Bromptoneering or Bust

Travel related posts

Winter is coming to Tokyo

Posted on by helenhmk

While the forecast for the next week in Tokyo highlights the cooler temps are beginning to set in… Our last Monday in Tokyo was a high of 20 degrees. It was pleasantly sunny and warm.

We finished packing (arugh… always painful because it takes a long time), went for a walk, and enjoyed a lovely lunch with our friends in Hibya Midtown. Oh.. the chocolate mousse!!

From there we thought about seeing a view of Mt Fuji from Bunkyo Council but it was closed for renovations for the 12-15 months. In the end we headed to our favourite local garden Koishikawa Korakuen. The autumn leaves were stunning.

We were able to enjoy one last coffee, before heading to the airport, with one of our long time Japanese friends.

Overall… was it a great trip… yes, loved it as always. We really value the friends we’ve made in Japan over the years (both Brompton and non cycling friends), and you’ve made our experiences in Japan richer – thank you… and hopefully we will see you next year 🙌

People often ask.. what’s the best time to come… autumn, it’s really the best season in Japan.

Croissants

Posted on by helenhmk

On the ride back to the port on Awaji island, we stopped at SaVa Bakery. Thankfully it was after the highest elevation point.. so we had definitely earned our stop.

It was great that it was open on Sunday morning… fabulous! While my reaction may of been ride impacted… the croissant itself was flaky, and butter, airy and and oh so perfect. If I lived on the island I would cycle here… better tasting than most places in Adelaide.

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Cycling Awajishima…

Posted on by helenhmk

We spent the last two days cycling half of Awaji island. I would suggest it more for experienced cyclist based on some of the roads being the main highway around the island and you need to be consistent and hold your line. The majority of the time it was great.

While cycling around the island is promoted – it’s not the same as the Shimanami Kadio. There isn’t always the space on the road and if you are not an experienced cyclist you won’t enjoy it. Although there were only a couple of spots we didn’t enjoy, thankfully they were short.

Over the last two days we really enjoyed the rides on both days, as I had planed the routes maximising the side streets which are quiet. This is where the real joy of cycling through local neighbourhoods ca be experienced. You see gardens, little shops and people going about their daily life. We stopped at a few coffee shops and places for lunch along the way. Here are photos from the two days:

Last 36 hours in Japan

Posted on by helenhmk

Morning! – this is today’s view (so far).

Today we ride 60km to the port at Iwaya on Awaji Island. It’s a large island that we’ve only cycled part of… but we have to come home. After the 60km we catch a ferry, ride to the Shinkansen station, where we catch one back to Tokyo.

I’m guessing it’s time to get up and get going…

Taking the bus

Posted on by helenhmk

We left Imabari by bus to get to Fukuyama for the Shinkansen to Kobe… and it was fabulous. It’s not often you would say that about a bus ride, but I am.

Having spent the last few days cycling the Shimanami Kaido, it’s a highlight as you get to relive the bridges and the scenery you’ve passed through from another perspective.

The ride takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs $28 (pay as you leave the bus), and its bus stop 2 from the Imabari bus station… which thankfully was in front of our hotel.

Here’s a short video taken through the window of the bus – yeah qualities a little dodgy but it helps to show perspective. It reminds me how amazing the ride was.. and we’ve now cycled this route four times – it truly is one of the best cycling routes of all time.

I’ll admit these photos are pretty average … but hey they were taken from the window of a bus.

Once we got off the bus.. thankfully we had enough time for a quick coffee before caching the Shinkansen.

Bears…

Posted on by helenhmk

There is a lot in the media about ‘bears’ in Japan… including the story today on the news about one running onto an airport runway in the Iwate prefecture. So much so there are a number of tourists who buy ‘bear spray’ when visiting the country (previous version had a typo.. darn auto type!). Strongly suggest anyone do research if bears are in the area you’re travelling to Japan if it’s really required.

There are no bears where we have been this trip. Unless you count this art object…