Our Favorite Cafés Along the Shimanami Kaido

Located on the ground floor of the Onomichi Club, SEN COFFEE is a great first stop before setting out on the Shimanami Kaido. The café boasts a contemporary atmosphere, with a lovely view of the Onomichi Strait. The menu features espresso-based drinks, as well as several homemade treats.

Our favorite? The tiramisu pudding, available in cocoa, matcha, or raspberry flavors. The Basque cheesecake is also a great choice to recharge your energy.

For cyclists, this is the perfect spot to stop for a coffee, plan the rest of their route, or simply enjoy the atmosphere of Onomichi one last time before heading out to the islands!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 15-20 Nishitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0032
HOURS: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Tea Stand Yamate (Tea Factory Gen)

For a change from coffee, head to Tea Stand Yamate, one of Onomichi’s most unique spots, since it specializes in tea. The spot is affiliated with TEA FACTORY GEN, a producer that processes its own teas and seeks to highlight their unique character, rather than replicating the classic flavors typically expected of Japanese tea.

Perched on the hills above Onomichi, the café lets you enjoy the town’s distinctive atmosphere, with its steep alleyways, historic houses, and views of the surrounding area.

It’s an interesting stop for those who want to discover another side of tea culture, away from the traditional tourist spots.

Be aware, however, that there aren’t really any desserts or coffee here. People come here mainly for tea tastings, so it might not be the best choice if you’re dreaming of a sweet treat.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 9-8 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0033
HOURS: Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a break from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

Among the specialties that have made this place famous, the affogato remains our favorite: the house version combines milk and pistachio ice cream, while another variation features milk, orange, vanilla, and mascarpone. A delicious way to take a break before setting out on the first few kilometers of the Shimanami Kaido.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 10-2 Nishitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0032
HOURS: Open only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The menu features coffee, teas, and a few sweet treats, all served in a deliberately simple style. Our recommendations? The tiramisu, the Setouchi lemon cake, and the sandwich made with local milk.

But it’s the setting above all that makes this spot worth a visit: after exploring the sloping alleys and temples of the mountain district, this place offers a much-needed moment of calm. It’s a great way to experience Onomichi in a different light.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 11-12 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0033
HOURS: Daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As Overview Coffee’s Japanese location, the café showcases carefully selected coffees, paying particular attention to their origin and production conditions. Several varieties of beans are available on-site, which can be enjoyed via hand-drip brewing, among other methods.

You can also pick up some whole-bean coffee, brewing equipment, or a few coffee-themed items here. After cycling a few kilometers, the port of Setoda is the perfect spot to take a break and catch your breath.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 254-2 Setodacho, Setoda, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-2411
HOURS: Daily, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Right across from Setoda Harbor, MINATOYA is a place to keep in mind if you’re really hungry. Located within the SOIL Setoda, this restaurant-café showcases local produce.

The cuisine is centered around wood-fired cooking and local ingredients: sun-kissed vegetables, Setouchi citrus fruits, and fish and octopus from the surrounding waters.

Our recommendations? The wood-fired grilled fish of the day and the pork with miso and Setouchi lemons.

It’s worth noting that MINATOYA also offers a same-day service, making it an attractive stop for cyclists looking for a more substantial break than just a pastry and a coffee.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 254-2 Setodacho, Setoda, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-2411, SOIL Setoda 1F
HOURS: Breakfast 7:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.; Coffee 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Dinner 5:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
 

Classico doesn’t have a real seating area and mainly offers coffee to go. But that’s exactly what makes it a great stop before hitting the road again. The coffees served vary depending on the beans available and let you sample the shop’s in-house roasts, before heading out with a bag of beans in your bike bags if you’d like. It’s a great spot for cyclists who want to bring back a truly local souvenir, rather than just a typical tourist trinket.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1-3-28 Tsuchido, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0035
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
 

On Oshima Island, Tomi Chaya is a charming little spot. Far from the hustle and bustle of the main roads, this café offers a chance to take a breather while discovering a more rural side of Oshima.

The café specializes in homemade dishes and drinks, with a focus on local ingredients. Special mention goes to its citrus curry— it’s a real treat!

But it’s really the atmosphere of the place that makes it a pleasant stop after several kilometers of cycling: here, it’s not just about gulping down a coffee before heading out again—you treat yourself to a real break.

For cyclists, Tomi Chaya is also an interesting stop halfway along the route, if you want to veer off the main path for a bit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 6363-1 Miyakubocho, Miyakubo, Imabari, Ehime 794-2203
HOURS: Open Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When it comes to drinks, Yard Cafe offers an espresso blend as well as a selection of coffees from small roasters in the Setouchi region. The menu also showcases local products, particularly citrus fruits from Setoda, featuring seasonal drinks and desserts. The café is also known for its artisanal ice cream, made with milk from free-range cows and seasonal ingredients from Onomichi.