Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido is the nickname of Nishiseto Expressway.
It is one of the expressways connecting Honshu Island and Shikoku Island.
The entrance point of Honshu is Onomichi city, and the one of Shikoku is Imabari city. The length is 59.4 km.

This area has many islands in Seto Inland Sea (Seto Naikai).
This expressway run through the islands like steppingstones.
The island are the followings. (From Onomichi side)

Mukaishima, In'noshima, Ikuchijima, Oomishima, Hakatajima, Ooshima

The first three islands are in Hiroshima Prefecture, and the last three islands are in Ehime Prefecture.

Of course, when we run on this route by car, we can enjoy the views of the sea and islands in Seto Naikai.
And one or two exits are set up on each island, the we can tour around the islands.

There are seven large bridges across the sea on the route, and six of them have the way for pedestrians and bicycles. (The bridge between Onomichi and Mukaishima island doesn't have it.)
So this route is popular for cyclists.

The popular sightseeing spots on these islands are the followings.

• In'noshima Suigun Castle /1/ : The re-created castle of sea troops (Suigun) in the 14-16th centuries.
  Murakami family was active as sea troop in this area in Seto Naikai in the period.
  The castle for Suigun was only here in Japan.
  Inside of the castle is the museum about sea troop.
• Kosanji temple /2/ : The gorgeous temple of Shin Buddhism founded in 1936, in Ikuchijima.
  A successful businessman became a priest for his dead mother, and founded this temple.
  All buildings in the temple grounds are modeled after the famous historic structures in Japan.
  Koyomon gate looks like Yomeimon in Nikko Toshogu Shrine. So this temple is called "Westeen Nikko".
  Main temple looks like Byodo-in in Uji city.
  Five-story pagoda looks like Murouji in Nara Prefecture's one.
  And the museum in this temple has quality antique arts.
• Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art /3/ : The museum of art for Ikuo Hirayama (1930-2009), an excellent Japanese-style painter. It is near Kosanji.
  He was born in this island, and was one of the atomic-bomb survivors in Hiroshima.
  He had often visit Silk Road, and created many works about it and Buddhism.
  Many works of his are exhibited.

SHIMAP : Shimanami Kaido official website

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