WAKKA

WAKKA exceeded our expectations in every way.
The cycling support is outstanding. Having our luggage transferred ahead and our bikes waiting for us at Onomichi Station made the entire Shimanami Kaido experience completely stress-free. The bikes were excellent, comfortable, well-maintained, and a pleasure to ride for the whole route.
The Residence itself was fantastic. Spacious, beautifully designed, and incredibly comfortable after a long day on the bike. One feature that deserves special mention is the washer-dryer. It might sound like a small thing, but during a multi-day cycling trip, being able to wash and dry our clothes overnight was an absolute luxury and one of the most appreciated amenities of our entire journey.
The hospitality was exceptional. The staff were warm, thoughtful, and genuinely passionate about helping guests enjoy the region. As a lovely bonus, they even provided us with complimentary tickets to the onsen next door, which was the perfect way to relax after a day of cycling.
What makes WAKKA special is that they’ve thought of everything. From the cycling logistics to the accommodation and little touches that make guests feel cared for, everything is designed to make your trip effortless and memorable.
If we ever cycle the Shimanami Kaido again, there is no question where we’ll stay. WAKKA isn’t just accommodation, it’s part of what made the trip unforgettable.
Note: We met a really cute cat in the property. She is completely harmless and very shy.

WAKKA was easily one of the best stays of our trip and exceeded our expectations in every way.
The cycling support is outstanding. Having our luggage transferred ahead and our bikes waiting for us at Onomichi Station made the entire Shimanami Kaido experience completely stress-free. The bikes were excellent, comfortable, well-maintained, and a pleasure to ride for the whole route.
The Residence itself was fantastic. Spacious, beautifully designed, and incredibly comfortable after a long day on the bike. One feature that deserves special mention is the washer-dryer. It might sound like a small thing, but during a multi-day cycling trip, being able to wash and dry our clothes overnight was an absolute luxury and one of the most appreciated amenities of our entire journey.
The hospitality was exceptional. The staff were warm, thoughtful, and genuinely passionate about helping guests enjoy the region. As a lovely bonus, they even provided us with complimentary tickets to the onsen next door, which was the perfect way to relax after a day of cycling.
What makes WAKKA special is that they’ve thought of everything. From the cycling logistics to the accommodation and little touches that make guests feel cared for, everything is designed to make your trip effortless and memorable.
If we ever cycle the Shimanami Kaido again, there is no question where we’ll stay. WAKKA isn’t just accommodation, it’s part of what made the trip unforgettable.

We decided to spend a night in Wakka during our journey along Shimanami Kaido, and it turned out to be an incredible decision! From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. They served us refreshing welcome drinks and then guided us to our amazing tent stay. The room was spacious, clean, and well-equipped with all the amenities we needed during our stay.
There was also an outdoor area with comfortable camp chairs where we could relax or enjoy the beautiful sunset. Although the toilet and shower facilities were shared, they were incredibly clean and comfortable. To make our stay even more enjoyable, the staff went above and beyond by helping us reserve a table at a local restaurant across the street. The restaurant served delicious local cuisine that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Our room included breakfast, which was fresh and delicious, and their coffee was simply divine! We had an amazing time in Wakka and highly recommend this incredible place to anyone who wants to experience its charm and beauty.

Wakka is the BEST way to experience the Shiminami Kaido.
We rented bikes from Wakka to ride from Imabari to Onomichi with one night at a cabin at Wakka. It's a bit more expensive than other rentals, but it's totally worth it.
Being able to give your bags to Wakka at bike pickup, know they'll safely be in your hotel room before you get there, then ready for pickup at the train station as you return this bikes is wonderful.
The riding is some of the best road riding I've ever done, there is very little traffic, and the drivers are all courteous.
When we picked up the bikes, the Wakka employee went over the map with us and encouraged us to use the "Island Explorer" route vs the regular route and that was a major value add to the trip. If you've got the time and are okay with the extra distance, definitely do the Island Explorer route, even if just for the section on Oshima island.
The included breakfast ended up being a real surprise, it was filling, tasty, and we didn't expect it to be included with the room rate. I would eat dinner before getting to Wakka though as the food onsite, though tasty, has fairly small portions to follow a 60km (or more) day of cycling. Transportation into the town is also decently long trip.
If you can afford the splurge and are wanting to do the Shiminami Kaido, I would 100% recommend using Wakka's service.

Would strongly recommend WAKKA for anyone considering the Shimanami Kaido over two days with e-bikes.
They provided a complete package (including bike drop-off at start point, luggage transfer, accommodation, dinner/breakfast, overnight e-bike charging, a private morning excursion to rabbit island and bike/luggage drop off at end-point) which functioned seamlessly, was very reasonably priced and facilitated a really enjoyable, hassle-free trip.
Prior to arrival, the team were very responsive and accommodating. We stayed in a cottage with a private bathroom which was cute, very comfortable, had all the necessary amenities (including good heating/AC, a strong shower, Imabari towels and nice toiletries) and was the perfect size for a couple. The premium BBQ dinner was also tasty (we chose the option to add local boar), varied and voluminous. The set breakfast was decent. All staff were kind and helpful. This isn’t a luxury five star hotel but is absolutely perfect for its intended purpose.
Thanks for a great trip!

One of the most amazing places we’ve ever stayed at. After biking half the Shimanamikaido this was an amazing refuge.
Check in was seamless and we did not have reservations for dinner so the hotel staff helped suggest us some restaurants and we decided to have dinner close by.
The Wakka staff booked the restaurant across the street which made everything seamless and easy for us.
We also hung out by the cafe and got some drinks. Will definitely come here again, service went above and beyond.

Staying here was the highlight of our Shimanami Kaido cycling experience. We booked the glamping tent along with the ride and deliver service. Wakka's location faces the sea and the view from our glamping tent was gorgeous. The dining experience here was also immaculate. Dinner was a 5-course delight and everything was delicious and exquisite. Breakfast was also hearty. The other amenities like toilet and shower were pristine. There's never too many guests staying at once so it feels very serene and private. Even if you are not cycling the SK, I recommend staying here just for the experience if you are passing through the islands.
The ride and deliver service was also very convenient. You can DIY this yourself though. But the e-bike provided was top-notch.
Overall they are not cheap but you do get what you paid for and Wakka shines in terms of quality and hospitality. If you are doing the SK for the very first time, I highly recommend them!

Great experience at WAKKA. The seaside view is spectacular close to a few restaurants which are nice for lunch and dinner. Staff are friendly and helpful. They spoke good English as well which was nice. The showers are lovely here. It would've been nice to have more options at breakfast as they only offer a continental breakfast but everything else was nice and easy.

I stayed overnight in Wakka — though my expectations were managed as I watched Josh Kwan's vlog about the place so I knew what to expect.
But still, no one in the world can beat the Japanese hospitality, their punctuality and level of service.
I did a door-to-door luggage pickup/delivery and bike rental together with an overnight stay. This service includes a number you can call in case you run into any accidents or issues on the bike. Talk about peace of mind.
It's as if you have a personalised concierge for your stay, upon arrival they arrange your dinner plans and if you want to cycle further on to the night or use their shuttle. As for me, I wanted some quiet time in their cafe/communal space to reflect on the day/trip. The next day, they promptly arrange breakfast when you ask for it to be served. Then you're off to your day 2 of cycling.
I encourage everyone (esp those who do not speak Japanese), to just choose Wakka as it is gaijin (foreigner) friendly.

Daisuke was incredibly helpful before our trip, and was critical in helping us plan a really fun adventure on the Shimanami Kaido! He coordinated our luggage pick up from Onimichi, and brought and served our wonderful dinner to our bungalow. We had a wonderful (though short stay), enjoyed a beautiful sunrise. The accommodations were modern and incredibly comfortable. Plus, the dinner and the breakfast were excellent. Wakka was one of the highlights of our trip.

The perfect sanctuary, especially when you’re riding the Shimanami Kaido as we did.
We stayed at the Residence unit for one night but wished it lasted longer. It is a gorgeously designed space with various seating areas — indoor and outdoors — to enjoy a view of the sea and bridge. We were served tea upon arrival and there was a welcome plate of cheese and fruit in our fridge. The bathroom toiletries had the most relaxing spa-like scents, and the pajamas and quilted coats provided for lounging around were very chic and cozy. The kitchen was fully equipped, including a bag of ground coffee and a French press.
Meals were exceedingly generous in portions, especially by Japanese standards, and everything was so delicious. We had the winter bouillabaisse for dinner. Breakfast was so plentiful that we ended up packing some of it for a picnic lunch later in the day.
Service was wonderful at both the reception and at their restaurant — warm, attentive, and friendly. This was also true of their bike delivery and luggage pickup service. Their staff member who delivered our bikes was kind enough to advise us on the bus service to take at the end of our ride, even going so far as to walk us to the bus stop and directing us to the posted schedule.
They have a free shuttle to the other side of the island where there is an onsen, although there is also an onsen within a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Highly, highly recommend!

We had a very interesting one night at Wakka. When we arrived they could not find our reservation and that is after they emailed us a couple days before confirming our reservation. So the whole checkin process took alot longer than it should have been.
On their website they offered a grilling option for each accommodation unit but when we arrived they said you needed to book beforehand which was not mentioned on their website on the booking page. We would have understood, if it said "bbq (reservation needed) " So when we arrived with our meats and vegetables to cook they said it wasn't available and that they could not do anything else. Now, I've been in hospitality industry for over 17 years with an accommodation property as well, and if you advertise soemthing that you are not able to provide, then you compensate for that, for example let us use the kitchen or provide a meal. Its kind of common sense. After some back and forth they finally were able to provide some sort of solution. The staff that were available did what they could and were friendly but this comes from the management position and only after awhile did someone else besides the normal staff came to us to try and make a solution. 4 stars for the staff but 1 star for management.
The property and location itself is quite nice, right next to the water but communication definitely needs to be worked on as well as whats being advertised on their very own website.

Leading up to our stay, staff was responsive via email and helpful planning. Upon arrival staff could not locate our reservation even though I provided a reservation number. We planned our arrival time to enjoy the sunset on the deck of the cottage, however, check-in took 45 minutes so we missed it.
We bought meat to grill on the BBQ noted on their website as an amenity in the cottage (listed with the refrigerator, hair dryer, kettle, toilet, ect). However, the cottage did not have a grill as advertised. We asked staff if we could use a grill on the property and they said no. We then asked if the chef could grill the meat we had already purchased given the inaccurate advertising on the website considering by this point that was our only dinner option given everything had closed and they said no. After another 45 minutes of further back and forth after the 45 minute check in, they finally agreed to grill the meat,
When we finally showered after dinner, hot water lasted for only 1 shower then became intermittently ice cold for the 2nd shower. The inclusive breakfast was minimal portion size — mainly a salad and a croissant with a spoonful of yogurt and 2 slices of an orange (not nearly enough to fuel a bike ride though they say they are focused on supporting cyclists). Portion was significantly less food than Japanese hotel chains.

Wakka came highly recommended by every resource in my research for my first trip to ride the Shimanami Kaido, and my experience showed why. While pricey, service was excellent, the room was amazing, and the location was wonderful. There were some minor issues though that detracted from a perfect rating.
First off, the positives. Throughout my stay the staff were unfailingly polite and helpful. Check-in was extremely smooth, with a welcome drink, and a staff member personally showing me to my glamping tent and explaining everything about the hotel amenities. They were also very helpful with arranging transport for my bags to my next hotel in Imabari.
The tent was awesome with two very comfy beds, strong AC, and plenty of room to stretch out especially for a solo cyclist. Unfortunately an earlier thunderstorm took away two of the nice features of the tent – condensation fogged up the window, ruining the great view, and threat of more rain prevented use of the patio area for lounging around. Those were understandable issues though. A bigger problem was the cantankerous door lock that would often not detect the keycard. One time it took me more than five minutes of repeated attempts to get in and I almost stormed to the front desk in anger. Unlike most hotels where you simply wave the card at the reader, this one requires you to press a button first and will time out if it doesn’t get unlocked after a certain duration so it wastes a frustrating amount of time if it doesn’t work.

We stayed here a week ago. Wakka is right by the sea and gives great views of the bay. Our room was well set out with all the usual amenities including padded jackets (for outdoor dining) and blankets. The weather wasn't in our favour, showery and windy. However the staff were friendly, attentive and very helpful so this more than made our stay. The e-bikes they provided were great and certainly up to the task. I can thoroughly recommend this place for an enjoyable experience.

Simply amazing. We went all out and got the bungalow room which was very luxurious. The window is huge and faces the ocean. The dinner included was huge and had a lot of different dishes. Each was delicious and served in our room. Maybe it was the bike ride, but that was the best shower I had the entire trip. Speaking of bike ride, this is the hotel we stayed at for our halfway point between Onomochi and Imabari. The breakfast the next morning was also fantastic. Service is next level. I can't say enough good things about this place. Spend as much time as you can here before checking out. Very serene and peaceful.

Exceptional spot to stay if you’re riding the Shimanami Kaido. I rode there from Onomichi on day one. Stayed overnight. Then rode to Imabari and back to Wakka on day two. Then got the boat back on day three. Had a form to myself. Great staff, great food, great everything!