Experience the Heart of the Shimanami Kaido

The next Velo-city, the world's premier annual cycling summit, will make its first debut in Japan next year. Its host, Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture, is a fitting choice. Beyond its historic castle town character, Ehime is home to the Shimanami Kaido, one of the world's most celebrated cycling routes.

Stretching across the Seto Inland Sea, the Shimanami Kaido connects a chain of islands through a succession of bridges that seem to disappear into the horizon. Widely regarded as one of the world's premier cycling routes, it has become a destination in its own right. Yet the appeal of Shimanami Kaido extends beyond just its scenery. The route's global recognition owes as much to its community roots as it does to its picturesque landscapes. Borne from a desire to increase accessibility across the islands, it stands as a testament to a community oriented vision that recognised cycling as an important part of everyday life and connection. In doing so, the Shimanami Kaido evolved into a destination admired by cyclists around the world whilst continuing to credit the communities and places that gave rise to its founding.

Located in Kamiurachō Amazaki on Omishima Island, HINOKI STAYS – Tea House provides a natural base from which to explore all that Shimanami Kaido has to offer. Positioned directly along the route, the property embodies many of the same values that have come to define the islands themselves. Whilst respecting its heritage, and its century-old structure, the property becomes a continuation of an enduring legacy. Having been fortunate enough to observe the final stages of the renovation, I have developed a real appreciation for the care and craftsmanship that have gone into every detail, from the larger restoration works to the precision given to the panelling of the shoji screens. Even from a brief virtual tour, it was made clear that countless small decisions and careful touches have shaped the finish, creating a space that feels both respectful of its history and thoughtfully considered in the present.  

Perhaps what binds the Shimanami Kaido, the growing interest in cycling across the region and the property itself is a common emphasis on community and the preservation of a distinctly authentic sense of place. As global attention turns to the area in 2027 for Velo-city, visitors will encounter not only a region at the centre of international conversations around cycling and sustainable mobility, but also one whose identity and purpose have stayed unwaveringly loyal to the people who call it home. While the summit will bring together new ideas and perspectives from around the world, the experience of cycling the route itself remains much the same, crossing between islands and encountering the beautiful landscapes and communities that have defined the Shimanami Kaido long before its international recognition.

Link: Velo-city 2027