"The Shimanami Toso Map!" A MUST for English speakers and the key to a successful Shimanami Kaido!
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- Опубліковано 24 бер 2023
- If you are planning to cycle the most stunning coastal scenic route in Japan, for English speakers, there is only one really comprehensive and easy-to-understand map series of the seven Shimanami Kaido islands called "The Shimanami Toso Map." This map series explains clearly and includes much-needed detailed information on the terrain, roads, accommodation options, sights, as well as transportation options, including ferries and buses. Additionally, the maps provide information on rest areas, local attractions, and recommended restaurants.
This is the link: amzn.to/3MyY66E for ordering within Japan from Amazon.co.jp. However, there is an issue that the Shimanami Toso Map can only be bought on Amazon.co.jp (Amazon Japan) and only be delivered to a Japanese address. I tried searching for the Shimanami Toso Maps on Amazon.com (US), but they were not available. I tried to place an order on Amazon.co.jp and have it sent outside of Japan but it would not accept the address. It is unclear whether they can be ordered from other Amazon networks in other countries. If you live or have a friend or relative in Japan, you can order the maps on amazon.co.jp and have them shipped to your/their address. If you are coming to Japan as a tourist or short-term visitor, you can set up an Amazon.co.jp account and arrange for the maps to be delivered to your hotel or a nearby convenience store upon your arrival, ensuring that Amazon delivers to the selected convenience store. I am sorry that this may be an extra step for those of you living outside Japan. I only became aware of this issue after uploading the video. If anyone has a suggestion on how to make this ordering and receiving process easier, please write in the comments below. Thank you!
Other Shimanami Kaido series videos (5 total):
#1: Part 1 - Ready to cycle the Shimanami Kaido? Getting there and preparing for the cycling ride of your life!
• What to know and prepa...
#2: Part 2- The Real Story of Riding the Shimanami Kaido with all my problems and mistakes.
• Cycling the Shimanami ...
#3 Part 3 - Cycling the Shimanami Kaido: Going Home!
• Cycling the Shimanami ...
#4 of the 5 video series: 10 Things to Know BEFORE you cycle the Shimanami Kaido!
• 10 Things you should k...
#5 of the 5 video series: A MUST for English speakers and the key to a successful Shimanami Kaido!
• "The Shimanami Toso Ma...
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#japantravel #shimanami #onomichi
A couple of weeks ago I came across an absurdly detailed english guide for the Shimanami Kaido written up by an owner of one of the guesthouses on the route (YT comments always give me grief when I try posting links for whatever reason, but it's on the site for Cyclo No Ie Guesthouse in the FAQ). He's ridden the route backwards and forwards and covers just about everything you could possibly think of for logistics, even stuff like where to stop off if you feel like taking a shower/bath and ratings for how difficult it is to climb to the various observation points. What's especially great is that he has a google map outlining the different routes, restaurants, hotels, sightseeing points etc that can overlay with your live location, so you can easily check if there's a spot to grab a bite to eat nearby or if a side route might be too difficult. I'm planning on spending a few days on the route for an upcoming trip and it's been completely indispensible for planning things out.
This is great info. You’re a god send. Thank you so much for letting people know about this site.
That's is great info! Thank you so much!
What a great video, Mike. Extremely thorough. When it comes to YT content, material with actionable advice can't be beat. Kudos, my friend.
very good point regarding lack of english preparatory resources. the Toso maps look really good. I have ridden the kaido many times and usually just follow my nose. Having some more details may for multiple day trips looks attractive. thank you for sharing
Very helpful information! Many rural parts of Australia also have these challenges with infrequent (or non-existent) public transport and no-one able to help foreign language speakers. I look forward to seeing your next trip on the Shimanami, it looks like a lovely area.
Thanks for sharing!
Really useful information for this fantastic trip.
My daughter and I cycled part of the route from Imabari a few years back. What a fantastic day. I wish though we had made better preparations.
coming
Please let us know if you find any further info.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going in October and I've started planning 😂.
Have fun!
Aloha! This and your last shimanami video talked about all the things I was thinking about. It’s been on my Japan list of things to do for a few years now.
I have watched a lot of videos about people doing the Shimanami Kaido and it was slim on facts and most of the time the people making the videos were 20 years younger than me.
I can’t wait to hear how your 2nd trip goes. Especially your planning with getting an e-bike.
Also what do you think about using Google maps to help with itinerary.
Great information! We’re planning our trip in May. Thoughts on riding the Shimanami from Imabari to Onomichi? We only want to do one way as directly as possible
Hi, are there storage facilities for big luggages?
How did your ride in April go Mike? Are you going to do a UA-cam video on it? My family (2 adults and 2 children, 12 and 9) are doing in over 3 days on October. We’re planning about 25 km a day and have booked accomodation for each night. But it was very difficult planning and booking (for reasonably priced accommodation).
Thanks for this information! How was your experience at the bike rental place at the port?
I got to know Iwamoto-san and Taro at the Onomichi port rental shop, and they were very helpful. Taro is a bike mechanic and speaks English, but if he is not there, most of the employees are older men who do not speak English. So small details and questions can be a problem. The overall reservation system is not very good. For some tourists, it was hit or miss. 70% of the bicycles are online reservations and 30% are non-reserved, first come, first serve. Go early if you don't have a reservation.
Thanks for the very informative video! Do you have any advice/tips on the bus services on the bike route? I was hoping to do the shimanami kaido as well this April.
Here is a link of the photo of the bus companies that you can call or have someone call for you. I think you can get the bus times on Google Maps. www.dropbox.com/s/w9aohns25wcuk6z/IMG_4890.HEIC?dl=0
@@MikeMatsuno Thank you for the help!
Thanks for the helpful information, Mike. A little too late for me to order since I’ll be there next week. Does the info pack contains any info about bus services from Imabari back to Onomichi…??
I can take a photo of the bus services section that were on the Shimanami Toso Maps and send it to you if you send me your email as I cannot upload it to these comments. It gives you some general information about the different bus companies. Not departure times but companies, prices, and phone numbers. To find out about the times of buses, in the past I used Google Maps and entered the time I wanted to leave and the start and destination from Imabari to Onomichi or reverse, and it would bring up the information on the times and costs. But be sure to verify everything once you get there, just to be sure. Things sometimes change.
Here is a photo of the bus companies that service the area. You can call or someone could call for you. www.dropbox.com/s/w9aohns25wcuk6z/IMG_4890.HEIC?dl=0
Thank you for the information Mike!
I’m doing it at the end of may and this looks just like the thing to make it all as easy as possible, physical effort aside😅
Btw do you know if the bycicle rental shops do rent helmets as well?🤔
The helmet is usually included with the bicycle rental price. If you can, try and get the Shimanami Toso Map, it really will make your trip so much easier. Have a great trip!
@@MikeMatsuno Thanks Mike and I will do!🙂
@@MikeMatsuno Um, it's listed as currently unavailable. I will be on the look out for it :)
@@lucianoarrieta5786 Yes, I am sorry, if you read the second paragraph of my description, you will see the issue that they do not sell it on Amazon outside of Japan. So you would have to create an account on the Amazon of Japan, Amazon.co.jp. Sorry!
@@MikeMatsuno No, I mean it’s unavailable in Amazon Japan…
That's my main reason for traveling to Japan! The shimanami Kaido ride. Unfortunately, the toso map won't ship to Canada. Any suggestions on still getting that map collection? I'm going in October. I was supposed to have gone last year but stuff came up.
If you can time it to have it sent by Amazon.co.jp to your hotel when you arrive in Japan, that might work.
@Mike Matsuno going to try and find another way. I'd like to study it before I go. Also, hotels are either very expensive or not close to the onomichi departure point. That would have a useful in the video. Looking at staying in hiroshima and taking the train to onomichi. Your thoughts?
Sadly the map is out of stock on the amazon jp website. Is there any way we could get the english version other than Amazon, Mike ?
any luck with this
I also cannot find it. I think they are gone :( I can only find link to buy the japanese version
Hello mike, my friends and I would like to explore this shiminami kaido route. We are from Manila and we only speak English. How can I get these maps?
Sorry, but they are only available on Amazon.co.jp in Japan. They do not ship overseas. So you would have to purchase them on Amazcon.co.jp and time it to have them sent to your hotel when you first arrive in Japan. I wrote to the NGO that they should send the Toso Map overseas, but I heard nothing back from them.
can i camp there/