Traveling from Imabari to Hiroshima
Most people cycling the Shimanami Kaido route start in Onomichi and finish in Imabari, then head on toward Hiroshima or Miyajima. Of course, you can also return our rental bikes at Imabari Station.
In this article, I’ll briefly explain how to get from Imabari to Hiroshima.
There are 2 basic ways to get there
❶ [Fastest and easiest: 2–2.5 hours, ¥8,400 (no reservation required)]
Imabari→(🚌Highway Bus：1-2 times per hour)→Fukuyama→(🚄Shinkansen: 3 times per hour）→ Hiroshima
Bus timetable and how to buy tickets
Timetable
| Depart: Imabari Sta. (今治駅前 発) |
Arrive: Fukuyama Sta. (福山駅前 着) |
|---|---|
| 06:20 | 07:55 |
| 07:35 | 09:10 |
| 08:35 | 10:08 |
| 09:25 | 10:58 |
| 10:05 | 11:35 |
| 10:40 | 12:10 |
| 11:10 | 12:40 |
| 12:10 | 13:40 |
| 13:10 | 14:40 |
| 14:10 | 15:40 |
| 15:10 | 16:40 |
| 16:20 | 17:50 |
| 17:00 | 18:30 |
| 17:30 | 19:00 |
| 18:25 | 19:55 |
| 19:30 | 21:00 |
* Highway Bus "Shimanami Liner" (No reservation required).
* Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to traffic conditions.
）
The Imabari–Fukuyama express bus (Shimanami Liner Fukuyama) is an open-seating bus, and reservations are not accepted. Please pay the fare on board.
Board the bus at the bus terminal in front of Imabari Station.
Look for the sign that says “Fukuyama.”
Starting in February 2026, contactless credit card payments are now accepted on buses!
However, depending on the type of card, it may not be accepted, so it’s best to bring some Japanese yen (2,800 yen per person) just in case.
There are more than three Shinkansen trains to Hiroshima every hour, so you don’t need to worry about the schedule. The last train departs at 11:30 p.m.
❷【Least expensive: 3 hours, ¥4,200 (reservation required)】
Imabari→(🚌Highway Bus：⚠️only 3 departures: 8:40, 11:37,17:52.）→ Hiroshima
Bus timetable and how to buy tickets
Timetable
| Depart: Imabari Sta. (今治駅前 発) |
Arrive: Hiroshima Sta. (広島駅新幹線口 着) |
|---|---|
| 08:48 | 11:17 |
| 11:45 | 14:14 |
| 18:00 | 20:29 |
* Highway Bus "Shimanami Liner" (Advance reservation required).
* Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to traffic conditions.
（※高速バス「しまなみライナー」広島線は予約制・全席指定です。交通状況により時間が前後する場合があります）
⚠️Advance reservations are required for the Imabari–Hiroshima express bus (Shimanami Liner Hiroshima Line).
Board the bus at the bus terminal in front of Imabari Station.
The bus stops in Hiroshima are “Hiroshima Station” and “Hiroshima Bus Center.” If you plan to transfer to a bus bound for Miyajima or other destinations, it is best to get off at “Hiroshima Station.”
What if I want to go back to Onomichi?
Since the express bus does not stop in Onomichi, you will need to take one of the following options.
① Take the train from Fukuyama Station to Onomichi Station. ② Get off at “Innoshima Ohashi” and transfer to a local bus. ③ Get off at “Koto Bus Stop” and continue on foot and by ferry.