Camping in Secret island ” Michikashima” in Japan
Anyone interested in camping in Shimanami Kaido? Hello guys, I am introducing a unique island in Japan “Michikashima”. There is a campsite in this island which is quite famous for campers because of the limited access.
- About Michikajima Camp Site
- Ways to Go from Shimanami Kaido and Details
- tips and my thought after camping
About Michikajima Camp Site
The campsite is on the way of Shimanami Kaido in Ehime. In more detail, it is located between Hakatajima and Oshima which is uninhabited island. You could only get there from Hakata-Oshima bridge.
As some moves and books are published, Shimanami Kaido is famous for Murakami pirates. They used this island as a relay base. After while, when government build a bridge between islands, an official survey team found the evidence that someone were there in the long time past. Therefore, the bridge is not on this island for this historical heritage. It is over crossing two other islands.
It is uninhabited islands, but there is a camp site in, and you have water access and restroom in the island. Many campers around there know that, so it’s very popular for campers. The campsite is covered with lawn grass, and no reservation system. Basically it is first come first served.
here is an official city website for Michikajima, check here(In Japanese)
On the picture above, only 10-15 tents were there even though that was afternoon. The are of this camp site is on that huge, so even20-25 tents are maximum number that ripple can camp here.
The campsite has water access and two restroom, even it’s old. Popular spots are just under the trees. When I camped Those spots were already taken, but I still could camp in front of ocean view.
Because of location which is near by Shimanami Kaido high way, I was worried about sound. However, I was able to camp with great wave sound from the sea.
When I camped there, a lot of solo campers were there. Only one group of campers I could see. Feel easy to come here if you are solo campers!
Ways to Go from Shimanami Kaido and Details
As I explained, Michikajima is only able to get from Hakata-Oshima bridge. Also, there is no access of ways for cars and mortar cycles, so only walker, biker, and 50cc mortar cycles are able to come to the island.
You need to go to Hakata-Ohshima bridge first. People ride 50cc mortar cycles need to put your money into the box located on the bridge. Wakers and bikers can just head to the bridge(it’s free). On the middle way of the bridge, you can see there is Michikajima. You able to get there at middle of the bridge as well.
*Just caution, cars and mortar bikes over 50cc are not allowed to go to Michikajima, so if you have a car and want to go to the island, then you need to park your vehicle to either Hakatajima or Oshima and walk up to the Michikajima.
After a whale you head to middle of the bridge, you can easily see how you can get to Michikajima by walk and bikes
②At the middle of the bridge, there is sign that state the direction of Michikajima. You won’t be lost for sure. To get to the camp site, you need to follow the way, then you can see camp site at the end of the way. some of the elevation there, so bikers might feel hard to go back to bridge.
There is other features except a camp site such as places for BBQ and a tunnel. You should spend a time for exploring the island.
fees and start for rental bicyclesThere are some rental bicycle shops around Shimanami Kaido, but I reccomend Shimanami rental cycle. The first reason is their convenience. They have 10 terminals to rent bicycles and you can rent/return at any terminals.
Also, its price is reasonable which is 2000/day. You need to pay deposit for 1100 yen, but it will be back to you if you returned bicycle to same place you rented.
Their terminals are on both side of Onomich city and Imabari city. Check their website here!
Tips and my thought after camping
At the last, my thought of Michikajima camp site is that it’s a campsite for advanced people.
The first reason for is access. Because of limited access, you need to come by bikes or walk basically which mean you need to get your stuff compacted
For beginners, it will be challenging to chose your right gears. light gears are also expensive as special gears and extreme camping.
The campsite is not that huge. so some noise around people might be listened and toilet is not that clean as you might expected to other campsite.
However there are those cons, this is still great campsite for people like adventure and outdoors. if you are backpacking, camping around japan, you should come to the unique island.
Caution①Just be careful about arriving time. As same for other campsites, you need to come earlier to set your tent up. This Michikajima is not a big site, so come earlier to take a best position. Otherwise, it will be unnecessary
Caution②Try to get foods before you arrive. There are no stores around this island. Therefore you should get foods at least. As a reminder, don’t leave your gears and stuffs. Watch your stuffs when you camp.
Caution③Do not camp on the beach. Water level is coming up for 100%. The sea will be T low tide when sun is up, but it will rise up on the night time.
I talked about difficulty of access, but that is one of a feature that advanced campers love. If you feel bored to camp, check here and get some interesting experience!
That was all about Michikajima and camp site . If you are interested in other outdoor information in Japan, I would let you see other articles.
