About Tobishima Kaido & Mt.Noro
About Tobishima Kaido
〜Journey to discover real island living〜
Tobishima Kaido is made up of seven islands and seven bridges each with their own charms.As you ride along the cycle way, you will be mesmerised by the views of the stunning archipelago on the glistening Seto Inland Sea.
From the ancient times, the Seto Inland Sea has been a part of an important route for maritime trade, connecting mainland China with the Japanese Imperial Court in Nara and Kyoto. Around the Tobisima Kaido, you will see many old ports “awaiting favourable tides”, as the locals affectionately call them. These ports are much cherished landscapes of this area and reminiscent of its rich and vibrant history. Historically, this area has hosted many international envoys from countries such as Netherlands and Korea. For centuries, this was an exciting region where old local traditions met exotic foreign cultures.
The cycling route has been designed for riders to travel along the scenic coastline and enjoy the feeling of the sea breeze. With less traffic and ups and downs, it offers a truly enjoyable cycling experience for all. It is 35km from the first island to the last, making it the perfect distance to complete in a day. Make sure you don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience if you plan to visit Hiroshima.
About Mt. Noro
〜Look out across the Tobishima Kaido and the islands of the Setouchi stretching out into the distance. 〜
The 839-meter-high Mt. Noro is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors in spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall leaves. The view of the Seto Inland Sea from the Kabutoiwa Observation Deck near the summit will take your breath away.
The rocks on Mt. Noro formed around 80 million years ago when magma erupted to the surface and violent tectonic activity around 3 million years ago pushed these rocks higher and higher. During the Ice Age, the rocks began cracking after rapid cooling. This created the strange and unusual rock formations you can see across the mountain such as the Ogasaneiwa and Kogasaneiwa.
Motorists, bikers and cyclists can access the “Sazanami Skyline” road that runs to the summit. In recent years, cyclists who crave the challenging hill-climb have begun to converge on the mountain and the “Mt. Noro GRAND Hill Climb” cycling competition has been held on Mt. Noro every autumn since 2022. Wild boar cuisine is a popular local delicacy and you can enjoy wild boar dishes in the restaurant at the top of the mountain.
