The Yumeshima Kaido Cycling Course; cycling across islands by taking a ferry

 

This time cycling trip is the Yumeshima Kaido!

 

Yumeshima Kaido cycling course is located on the east side of the Shimanami Kaido cycling course.

This road connects four small islands, Iwagijima, Ikinajima, Sashima and Yugeshima in Kamijima-chou, Ehime prefecture.

 

Let me introduce you the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course, a well-kept secret!

 

 

Yumeshima Kaido Cycling course Report

The blue line shows the course.

The distance of Yumeshima Kaido is 5km. Too Short!

However, when you ride all the way around all islands, you will have a 50km bike trip.

 

What is the Yumeshima Kaido?

Yumeshima Kaido is a generic name of the cycling course which connects four islands in Kamijima-chou, Ehime prefecture.

(Yet, the bridge between Iwagijima and ikinajima islands has not been connected.)

 

Yumeshima Kaido cycling course is located near Innoshima and Ikuchijima islands where in the route of the Shimanami Kaido cycling course.

 

How to get there? Can go by bicycle?

The distinction of this course is to be set in completely isolated islands, unlike the other seven courses of the Shimanami Kaido.

There is no land route from any other islands to reach.

 

The three islands, Ikinajima, Sashina and Yugeshima are already connected by bridge, but Iwagijima is still isolated.

If you want to ride through all islands of the Yumeshima Kaido, you have to take a ferry for three times, such as
When you get,
When you leave,
When you go to Iwagijima from other islands.

 

Off to the Ikinajima from the Mihara station in Hiroshima prefecture!

Mihara Port is very near from Mihara Station.

You can walk to the boarding point from that Mihara Station.

It’s only 300 meters long, takes 5 minutes by walk.

 

From Mihara Port to Ikinajima / High speed ferry

Head to Ikinajima from Mihara Port.

 

It’s not allowed to bring your bicycle on high speed ferry without packed by bicycle bag.

So be sure to taking bicycle bag and packed before you get in.

It takes 40 minutes with enjoying the fresh sea breeze.

 

Ikinajima – the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course

Arrived at Tateishi Port in Ikinajima.

 

“Kamijima four brothers”

These four stone statues represent four villages, Yuge, Ikina, Iwagi and Uoshima before they have been merged into Kamijimachou. Cute face!

 

Useful cycling map and “Kamijima Cycle Free Ticket”

You can get a “Kamijima Shimabura Map” and “Kamijima Cycle Free Ticket” at Ikina Port.

These two are very useful during the trip.

A palm-size map, but you can see details when it spread out.

 

“Kamijima Cycle Free Ticket” makes your bicycle freight free and can use for every islands in Kamijima.

During bike trip, I used twice. Yugejima to iwagijima, and Iwagijima to Imabari.

 

Let’s start from Ikinajima to Sashima, then Yugejima!

Soon after starting, I can see the aim point. (second bridge on the left side of picture)

 

Sashima – the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course

Sashima is the island between Ikinajima and Yugejima.

The total length of regular course to Yugejima is 900 meters long.

Since I have come all the way to here, I chose to go to the southern tip of island.

 

“Blue Line” -the Sashima’s cycling course run through the greenery.

Blue Line guides you to the greenery landscape.

The blue line at the crossroads shows you where you should go to. I could see it at each crossroads, so I wasn’t lost.

 

Dashing through some mountain roads with the many ups and downs, when I got out of the shady tunnel, I could see …

 

the U-turn signs!

 

LOL!

 

It called the U-turn Blue Line in Sashima, a pretty well-known spot for riders.

This turning point is the one of the funny spot of the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course.

 

You can see the beautiful beach from there.

Wonder why this spot is included in the course…

 

Go back the way I came, cross the Yuge bridge, enter the Yugeshima.

 

 

Yugeshima – the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course

Soon after crossing the Yuge bridge, we can see the Yuge Port. (the right behind the port is Yuge bridge)

 

Again, I took a ferry, head to the forth island, Iwagijima.

 

Iwagijima – the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course

Iwagijima is the isolated island among the Yumeshima kaido.

Iwagijima is the biggest island of four and famous for lemon, so called as “Blue Lemon island”

The mountain in the center of the island is famous for Cherry blossom viewing. There are 4,000 trees.

 

Next ferry route is from Imabari to five islands (Iwagijima, Sashima, Yugeshima, Ikinajima and Innnoshima).

After finishing the Iwagijima cycling, we would take same ferry to reach Imabari.

 

In this ferry, you no need to pack your bicycle.

 

Arrived at the Iwagi Port Iwagijima.

 

Let’s start to cycle around Iwajijima!

With its warm and gentle winds, less traffic (even no traffic signal) and wide road, Iwagijima is an ideal destination to enjoy cycling. It’s 12km long around the island.

 

“Hakoumi”

The distinction of these islands in Yumeshima Kaido is low seawall.

Because of the landform, these area’s sea is smooth, free from waves.

 

It’s called “Hakoumi”. Hako means a Box.

This sea area surrounds by many islands like a precious rapping. Sounds lovely.

 

Even the shipbuilding company on this area can make big tankers on float.

 

Around the Iwagijima island very quickly, I arrived at Iwagi Port.

Taking the last ferry to reach the Imabari Port.

 

It was so much fun to cycle the Yuemshima Kaido!

 

Summery

The Yumeshima Kaido has short course but takes a lot of time to transfer to islands, so I think it’s not a good idea to set a sole destination.

 

It might be good for you to travel both cycling courses, the Yumeshima and Shimanami.
Covered the Yumeshima Kaido cycling course!

Fantastic trip!