\n<\/p>\n
EDITOR\u2019S NOTE:<\/span>\u00a0 This CNN Travel series may have adjacent ads by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos, in compliance with our policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scattered across the Seto Inland Sea, the islands of the Geiyo archipelago have long been under the radar. Until 1999, that is, when the final link of the Shimanami Kaido highway opened, connecting Japan\u2019s main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, passing through six small islands.<\/p>\n The planners had the foresight to create a 43-mile (70-kilometer) bicycle path that runs alongside the highway and over its many bridges, a path that has since evolved to become Japan\u2019s most popular long-distance cycling route. And thanks to the islands\u2019 many cultural attractions, diverse dining experiences and the addition of several high-end lodging options, the area now offers a wide range of experiences for all travelers.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the Shimanami Kaido is internationally known for cycling, the deeper appeal of the region lies in everyday island life shaped by the Seto Inland Sea,\u201d says Daisuke Furubayashi, who helps run the WAKKA<\/a> hotel, which also has an onsite caf\u00e9 and cycling support center on Omishima Island.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sea here is characteristically calm, and the islands are home to small working fishing ports and long-established citrus farms. What often stands out to visitors is that tourism coexists with ordinary daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n Located in the heart of the Geiyo Archipelago, about halfway along the highway and bike route, Omishima is the most convenient base for those wanting to spend multiple days in the islands and explore off the main drag. The island is home to several of the Shimanami route\u2019s most iconic sites, including the spectacular Tatara Bridge.<\/p>\n