WELCOME TO CYCLING ROAD OF EHIME, JAPAN: SETO INLAND SHIMANAMI SEA ROUTE INTERNATIONAL CYCLING EVENT "CYCLING SHIMANAMI 2018" NOW SCHEDULED

MATSUYAMA, Japan, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- 

On October 28, 2018, the western Japanese prefecture of Ehime will hold the international cycling event "Cycling Shimanami" with approximately 7,000 cyclists from around the world expected to participate. (Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/opn/release/201712048639/?images) The "Seto Inland Shimanami Sea Route" has a series of bridges across beautiful islands connecting Ehime's Imabari City to Hiroshima's Onomichi City. It was chosen as one of the "seven best cycle routes" by America's CNN travel information site and has received a Michelin star from France's "Michelin Green Guide Japan." It is often referred to as a "cycling sanctuary" in Japan. A cycling event (not a race) will take place on the Shimanami Sea Route. There will be seven breathtaking and refreshing courses available that focus on sightseeing. One of those courses is the Imabari-Onomichi course, which has riders traveling 43km across a highway bridge. Application for the event will start from April 2018 on the official website: http://cycling-shimanami.jp/english/ Imabari, the starting point for the event in Shikoku, is a historic site that was home to the "Murakami Pirates," which were said to be the most powerful ocean warrior pirates during the Warring States Period. Visiting the "Murakami Navy Museum" and going on the "Kurushima Strait Rapids Sightseeing Tour Boat" are some popular activities in the area. The "Mt. Kiro Observatory Park," which commands a scenic view of the "Kurushima Strait" and "Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge," was voted as the second best observatory spot in the "2017 Japan Observatory Spot Ranking" by Trip Advisor. http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=30721