Shimanami Kaido Packing List: What to Bring, What to Skip

Introduction

If you’re planning on cycling the Shimanami Kaido, then first of all: excellent choice. And secondly, planning what to pack is just as important as planning the route itself. I’ve put together a Shimanami Kaido Packing List to help make sure you cover the basics, but leave the dead weight behind.

The cycle route itself is about 70km, but you can expect to cycle about 80-85km when you consider things like getting to accommodation, going into towns, getting lost, and so on. Everything you bring is going to be on your back for every one of those kilometres, so keeping it as light as possible will make the whole experience more enjoyable. I’ve written a guide on luggage forwarding here, and I can’t recommend Japan’s takuhaibin service enough.

I’ve split the packing list into two sections, depending on whether you’re doing the route over one day (and I give you both my respect and bafflement if so), or on overnight trips.

I’ve included a printable packing list for each section, with minimal text so you can have it to hand when you’re packing. I’ve also linked a few items – while these are affiliate links (more on my policy here), they’re all things that I personally use and recommend, and you can obviously shop around for what suits you best!

Jump to whichever section is most relevant to you, and happy cycling!

For Single Day Cycles

For a single day trip, it’s all about efficiency and speed. It’s a long distance to cover in a single day, even if you start early, so you want to be sure you’re packing as lightly as possible.

Dress in layers, and bring a waterproof jacket. You’re cycling along the inland sea, so the weather can be changeable.

For snacks, there’s a ton of convenience stores along the route, so you don’t need to go overboard. You’ll likely want to stop and take a break anyway, and you can get what you need as you go. Likewise with water, there are places to refill your water bottle or you can buy another bottle, so bringing one 500ml reusable bottle is likely enough.

If you’re a fellow vegan traveller, I’ve written a separate guide to your food strategy here.

Read on for the single day version of the Shimanami Kaido Packing List, or download a skimmable, print-friendly version by entering your email.

Clothing

• Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
• Padded cycling shorts
• Sunglasses
• A cap or bandana to wear under the helmet if you’re sun sensitive

Tech and Gear

• Phone Mount
• Battery bank (fully charged)
• Phone cable – I use one like this
• Camera and SD card/batteries
• A small, sealable pouch or a Ziploc bag to keep things dry

Additional

• Water Bottle – I swear by my Chilly’s bottle
• Cash
• Sunscreen
• Minimal snacks – a pack of nuts or a protein bar will do, you can buy more on the way
• ID and any essential info for emergencies

What to Skip on a Day Trip

• Change of clothes (unless planning to swim)
• Heavy first aid
• Bulky camera gear (unless you want/need to)
• Large shoulder or cross body bags – they can chafe, and the unevenly distributed weight can make for a very uncomfortable ride.
• Bike pump. If you feel more comfortable with one, then great, but be mindful that it may not fit the pump of your rental bike. There are plenty of stops around the route to pump up your tires, and help is available if you get stuck too.

For Overnight Trips

For overnight trips, you’ll need to bring a little bit more, and how much depends on what you plan on doing. If you’re planning on stopping overnight on one of the islands and heading out to dinner, you may want to consider bringing a nice outfit or some different shoes that you could wear out to a restaurant or around the town.

You can also skip some of the “essentials” depending on where your comfort level is. On my own trip, we booked an Airbnb that had a washer/dryer, so we washed all of our Day 1 clothes and had them clean and dry to re-wear on Day 2. We’d also decided to cook in the Airbnb for dinner, so I skipped the dress and shoes I would have brought otherwise.

The other thing to consider for overnights is whether you’ll be using luggage forwarding. If so, there are certain things that you can’t bring like laptops and valuables, so they’re going to need to come with you. If that applies to you, I can’t emphasise enough how much you’ll thank yourself for keeping everything else as light as possible.

Read on for the overnight trip version of the Shimanami Kaido Packing List, or download a skimmable, print-friendly version by entering your email.

Clothing

• Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
• Padded cycling shorts
• Sunglasses
• A cap or bandana to wear under the helmet if you’re sun sensitive
• Layered shirts – think vest, with a tshirt on top, or moisture wicking cycling jerseys
• Socks – a pair for each day you’re cycling, and another clean pair to wear off the bike for dinner etc
• Underwear – apply the same rule as socks
• Off bike outfit and shoes – keep these as minimal as you can. Think lightweight dresses, shorts, pants, a pair of sandals. Whatever is smallest and easiest to fit in the backpack.

Tech and Gear

• Phone Mount
• Battery bank (fully charged)
• Phone cable – I use one like this
• Camera and SD card/batteries
• A small, sealable pouch or a Ziploc bag to keep things dry
• Small quick dry towel – optional, but useful if you stay in a basic hostel or want to wash up somewhere. I use this one.

Additional

• Water Bottle – I swear by my Chilly’s bottle
• Cash
• Sunscreen
  • And aftersun if you’re likely to burn easily
• Mini toiletries kit:
  • Toothbrush (the ones you get free in hotels are my go-to!)
  • Small deodorant
  • Any essential medication
• Minimal snacks – a pack of nuts or a protein bar will do, you can buy more on the way
• ID and any essential info for emergencies

What to Skip

Realistically, unless you’re someone who does long cycles frequently, you’re going to be knackered after a day on the road. My husband cycles over two hours at least three times a week, and is far fitter than I am, and was still shattered at the end of our first day. Even if you have the best of intentions to go out for dinner and sightseeing once you get to your accommodation, consider whether you’re really likely to want to, or if you’re going to want some takeout and Netflix. If you’re in that camp, then you probably don’t need a change of shoes and an outfit for dinner.

Obviously, packing is subjective, but these are the things I’d say you really do not need on this cycle:

• Excessive toiletries and hair products. Most hotels and even Airbnbs provide good quality shampoo, conditioner, soap and often toothbrushes. Unless you have something you really need, you can get away with the bare minimum.
• Too much makeup. If you want a full beat across 80km, then more power to you (and tell me what setting spray you use pls), but personally, I knew that I’d look like a sweaty tomato even with the help of Charlotte Tilbury, so that stayed behind.
• Bulky electronics. You might not have a choice if you’re using luggage forwarding, but keep it as light as you can.
• Multiple pairs of off-bike shoes. Try to stick to one pair of lightweight sandals, or just wear the on-bike shoes if you can.
• Heavy denim or cotton clothing. Not only do they take longer to dry if they get sweaty or wet, they tend to be bulkier in your bag.
• Too much food. Every island has at least one convenience store, so keep snacks/food as light as possible. We packed a protein bar and an emergency pouch of Huel, and the rest of the time lived off of convenience store food.
• Bike pump. If you feel more comfortable with one, then great, but be mindful that it may not fit the pump of your rental bike. There are plenty of stops around the route to pump up your tires, and help is available if you get stuck too.

Tips to Keep it Light

Plan Your Activities

Are you planning on getting into your overnight stop early and going for dinner? Are you really likely to make that happen? And do you really need those shoes and that dress to wear? If the answer is no, leave it behind.

Same goes for anything that you can buy easily on the road. You don’t need to bring two litres of water with you, refilling a 500ml bottle is going to be much easier on your back.

It’s also worth considering where you’re staying. If it’s somewhere with a washer/dryer, you can do what we did and bring one outfit that you wash overnight. Similar goes for pyjamas – if you’re staying in a dorm in a hostel, please do not sleep in the nip, but if you’re staying in a private place, then you know what you’re comfortable with.

Learn From My Mistakes

The Backpack

Get a good backpack. Get whatever size fits your needs and your body best, but get a good one.

I did not do this. My daypack is one that zips onto my bigger, hold-luggage sized backpack. I’ve dragged that thing around five different countries in Asia and it’s seen better days. The foam in one of the straps has gotten so mangled from being hoisted up that it’s painful and uncomfortable on my shoulder when it’s heavy, and there’s no waist support.

Getting a backpack with a waist support, sturdy straps, and ideally some kind of padding against your back is going to make it so much easier to cycle a long distance with. Likewise if it’s sectioned on the inside so you can slot laptop/ipad etc into a sleeve, or with pockets to give you easy access to things like headphones, wallet etc.

Just get a good backpack.

Really consider “essentials” before your trip

If you’re using luggage forwarding for the Shimanami Kaido part of your trip, there’s some things you cannot send – laptops and other valuables are one of them. In my infinite wisdom, I decided to bring my Macbook to Japan. I used it once, because my iPad was charging. When it came to the Shimanami Kaido, I couldn’t forward it on in our checked luggage, so it had to come with us. My husband ended up taking it in his bag, because my backpack was terrible (see above). Modern day chivalry, honestly.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the Shimanami Kaido is about the journey, the views and the satisfaction of completing it. You’re going to be sweaty, you’re going to be tired, and there’s a chance you’re going to get wet – embrace it. Keep your packing as light as possible, and you’ll thank yourself for it.

Don’t worry too much about being perfectly prepared. You can read all the Shimanami Kaido packing lists you want, but you may still forget something – and that’s totally okay. The cycle route goes through small towns and more rural areas, but you’re never going to be that far from convenience stores or help if you need it.

Enjoy the freedom of being on the bike, and how proud you’ll feel at the end. Hopefully these packing lists are a help to you, and I hope you have an incredible journey!

This post is part of a series on the Shimanami Kaido.