Shimanami Kaido
The Shimanami Kaido is a popular 70-kilometer cycling route along the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Expressway connecting Ehime Prefecture to Hiroshima Prefecture on Honshu Island. CNN Travel calls the Shimanami Kaido "one of the world's most incredible bike routes." The scenic Shimanami Kaido cycling route traverses six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea via seven bridges, including the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge—the world’s strongest and longest suspension bridge. The route offers dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. Rent a bicycle at either end of the Shimanami Kaido to explore the islands at your own pace. Tourist highlights include the tidal currents (rapids) between some of the islands and the Murakami Suigun Museum dedicated to the history of the Murakami Kaizoku (Murakami Pirates). Unlike most pirates throughout history, the Murakami Kaizoku famously acted as like a modern coastguard maintaining peace and order for safe navigation and stable trade throughout the Seto Inland Sea during Japan's Warring States period (1467–1603).