Shio RamenI was lucky enough to have the chance to once again attempt a Hiroshima crossing this time, by car instead of on bicycle.  The first crossing was met with limited success as it was in late August, unbelievably windy and much more challenging than my meek physical condition could handle.  Although we made it only to the first island by bicycle, I was able to, along with my trusty companion, Mari, able to make the trek from Imabari to the far off city of Onomichi in the Hiroshima Prefecture.

Here’s a map of the six main islands that compose the foundations for the seven bridges that stretch from Shikoku (the smallest of the four main islands of Japan) to Honshu (the largest of the four).  From Imabari city in the lower-left corner to Onomichi in the upper-right, the entire trip non-stop takes a little more than an hour.

Although we stopped at a few rest areas and michi no eki along the way, the highlight of the trip was definitely the trip itself.  The scenery is beautiful and from an engineering perspective, the crossing is quite impressive.  Transitioning from seaside cliffs to surprisingly long tunnels to the seven spans, just the drive makes the trip worth it.

At the end of the crossing if you’re coming from Imabari, stopping at the temple Senkouji is a nice way to cap off the trip.  The view of the town and its twin bridges from the top of the temple is quite nice.  I’ve also been told that the god that resides in the temple is often attributed to romantic love.  A good place to go if you’re looking for a partner or looking to get your partner to marry you.