, Hakata on Tuesdays, Yoshiumi on Wednesdays).

Best seasons and crowds

Crowds and cautions

• During Golden Week, the Obon holidays, Silver Week, the New Year holidays and three-day weekends, the Honshu-Shikoku Expressway holiday discount cannot be used. The remaining excluded dates are 21–23 November, 26–27 December, 1–3 January 2027, 9–11 January, and 20–22 March.
• The car park at Senkoji Park can be full in the holiday season.
• When strong wind is forecast, the expressway company closes the road early. Depending on the wind, cars may still be able to cross while motorcycles are closed out.

Closures and restrictions (as of 26 October)

• There are no closures on the Nishiseto Expressway.
• Between Omishima IC and Hakatajima IC the road is down to one alternating lane for bridge repairs, from 9:00 to 5:00 the next morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except public holidays) until 18 December.
• Fukuyama-Nishi IC on the Sanyo Expressway has its entrance and exit closed from 20:00 to 6:00 the next morning from the night of 4 November to the morning of 20 November. Use Onomichi IC or Fukuyama-Higashi IC.
• The first car park at Kameroyama Observation Park cannot be used until 10 January 2027 because of works.

Getting there and fuel

There are no petrol stations at the service areas and parking areas on the Shimanami Kaido. Fill up in the city of Onomichi or Imabari before you cross to the islands. The only fast charger for electric cars on the Shimanami Kaido is at Setoda PA.

If you don't have a car

Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. If you are picking up a car at the airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best one-day drive in the Shimanami Kaido area?

Start at Senkoji Park in Onomichi, stop at Shiratakiyama on Innoshima, Kosanji Temple and Setoda Sunset Beach on Ikuchijima, Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima, Hakatajima and Kameroyama on Oshima, and finish in Imabari. It is about 108 km and about 2 hours 20 minutes of driving.

How much is the toll on the Shimanami Kaido?

For the whole expressway, a standard car pays ¥2,950 with ETC on weekdays, ¥2,310 with ETC on weekends and public holidays, or ¥4,920 in cash. If you leave at an island, you pay for each section you drive.

Which interchange should I use to stop on an island?

Driving from Onomichi to Imabari, leave at an interchange with "Kita" in the name and rejoin at one with "Minami" in the name. Kita interchanges let cars coming from the Honshu side leave, and Minami interchanges let cars heading to the Shikoku side join.

Can I drive on windy days?

When strong wind is forecast, the expressway company closes the road early. Sometimes motorcycles are closed out first.

Can I buy petrol on the islands?

There are no petrol stations at the service areas and parking areas on the Shimanami Kaido. Fill up in the city of Onomichi or Imabari before you cross to the islands.

Nearby areas and guides

• Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
• Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return