Finished the Shimanami Kaido on a Brompton

Back from my Japan trip and thought I’d lay out my thoughts and comments from bringing my 2026 C-Line Brompton to Japan.

Brought it over to Japan in the Vincita Sightseer 4.0 bag. I filled up the garment bag thoroughly to pad it out and also had the Vincita Invisibility Bag Cover over the bike before loading it into the Sightseer. The Brompton came out unscathed after the flight through Checked-In Baggage. Overall the Sightseer did a good job for protection.

The only criticism I would have of the Sightseer is that I wished all 4 of the wheels were omni-directional instead of just 2 with the other 2 being locked in place. I found difficulty moving it around whenever I had to get into trains and elevators and you need the mobility to move it back and forth and side-to-side. Speed is critical when getting off trains in Japan and the 2 locked wheels really made it difficult.

I landed in KIX airport in Osaka for my initial few days in Japan. On the day I would ride the Shimanami Kaido, I took the Shinkansen from Osaka over to Fukuyama. I left the Sightseer and my other Checked In Suitcase in 2 Coin Lockers at Fukuyama station. Coin Lockers can be used for up to 3 days(including the day of) and I used 2 large lockers that were 800 Yen per day. Remember to bring plenty of cash since they only took 100 yen coins with an exchange machine nearby that only took 1000 yen bills to convert into coins. I deposited the initial 1600 yen for the 2 lockers and took the 2 keys with me. When I returned to the station at the end 2 days later, you put the keys into the locker and then need to deposit the yen for the extra days you used before you can turn the key and open it. (Grand total of 4800 yen, 1600 yen to put them in 2 lockers initially, then an additional 3200 for the extra days to unlock them when I came back).

Afterwards, I took with me my backpack with 2 days of amenities and the Brompton in the Vincita Invisibility Bag Cover and rode the connecting train line from Fukuyama Station over to Onomichi for the start of the Shimanami Kaido. I checked out of my hotel in Osaka at 10 AM. So the travel time from Osaka to Fukuyama to Onomichi actually had me start late for the Kaido at around 2-3 PM. Remember to also bring the 110 yen needed in cash for the boat that gets you to the start of the Kaido.

The sights were truly as great I was anticipating when riding along and seeing the Japanese inland sea and the islands. Cycling on the islands themselves is fairly flat and nice as well. You will be riding on roads alongside cars, but I never felt in danger of getting hit by a car as the Japanese drivers definitely gave a lot of room when passing you. I felt more in danger from those drain ditches alongside the road than I ever did from cars.

Those hills leading up to each bridge between the islands are definitely a killer though. I got off my Brompton a bunch to walk up those hills. If you’re more physically fit, maybe you’ll have less of an issue. But I’m your average American that lives a sedentary car-based lifestyle.

As I had decided to do the Kaido over 2 days, I had booked a stay over in Setoda in Ikuchijima Island, the 3rd island of the Shimanami Kaido. Even with my late start, I still managed to get through the 3 islands to my accommodation around 6:30 PM as the sun was setting.

For the 2nd day, I was able to get up to a more proper start in the morning to finish the rest of the route. As I was more properly aligned time-wise with the other people cycling the Shimanami Kaido, I was seeing for the first time the difference in speed between a folding bike and actual road bikes/E-bikes that people rented and definitely got overtaken a lot on the 2nd day. But I also found that I wasn’t the only one that had the idea to ride the Shimanami Kaido on a Brompton. Saw a good handful of tourists in Bromptons and was even surprised when I saw a trio of older Japanese ladies with Bromptons that were kitted out for touring. So you’re in good company if you also decide to take your Brompton.

Got my lunch at the Cyclist Sanctuary on Omishima Island which is about the midpoint of the Shimanami Kaido. Even had a nice talk with one of the locals from Ikuchijima island that used the bridge between the two islands as his morning running route.

Afterwards, I cycled the rest of the Shimanami Kaido at a more relaxed pace since I had more time than I did the day before. Got to see the beautiful sights, stopped for pictures and ice cream on shops along the route, and just took it all in. Hills were definitely still a killer though. I often see the 44T Chainring swap recommended around here a bunch and this experience definitely had me considering it now.

Was definitely worn out by the time I reached the final, huge, 4KM bridge that led to Imabari. The ending also kind of felt anti-climactic? Getting over the 4KM bridge to Imabari felt accomplishing, but then you ride through the suburban/industrial city alongside dozens of cars before you reach the JR Imabari station. I would definitely put it into consideration starting the ride the other way around from Imabari and ending at Onomichi if I ever do this again. Feels like ending at the last island and taking the wharf ride over to the beautiful seaside town of Onomichi would be a more beautiful picturesque ending.

Once I reached Imabari, I put my Brompton in the Vincita Invisibility Bag Cover and took the train over to Matsuyama for my stay for the night. Some people can choose to immediately go back to Fukuyama at this point by taking the bus at the Imabari station, but I just wanted to take advantage of my ending point and take the hour train ride to Matsuyama. Again, definitely have money on you since you’re now in Shikoku and they don’t have as much technological advancements as you’d expect compared to the major Japanese regions. Had to manually buy tickets with cash at the machine at Imabari Station as there was no IC card system.

Stayed the night in Matsuyama, returned back to Imabari station the next day. Then rode the bus line that takes you from Imabari directly to Fukuyama station. Picked up my Sightseer and Check-In bag from the coin lockers, then went my merry way for the rest of my trip by taking Shinkansen from Fukuyama to Tokyo.

Final Thoughts:

Sightseer 4.0 bag was good for protecting the Brompton but the 2 fixed wheels were a pain for mobility.

Taking a Brompton on the Shimanami Kaido was fun and you’ll be in good company as you’ll definitely see other people that will do the same.

The sights of the Shimanami Kaido were truly beautiful. The ride itself was truly a stunning experience in itself, but don’t feel the need to rush and give yourself time to stop and take in some sights and snap some pictures.

C-Lines are heavy, those times I was lugging it around in the Invisibility Bag Cover was tough. I see now why people dole out thousands extra for lighter Bromptons.

Dragging 2 Checked Bags in Japan is tough. Maybe I’ll only just take the Sightseer next time.