The 12 Best Hotels & Inns in Ehime & Hiroshima for a Great Girls Cycling Trip on the Nishi Seto Expressway!

Recently, I've been lacking exercise for days, and I'm feeling nauseous. I want to open my mind and body to the fullest...! !

Then, Ehime "Imabari City"HiroshimaLet's go on a journey to run the "Shimanami Kaido" with a total length of about 70 km that straddles "Onomichi City"! Cycling, which allows you to run around the wide clear waters of the Seto Inland Sea while enjoying sightseeing in the surrounding area, is perfect for active girls' trips where you want to move your body to the fullest. In the case of Imabari City, it is surprisingly easy to get to Matsuyama Airport, in the case of Onomichi City, to Hiroshima Airport, and from Haneda Airport in about 1 hour and 30 minutes by plane.

The Shimanami Kaido is a route with large elevation differences, but guidance lines and signboards called "blue lines" and gently sloping "approach roads" are maintained, so even beginners can run the whole course with peace of mind. As for bicycles, there are plenty of services suitable for cycling, such as the public "Shimanami Rental Cycle", private services, and a bicycle drop-off system.

You can start from either "Imabari" on the Shikoku side or "Onomichi" on the Hiroshima side! Plan with your friends where to start, whether you want to run all the way, whether you want to use a bus or ferry for cycling, and whether there are sightseeing spots you want to visit. There are many convenient services such as the same-day luggage delivery service "Shimanami Tebura Cycling", so let's use as many services as possible and lighten your body and run♪

This time, we will introduce recommended hotels in three areas: Imabari, Omishima, the middle point of the Shimanami Kaido, and Onomichi. I also paid attention to what to do with the bicycle when staying, so please refer to it when choosing an inn.

Imabari City in Ehime is the gateway to the Shikoku side of the Shimanami Kaido. There are also tourist attractions such as Imabari Castle and Kirosan Observation Park, so we recommend booking a hotel in Imabari and sightseeing before or after cycling. It's also known as the production area for the famous Imabari towels and mandarin oranges, so it's a good idea to buy some souvenirs to remember your girls' trip.

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We recommend starting from the Imabari side of the Shimanami Kaido. The reason is, first of all, it is possible to overcome the biggest obstacles "Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge" and "Oshima" in the early stages when you have the physical strength. Also, the number of ferries to Onomichi is stable, so even if you have to retire on the way, you don't have to worry. There is also a Giant Store inside JR Imabari Station, and a public rental cycle is just a 1-minute walk away, making it very convenient.

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.cyclonoie.com/)

"Cyclo House", which is about a 1-minute walk from JR "Imabari Station", is Japan's first guest house specializing in bicycle trips. This inn not only has ample facilities such as a lockable indoor bicycle parking lot and laundry, but it is also a charming inn where you can interact with cyclists from all over the world. Why don't you get used to it?

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.cyclonoie.com/)

The rooms are basically dormitories, but there is also a female-only room, so you can rest assured. If you are a group of up to 4 people, you can rent the entire room, so you can enjoy chatting with your friends. Lights out time is 23:00, so go to bed early in preparation for the next day.

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.cyclonoie.com/)

In the common room where guests naturally gather, it is often said that everyone brings food together and it becomes like a banquet. As a "traveler's crossroads", the real pleasure of a guest house is being able to talk and exchange information with various people. If you can reunite with the people you met at your inn on the Shimanami Kaido, it will surely be an unforgettable memory of your trip.

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.cyclonoie.com/)

At the cafe space at the entrance of the inn, you can also drink citrus drinks grown in your own farm. If you have it when you arrive, your fatigue will be blown away. Maps and guidebooks are also on sale, so check them out. A map that can be spread out is surprisingly easier to see than a smartphone screen.

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.namitominato.com/)

"Namito Minato" is about 20 to 40 minutes by route bus from JR "Imabari Station". In addition to bicycle parking and laundry facilities, Sunrise Itoyama, which is the base for bicycle trips, is about 15 minutes away by bus and on foot, making it an excellent location. The inn, which was renovated from a former ferry terminal, is perfect for enjoying the atmosphere of the seaside. Take a deep breath and enjoy the leisurely flow of time to your heart's content.

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.namitominato.com/)

There are a total of 4 rooms with a natural and bright impression. You can stay as a dormitory, or you can rent out the whole room with a group. The wooden bed, which is handmade by craftsmen, has a warm feeling, so you can relax and take a rest. Good quality sleep is essential for energy charge! Get some rest before cycling the next day.

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.namitominato.com/)

On the first floor of the building, there is a “Cyclo Cafe” that also serves as a conversation space. Sit down on the sofa and spend a relaxing time in a stylish space where light shines in. It's a cafe where bike lovers gather, so it's a great chance to ask for recommended points along the way. Travelers who have the same purpose can easily open up to each other, and it might be exciting until the night ♡

Image provided by NPO Cyclotourism Shimanami (http://www.namitominato.com/)

Right in front of the building is the Seto Inland Sea. From the window of every room, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the islands. If you listen carefully to the sound of the waves and think about your cycling trip, you will naturally get excited. We recommend visiting at dusk when the sea turns orange. If you take a walk around the inn with your friends before dinner, it will be the best memory♫

"Keoh Hotel" is about 20 minutes by car from JR "Imabari Station". This is a 17-room hotel with a very cute Provence-style building. The patio, which is decorated with bright flowers, is great for taking pictures, so you can take photos with your friends for a while.

For a girls' trip, we recommend the Guest Room, which can accommodate up to 3 people. It is full of amenities that girls will love, such as fluffy Imabari towels and bath goods from L'Occitane. In addition, you can get a good night's sleep on the high-quality beds made by Sealy, which focuses on the quality of sleep, so you can be well prepared for your bicycle trip. If you want to heal your body after cycling, there are rooms with onsen.

Stay at a stylish hotel. Enjoy a heart-melting authentic French dinner with friends. The dishes made with fresh Setouchi seafood and local vegetables are so exquisite that you can't help but cry. Cycling, which is an aerobic exercise, burns more calories than you might think. Fill your stomach and heart and nourish your spirit.

Breakfast is important for a bicycle trip that uses physical strength! The breakfast that you can choose from Japanese or Western is a talented group that was also selected for the "Rakuten Breakfast Festival". The Western breakfast here is full of items from the morning, such as "citrus juice" that can be squeezed in front of you and freshly made "original roast ham". Let's wake up and leave in good spirits!

Imabari Kokusai Hotel is located about 10 minutes on foot from JR Imabari Station. "Imabari Castle" is also within walking distance, making it convenient for city sightseeing before or after cycling. You can also bring your bicycle into the guest room, so security is also safe. The chic and calm guest rooms are large enough to accommodate a bicycle. Stretch out your limbs and be healed to your heart's content.

There are plenty of Japanese, Western, and Chinese restaurants to choose from. The menu and the atmosphere of the restaurant vary, so if you don't decide in advance what you want to eat with your friends, you might get lost. After dinner, we recommend dessert time at the top floor "Lounge 23". A girls-only gathering while gazing at the night view of the Seto Inland Sea is sure to be a blast!

When choosing a hotel for a cycling trip, the most important point is whether or not you can heal your tired body. This hotel also has a large public bath where you can fully relax your body in an open-air bath that uses natural onsen. Fun bath time to look back on the day's events with friends ♫ Muscle pain after a long time is also a great medal for a bicycle trip.

If you are staying in a group of 10 or more people, you can use the bicycle parking lot in the hotel basement (advance contact required). During cycling, dust and gravel get dirty more than you think. In order to start the next day comfortably, let's wipe it clean with a wet bicycle sheet. It's a good idea to check the tire pressure and whether the lights are on.

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The Shimanami Kaido runs through six islands in beautiful sea and mountain scenery. Omishima, an intermediate point, is convenient for accommodation. Lie down on the beach with a tropical atmosphere or on the grassy square and enjoy the leisurely flow of time. The Oyamazumi Shrine enshrined on the island is also a must-see. Since ancient times, armor and weapons have been dedicated to the shrine, so the adjoining "Treasure Museum" is full of national treasure-class items. It is an irresistible spot for history lovers.

There are several public rental bicycles along the Shimanami Kaido. Among them, the roadside station Tatara Shimanami-en on Omishima Island, Ikuchijima Island, and the Setoda Town Tourist Information Center are most convenient. For example, if you rent a bicycle in Imabari and return it at Omishima, you can return to Imabari by bus. If you take a ferry from Onomichi to Ikuchi Island and rent a bicycle, you can cycle to Imabari and Onomichi in one day.

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“ryokan Sawaki” is ryokan located on the west side of Omishima. "Oyamazumi Shrine" and "Omishima Museum of Art" are also within walking distance, so you can leave your bicycle at the inn and take a short walk. You should be able to relax in the idyllic atmosphere. When you go to the beach, you can see the sun setting behind the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea. I'm happy to have friends with whom I can share my excitement.

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The guest rooms are spacious and offer a relaxing atmosphere. Even if your body is tired from pedaling all day long, you will immediately feel soothed by lying on the tatami mats with the soothing scent of rush. If you wash off your sweat and fatigue in the bath and change into a yukata, you'll feel like you're on a school trip.

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Dinner is a Japanese kaiseki meal where you can fully enjoy the seafood of the Seto Inland Sea. Kurushima sea bream, which has been toned by the torrents of the strait, and high-quality fish called phantom fish, such as black sardines and koze, are delicious. It's the perfect way to reward yourself for making it this far. Feel happy with your friends.

I-LINK HOSTEL & CAFÉ SHIMANAMI is located right next to the Tatara Bridge on Omishima Island. The floors inside the building are completely flat so that even women can easily move around on their bicycles. The interior, with its vivid colors such as yellow and blue, will brighten your mood.

There are three types of guest rooms: "single", "twin" and "dormitory". For a girls' trip, we recommend this "private room bunk bed" type with a curtain partition. You can bring your own bicycle and hang it on the wall, so you can take cool photos that look good on social media.

Even if you are staying in a "dormitory" where you cannot bring your bicycle into the room, there is a covered bicycle parking lot, so there is no need to worry. Since it is a spacious space, it is easy to perform inspections and maintenance before departure. When you leave the inn, you will be excited to see what kind of scenery you will see next.

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"Omishima Ikoi-no-ie" is located in the southwestern part of Omishima, a little off the Shimanami Kaido main line. The route to the inn is a relaxing route along the sea, perfect for cooling down. The inn, which was renovated from a former elementary school, has a very nostalgic atmosphere. You'll feel like you're back in your school days and have fun with your friends. Another attractive feature is the bath with a view of the Seto Inland Sea right in front of you. After a day of cycling, you can relax and soothe your thighs and calves in the ocean-view bath.

A room that can accommodate up to 4 people with a sofa bed. Although it is stylish and equipped with the latest equipment, it somehow feels like a nostalgic school. You may feel somewhat nostalgic, and memories of your school days will come to mind one after another. Perfect for a girls' trip where you can't stop talking! It is sure to make you smile.

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At the adjoining museum, the works of sculptor Ken Iwata are exhibited in a semi-outdoor space. Relax and be healed in the art world. It is also nice to spend time on the private beach that spreads out in front of the inn. If you go barefoot and soak your feet in the shallow water, you should feel your fatigue disappear. Open your mind and body to nature as far as the eye can see.

Wakka is about 10 minutes by bicycle from Omishima's Tatara Bridge. We also have a full range of support for sudden troubles, such as rental bicycle return agency and dedicated taxis. It's a great ally for women-only bicycle trips. There are plenty of day tours that add color to girls' trips, such as a cruise to Okunoshima, the rabbit island, and kayaking. It's going to be a trip you'll remember for the rest of your life♫

There are three types of guest rooms: cottages, dormitories, and dome tents. If you're a girls' trip, how about staying in this cottage with a natural atmosphere? Stretch out on the ocean view deck. Relax your body for the next day. "Imabari Towel" in the guest room amenity has the best fluffy texture! You might want to buy one as a souvenir.

For dinner, enjoy a BBQ on the deck of the cottage. Local meat, seafood, and vegetables are grilled in a grand manner. You'll feel the nutrients seeping into your entire body after a long day of cycling. As an option, be sure to try wild game (wild boar meat) from Omishima! You'll be surprised at how mild the flavor is. Enjoy the BBQ in an open-air atmosphere and you'll get hooked on the outdoors ♡ (Only in summer. Bouillabaisse in winter)

This is a very comfortable cafe with a deck where you can feel the refreshing sea breeze. In fact, you can also enjoy coffee brewed by one of Japan's top three baristas. Take a break with a cup of coffee while being soothed by the superb view before setting off for cycling. I feel like I can work hard with my friends and step on the pedal today ♫

ryokan Chaume is ryokan in Omishima that takes pride in its cuisine. As it is located on the pilgrimage route to Oyamazumi Shrine, lanterns are lit up in the surrounding area at dusk. After checking in and taking a breather, why not head out onto the warmly lit streets with your friends? The townscape will soothe your soul, as if you have traveled back in time, and you'll surely forget all the fatigue from cycling here. Many cyclists stay at this inn, which also has a covered bicycle parking area, bicycle stands, and inspection tools.

The Japanese-style rooms have a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, and you can relax without feeling overwhelmed. Some rooms have baths, but the best way to soothe your tired body is to soak in a large bathtub. We recommend relaxing at the affiliated hot spring facility Mare Grecia, which is about 5 minutes away by bicycle. Watching the sunset with friends from the open-air bath is sure to be the highlight of your trip.

After washing off your sweat in the bath, it's time for the long-awaited dinner. meal that allow you to fully enjoy the seafood of the Seto Inland Sea, such as flatfish and sea bream, will make you drool just by looking at them. Among them, the fried chicken of "Okoze" is exquisite. Despite its slightly grotesque appearance, it has an elegant taste that will remain in your memory. It looks like it will be a dinner time full of smiles with friends ♫

Onomichi City is the gateway to Hiroshima on the Shimanami Kaido. Surrounded by mountains and the Seto Inland Sea, it has a warm climate and is also famous as the birthplace of ``hassaku'' and ``domestic lemon.'' The town has many buildings with a retro atmosphere that were loved by literary figures and artists, and has also been the setting for many movies and dramas. It is also filled with the charm of local gourmet dishes such as "Onomichi Ramen" and "Onomichi Yaki". Why not take a leisurely walk around town before or after cycling?

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Public rental bicycles are located at Onomichi Port, about a 5-minute walk from JR Onomichi Station. You can also rent bicycles that can be dropped off in Imabari at the "Giant Store" located on the first floor of Onomichi Station and the commercial facility "ONOMICHI U2". Before setting off on your cycling trip, it might be a good idea to run lightly through the streets of Onomichi to get your body used to it.

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“m3HOSTEL” is located on the 2nd floor of the JR “Onomichi Station” station building, making it extremely accessible. Ideal for a stress-free stay before or after cycling. The name of the inn, "m3", is a unit of volume, derived from the stylish construction that makes use of the vertical space. Taking advantage of the location in front of the station where there are plenty of shops and restaurants, it seems that you will be well prepared for your bicycle trip.

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Guest rooms can be selected from dormitory type or private room type. If you want to take a good rest in preparation for your bicycle trip, we recommend this “private room” where the scent of wood will soothe you. Also, the reddish-brown point color is a color scheme inspired by "iron" such as railroad tracks. The space is simple yet full of attention to detail, and you might find something fun to discover.

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This lounge is a space that guests can use freely 24 hours a day. It's perfect for doing some work or gathering information. Even if you're not a train enthusiast, you'll find yourself captivated by the sight of trains passing by through the large windows. The lounge is also very quiet thanks to its solid soundproofing. You can concentrate on making travel plans or chatting with friends.

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“Onomaru Shoten” on the 1st floor of the station building is a shop where you can get selected Onomichi goods. You should be able to find souvenirs from your cycling trip. Also, let's get Onomichi's new standard rice ball "Setouchimaki" sold in the store. It's shaped like a sushi roll, so you can easily eat it with one hand while cycling.

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“Setouchimaki” is a specialty of Shin-Onomichi, which is an arrangement of rice balls wrapped in seaweed, which was originally a fisherman’s meal. Onomaru Shoten sells several flavors, but we recommend the Onomichi Maki. The minced shrimp called 'Ebiko' has a chewy texture, and it's addictive♡ It's perfect for a light meal while cycling, so definitely give it a try.

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"HOTEL CYCLE" is about a 5-minute walk from JR "Onomichi Station". Inside the complex facility “ONOMICHI U2” where the hotel is located, there is also a “Giant Store” where you can rent high-quality bicycles. Staying at a stylish hotel in a refurbished old warehouse will get you in the mood for cycling.

You can even bring your own bicycle into the very stylish guest rooms. The interior, where natural materials such as wood shine everywhere, creates a calming atmosphere. First, enjoy the original coffee with your friends and take a break. The beds are equipped with high-quality mattresses made by Simmons. You'll be in a dream world in no time, and you're likely to get the best sleep of the year.

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"THE RESTAURANT" overlooking "Onomichi Channel" from the window. You can have breakfast at a restaurant with a stylish interior like overseas. The freshly baked bread lined up on the buffet table is a challenge to conquer all kinds! Riding a bike burns calories in no time, so don't be afraid of carbs today!

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Anyway, let's have dinner at the hotel. The charcoal-grilled Setouchi fresh seafood and meat have a fragrant aroma.They also have a wide selection of wines from all over the world, so how about pairing them with your meal? A little tipsy and looking back on the day's events with friends makes me feel happy.

Green Hill Hotel Onomichi is located about a 2-minute walk from JR Onomichi Station. From the guest rooms on the Onomichi Channel side, you can enjoy the ocean view from the windows. On the nights of weekends and holidays, the cranes on the opposite bank are lit up in five different colors♫The bright lights reflected on the surface of the water will enchant you. Watching it with friends is a natural way to relax.

When the sun goes down, how about relaxing at the in-house bar "Harbor Light"? Let's enjoy a cocktail with a refreshing acidity that uses citrus fruits from Setouchi. If you share a glass with your friends in an adult space, you might be able to have deep conversations that you wouldn't normally be able to talk about. While sharing the sense of accomplishment in the bicycle trip, friendship should be strengthened ♡

The breakfast buffet has a wide variety of both Japanese and Western dishes. You can enjoy plenty of Setouchi ingredients such as Hiroshima's specialty "Hana Sausage" and calcium-rich "Chirimen Jako". For an active girls' trip, get up a little earlier than usual. If you eat to your heart's content while soaking up the sunshine, you'll be able to fully recharge your energy.

How to reduce luggage on a bicycle trip is an important point. If your accommodation has laundry facilities, you only need to pack a minimal change of clothes. Even if you sweat a lot, you don't have to worry if you know that you can wash your clothes at the hotel where you are staying. You can move your body to your heart's content and open your mind and body.

How was it? If you feel like you're not getting enough exercise, invite your close friends and let's go on a cycling trip! After enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Shimanami Kaido, stay at a nice inn for the night. Your eyes and heart will be lighter, and you will be able to make the best memories♡