1Day Model Plan to Enjoy Tobishima Kaido – A Japanese Heritage Island, Along with Kure City Sightseeing

Along the Akinada-Tobishima Kaido Drive you'll first cross Akinada Ohashi Bridge, connecting Kure City Kawajiri to the first island, Shimo-kamagari Island. Although the one-way fee is 720 yen, once you pay the first leg in cash and spend a total of 1,000 yen at a designated spot in the Akinada Tobishima area you’ll receive a return fare ticket for the Akinada Ohashi Bridge. For more detailed information on participating shops in the Akinada-Tobishima Kaido area, check out Kure Navi!

The first bridge to cross on the Akinada-Tobishima Kaido is Akinada Ohashi Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Japan managed by a prefecture, spanning 1,175 meters. There’s a stop along the way here by the Mitoshiro Ryokuchi viewpoint where you’ll find panoramic views of the entire Akinada Ohashi, and chances to snap a shot of your favorite angle!
Next up you’ll cross the largest truss bridge in the prefecture, the Kamagari Ohashi Bridge, before making your way to Deai no Yakata Kamagari. Here, you can dine and shop for souvenirs. Located on a hilltop, the site offers a serene view of the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, making for a perfectly refreshing way start to the day.

After about a 50-minute drive from the Deai no Yakata Kamagari on Kamagari Island, you'll arrive at the Mitarai district of Osakishimojima Island, designated as an Important Traditional Building Group Conservation Area by the national government.

The Mitarai district of Osakishimojima Island, which flourished in the Edo period as a lodging town for ships sailing the Seto Inland Sea, still retains the ambiance of its heyday with historic buildings lining its streets, offering a stroll back through time.

When exploring Mitarai, you'll find many old houses turned into public museums. This time was a chance to pop into the Former Shibaya Residence, designated as a cultural property by the city.

Take in the relaxed air you’ll only find in the islands of the Seto Inland Sea while stepping out for a walk through town, stopping by Mitarai Tenmangu Shrine.

Next up is the Otomeza theater, built in 1937. Its modern appearance from the early Showa era is striking. Until around the 1950s, it functioned as a real theater where stage plays and movies were screened. Today, you can still view the original audience seating from that era.

After leaving the Mitarai District, take a detour to the seaside Hidaka Shrine on Kami-Kamagari Island. Here, you'll find a torii gate by the sea, with the ocean and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea beyond. Perfectly in frame, the photo-worthy view seems like a painting that’s perfectly poised and ready to be snapped.

For lunch, head to Megumi no Oka Kamagari, about a 10-minute drive from Hidaka Shrine.
The Megumi no Oka Restaurant inside offers a popular set meal, featuring a range of dishes made with delights from the Seto Inland Sea, as well as freshly caught seafood sourced from local fishermen that morning and vegetables from local farms. The set includes an array of handmade small dishes using honest, wholesome ingredients, making it hard to choose where to start.

After your meal, you may want to swing by for a break at the plaza in front of the restaurant. You can spread out a sheet in the spacious square, which also has a dog run, and enjoy a picnic-like atmosphere. It's also a great spot for kids to play on the playground equipment, allowing everyone to spend their time as they please.

After leaving Kamagari Island, a 20-minute drive will lead to the final spot on this trip: Shimokamagari Island. Start out by taking the cobblestone path towards Shoto-en. This spacious property houses four exhibition halls set amidst a strolling-style garden. Each building has its own charm, with some being relocated or reconstructed from old houses in Miyajima or Toyama.
One of these buildings, Gochiso Ichiban-kan displays valuable artifacts related to the Korean envoys who visited Japan during the Edo period. Particularly noteworthy is the scroll depicting the activities of the 10th Korean envoy mission to Japan in 1748, which is registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World. The exhibits are regularly updated, so don't forget to check for the latest information on what's being shown!

Stop by the Shirayuki-ro, a short distance from Shoto-en on a hilltop, for a relaxing tea break with matcha and sweets. The building, relocated from Kyoto and dating back to the late Edo period, offers a soothing view from the second floor. In spring, the view of cherry blossoms in full bloom is especially popular. The first floor features a Japanese-style room with movable walls, which is also a must-see. Enjoying tea and sweets while admiring the garden, all while sitting on the veranda to gaze at the peaceful landscape below is a recommended way to reflect on your journey.

This journey across Akinada-Tobishima Kaido may have been by car, but it's also a popular path and cycling spot for domestic and international visitors. For bike rentals, you can head to Cottage Kajigahama, a spot that also has a campsite. Many people visit the campsite, rent bicycles, and go cycling to Osakikamijima. With its ups and downs and well-maintained cycling paths along the coast, planning a trip to cycle around the Tobishima Kaido is also a great idea.

Ready to ride? This one-day drive takes you all around the islands of the Tobishima Kaido, starting from the city of Kure. With plenty of sea breeze and laid back island vibes, you’re sure to leave this trip feeling recharged.
As an extra perk, there’s even a route from Okamura Port to Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, known for the Towel Museum, making Kure an excellent home base for all your travels around the Seto Inland Sea.
For extra fun, pair up this plan with a stroll through the photogenic port town of Kure for an unforgettable two-day, one-night trip.

Check out Instagram for photogenic views of Kure!