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.

Cycling Chiba – Part 2

Posted on by kymdt

Our ride in Chiba’s country side continued as we winded our away country paths between farms and adjacent to rivers. Our next stop was the Sakura Lavenderland.

While it wasn’t the season for lavender’s to flower – in the adjacent fields there certainly were some pretty flowers to be seen. Asako-san told us that:

In Japan the lavender fields of Furano in Hokkaido are famous. Therefore, at Sakura Lavenderland soil improvement was carried out to help lavender adapt to the hot and humid climate of Chiba Pretecture, and planting began in spring of 2003. Currently, the 13,600-square-meter farm cultivates tour varieties totaling 13,600 lavender plants.

Our next stop on a Chiba Cycling tour was the former Sakura City Shizu Elementary School (Aosuge Branch). It was designated a tangible cultural property in 2020. Asako-san told us that:

Aosuge Branch School is a single story wooden schoolhouse with a tile roof, built in 1955. (twas preserved even after ceasing to function as a branch school, retaining much of its original appearance.
This small wooden school building features a staff room beside the entrance, with just two classrooms arranged along a single corridor. Despite being a post World War II structure, it incorporates design elements from prewar wooden school building such as clapboard siding and wooden fittings.

We rounded out this part of the ride with a delightful afternoon tea spot at Cafe Hiyori.

Those of you who have followed this blog for while would know that Helen loves to visit a library or two. This visit was no different. Asako-san was prepared to show us the local Yachiyo City Public Library. Fortunately, there is a no photos policy in the library, you only get to see a small number of photos of the outside of the library. Asako-san told us that:

Yachiyo Public Library has over 350 seats. This includes private rooms and study rooms, providing a comfortable environment for studying. Located along the Shinkawa river, it was built as a lifelong learning hub, designed around the concept of “a place for learning, relaxation, gathering, and information.” Its bright space incorporates abundant natural light. Children’s books are placed near the entrance, with general and reference books arranged further inside, creating a layout suited to different age groups.

We would like to thank Asako-san and the kind people in Chiba Prefecture we met on this ride. It was truly an informative and magical experience.

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…

… to Imabari! Pt 2

Posted on by helenhmk

After enjoying the ice cream we left Hakata beach and headed for the Hakata- Oshima bridge. Around this point there are two rivers that come together (confluence) and if you looks closely at the water you can see the whirlpools.

From the bridge we headed on to Oshima island. While the island features the highest elevation point along the ride we took a diversion and decided to go around the island with a different view.

We stopped to look at a rose garden…. While being at the end of the season still had blooms out.

From here we passed through farms, port areas until the final bridge, Kurushima (or bridges) came into view.

The last bridge is just over 4km long – and we were pleased to have limited wind. When on this bridge you had a sense of achievement for coming as far as you have, and sadness as you know your near the end of the ride.

This area is a significant shipping area.. and there are many ships which use this passage for freight.

We made a brief stop at the cyclist station for a photo with the sign – we had missed it last time (it’s not we’ll sign posted) for the required end of ride picture before the final few kilometres to the city of Imabari.

The ride down to Imabari if you’re following the blue line does have a little traffic… so instead we took a different route which was quieter and more enjoyable, before making it to the hotel.

Ride details

Kilometres cycling – 52.09 km (that’s what Strava tells me)

Elevation gain – 332

Walking – 16,285

… and it was truly a fabulous ride, and so pleased to have experienced it again. Ah.

Setoda to Imabari

Posted on by helenhmk

A great day was had cycling to Imabari. Weather was overcast, but limited wind.

Just before going over the bridge, I stopped at my favourite sign – wild boar!

The bridges along the Shimanami Kaido are a wonderous thing. The approaching angles are really good for cyclists… even if you don’t have a battery, if you can’t cycle there is always walking. At the first lookout point of the bridge we came another Brompton rider from Korea who had cycled from Fukuoka… wow! Then we headed over the bridge, with a brief stop to scare away the dragons and on to the Ehime prefecture.

We stopped at the Tatara Cyclist Station for one of the best views, mandarin drink while taking in the view.

Then we headed for an Italian lunch spot near shopping yard (you can get super close to the ships!)… which was super tasty. We then went on to have an ocean at a nearby spot…with many photo opportunities for the next bridge.

Here we’re are with our Bromptons waiting for the Brompton Lovers meeting…which is held in May (generally every year)… last year the had 222 Brompton owners. We would have a long wait so we continued…

.. more in part two!