Kirosan Park's observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Kurushima Kaikyo bridge, forested islands and city lights. Cyclists on the Shimanami Kaido can easily take a detour to this observatory with an E-Bike or experience. The view from atop the mountain is considered one of the greatest in life, making it well worth the trip.
If you're an experienced cyclist or have an E-Bike while doing the Shimanami Kaido, take the detour up to his observatory. It is basically just a left turn from the main blue line, easy to get back on it after you went up.
It is arguably the greatest view I've ever seen in my life and truly an amazing feeling to stand on top off the mountain, overlooking the final bridge.
VanillaCoke1956 — Google review
Clearly one of the best observatory in the area. These spots are usually a good for a panorama but so uninteresting for their building. Here, thanks to Kengo Kuma you can enjoy a architectural walk with several levels and several platforms. Highly recommended!
Cedric Riveau — Google review
Wow, just wow! not only are the views 360 degrees of magic but the structure on the top is a bespoke architectural vision. This is a must see if you are on Ōshima Island. There are super clean toilets at tge top with the cutest homely touches! We were there just before sunset af golden hour it was breath taking. There are countless operated binoculars too. It is 360 meters of elevation with a 5-9 degree gradient on the road. Car or scooter is better if you are an expert road cyclist this is an epic hill climb.
Etomia Wilson — Google review
Beautiful scenery. Narrow uphill road but safe to drive. Two parking lot with maximum 30 cars.
Kittisak Innadda — Google review
If you're riding the Shimanami this was the hardest hill we did. Took us about 40 mins walking uphill we were so tired by the end of the ride. ( if you have an ebike should take half the time). Awesome 5-8 mins ride down.
Only do on a clear day as your views will not be worth it
Small food stall and souvenirs at the top.
Rebecca Flunder — Google review
Wonderful 360 degree view. If you have time, you should visit to here. 30min from Oshima exit of highway. 40 to 60min for walking from bottom of mountain. There are clean toilet and small food & drink shop at top of mountain.
Tony King — Google review
Incredible views and well worth the trip! We drove up thankfully as I imagine walking or cycling would be very tough indeed. The area at the top is very wide and open, which gives excellent panoramic views of the Inland sea and islands. I would love to come again during sunset.
Sefran — Google review
The perfect place for sunset view. It got quite chilly and windy during the sunset time.
There is a free parking lot at the top of the mountain, with more than 15 parking spaces. The observatory itself is a nice spot for taking pictures as well. The road up to the mountain has quite many turns, it gets really dark at nights.
Hao Chiang — Google review
Group Cycling Rides 2023 pinoy Cycling in Shimanami kaido routes @ kirosan Panorama Park. Great memories for cycling explore in imabari.
Explorer Studio — Google review
We cycled the route of Shimanami Kaido from Onomichi to Imabari. This park is just next to the main route, but requires a long and tough climbing, also return per same path. We are casual cyclists, and cycled, more wheeled our bicycles up the hill, costing around 45 mins. The view on the top is absolutely stunnng, and I say this point is the true jewe on the whole route. If you have enough time, must go there. It deserves your hard climbing. The downhill journey just cost 4 mins, grasp your brakes and stay safe.
Ding Sun — Google review
The views at Kirosan Observatory Park were spectacular and worth the bike ride up. It was a great side diversion while riding the Shimanani Kaido.
Ellen Mitchell — Google review
Easy drive and lots of parking, there is a small store which sells snacks, drinks and various souvenirs. The walk up is pretty easy and the views are breathtaking. Probably best to come at dawn or dusk, but we had a schedule to follow.
Karl Chong — Google review
Hired a car to visit the islands south of Onomichi and this location was one of the highlights.
Graham H — Google review
Highly recommendable sightseeing point. We reached to top by bike to enjoy a great view. The distance from the main road is approximately 3 km. On the way up there are signs every 500 m informing you which distance you have left. On the top is a small shop with drinks and ice cream.
A Z — Google review
Wonderful view. came here by climbing with my bicycle after doing the shimanami kaido route ! Sunset is Woawww
The 2nd Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge is a group of three suspension bridges that stretch over the Kurushima Strait for more than 4 kilometers. It offers breathtaking views of Imabari and the neighboring sea and islands, with an impressive steep incline. The bridge is not only remarkable but also easy to drive through, although caution is advised as unmarked police cars may pull over overspeeding drivers.
It's so long! Make sure you stop halfway and enjoy the view.
K H — Google review
Enjoying bike rides on the Shimanami Kaido(seaside bike trail)!
KIICHIRO KOBORI — Google review
Driving across was a pretty cool experience, the bridge was not only spectacular but was so easy to drive across, take care though I did see an unmarked police car pull someone over, plenty of photos and videos can be taken by passengers whilst driving over this marvellous structure.
Shinboner — Google review
Awesome bike ride, if you’re in the vincinity I highly recommend renting a bike and admiring the views!
Arkadiusz Wojtal — Google review
It was raining (-1)
It was too long (-1)
My behind was hurting because I didn’t have paddings in my pants (-1)
Seen prettier bridges (-1)
Dennis Ruijselaar — Google review
steep climb on 🚴🏻. One of the longest bridges in Japan with great views of imabari and the surrounding sea and islands
Oyamazumi Shrine, located in Omishima Island, is a spiritual nature shrine surrounded by ancient camphor trees and bark-roofed shrines. The complex also includes a museum featuring armor and weapons from the samurai period of Japanese history. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, signing goshuincho books is currently unavailable but visitors can receive a pre-customized seal on separate paper to place in their book.
Oyamazumi Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of navigation, is a shrine you should definitely visit if you're in the area. The museum exhibits armor, swords, and other equipment that account for 80% of national treasures and important cultural properties.
AMC Products & Tours — Google review
Drop by if you’re biking in the area. The museum attached to the temple is so worth it. It contains many national treasures including samurai armors, swords and weapons
Laura Dru — Google review
Such a beautiful shrine to wander around - we arrived at dusk and only had a few minutes but will definitely go back!
I love the 2000 year old tree and temple history, want to get back to see the samurai artifacts.
jj walsh — Google review
This is a beautiful temple and very large but very few visitors. If you are biking, it is 100% worth it to venture off on the island explorer route to visit this temple.
anthony scott — Google review
The collection of national treasures here was really worth the detour to this side of the island. Unfortunately photos are not allowed, but if you're into huge ancient swords and amazingly preserved armor from the samurai era, make a point to come here.
Chris O'Dell — Google review
They aren’t signing goshuincho books due to COVID at the moment, but will give you a pre customized seal on a separate piece of paper if you would like to stick it in your book.
Highly recommend checking out the armor at the museum that ties with Tsuruhime and the huge camphor tree on the shrine grounds.
Vantageshots — Google review
A very sacred shrine. Don't trust google maps when you go here. It directed me to someone else's car park.
Harry (Ronald) — Google review
Always enjoy visiting this most spiritual nature shrine in Omishima island. Highly recommend visiting especially if you’re a fan of Japanese history. You will enjoy treasure hunts of samurai period in the museum inside the shrine. (Although they were closed due to COVID-19 at this moment.)