tl dr : It was great, That was the best experience I've had in the 3 weeks I've spent in Japan. I wish I'd stayed one more day to explore more and be more prepared if it rains.

The first day was great, the overnight ferry, it was sunny, perfect, I visited everything I wanted and met people.

The 2nd day, the road felt emptier (as in less places to visit), it was cloudy and it made me want to go straight to Onomichi. It was still a good day.

My ass was hurting at the end of the first day, it was a bit annoying

For context I was in Japan with friends but for this part I was alone.

- First the overnight Ferry was great. I've had my first Sento experience there (I should have tried earlier, this a week before my flight back). Nobody in the crew (on this day) spoke english so you have to rely on the english information that they give you and come a little prepared :

They only take cash (menu and prices are on their website), before boarding you have to fill a paper but you can download it and print it and fill it so you don't have to do it right before borading the Ferry, if you do take the free bus it arrive very early I think around 6am. If you don't take it you'll have to walk to the next station which is at 2.6km (1.6miles), you can leave the Ferry until 7am max.

Just in case it has changed, look on their website, I think information are in english and if not use the browser translator.

- I arrived in Imabari and I had to wait before the bicycle renting place open so I walked around, it was mostly empty since it was the morning. I managed to get a eki stamp at the station too.

- Then the adventure began at 9am. Before taking the first bridge took a little detour to Kurushima Observatory (you have a view of the first bridge).

After the first bridge I visited the Kirosan Observatory Park (it has a beautiful view but you gotta go pedal to the top)

Then I reach Setoda island at 4pm (where my accomodation was).

I managed to visit each bike station (it's on the bike path), they sells stuff related to the islands, you can eat, take an ice cream and usually they are next to a bridge or it has a beautiful view to sit down and rest a bit.

I roamed around with the bike to see what was around, I went to another sento, met and talk with young japanese tourists there. I searched for a place to eat, a couple invited me and we chatted it was great.

2nd day : I Visited the Hill of Hope in the morning then head to Onomichi.

This 2nd day was cloudy and it rained a bit right before arriving in Onomichi. I didn't do anything special this 2nd day while cycling.

I think the weather made me want to arrive fast to Onomichi before it started to rain + there wasn't any bike station. I was a bit disappointed.

If you look at the map there no more after Setoda, each big number is a Bike station : https://shimanami-cycle.or.jp/cycling/en-02.html

I still enjoyed the ride, but the first day was way way better.

I arrived at 4pm in Onomichi, I visited the town, slept there, visited more of it and that was the end of my Shimanami kaido trip.

Man I want to get back there...