In early October this year, I found myself sitting on a bike on top of a 4km long suspension bridge, nothing but water below me. I was soaking wet, my waterproof jacket having long given up on doing its job. My legs ached, one of my backpack straps was digging...

Cycling the Shimanami Kaido is an incredible experience, and it doesn't need to break the bank. In this post, I've broken down the Shimanami Kaido cost: from bike rentals to accommodation, and what you can expect from the journey. Every traveller's style will be slightly different, so while I've done...

Cycling the Shimanami Kaido is an awesome adventure, and it's best enjoyed at your pace, not rushed. While many people do cycle the whole route in a single day (and honestly kudos, my backside could never), doing a multi-day trip gives you the time to enjoy the islands, stop for...

Mukaishima Island Mukaishima is the closest island to Onomichi, and the first of the Shimanami Kaido islands after leaving Japan's main island of Honshu. There's a ferry available from Onomichi to Mukaishima, which allows bikes on board. A ticket, including bike passage, costs about ¥110. Many cyclists choose to take...

Introduction Planning a vegan Shimanami Kaido cycle? It's easier than you might think, but it does need some forward planning. In October, my husband and I visited Japan for the second time. He's a keen cyclist, but we weren't able to make the cycle happen last time round. We'd agreed...

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...