Japan

… 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!

Cycling Chiba – part one

Posted on by kymdt

It’s been a busy few days. I haven’t kept up with my blogging duties as well as Helen has. This one is a little bit out of order. We rode Chiba with our friend Asako-san on the Friday before we left for Kyoto and Nara.

We met Asako-san at Funabashi-Nichidai-Mae Station and rode about 27km the long way around to the Murakami Station. I know my Strava says I rode more – but that’s because the algorithm between Beeline and Strava is a little bit faulty. The route is shown below.

Chiba is a prefecture to the east of Tokyo. It has a population of over 6 million. With its location and population size, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it is an overwhelming urban environment. Our starting point was densely populated area with relatively recent developments – the station opened in 1996. It did not take long before we were riding small roads in a bucolic landscape alongside rivers and fields.

Our first stop involved visiting a friendly Kiso horse called Hii-chan. We were fortunate enough to be allowed to feed Hii-chan some lovely persimmon. It is that season after all. Hii-chan can’t have too many because of the tannin in persimmon. Asako-san told us that:

The kiso horse is the only native bred of Honshu and was used a samurai horse from Heian period through Edo period. [The] Current Population is about 100! With a history of being used for farm and transport, it is characterized by its sturdy build and gentle temperament.

Mr Ohmiya [Hii-chan’s owner]  a horsing racing jockey, and was in the racing industry for over Forty years. He [now] wants to contribute to society through horses. Horse therapy is one of rehabilitation that promotes the improvement or physical and mental function of people with disabilities.

After the delightful stop we continued along the river towards a coffee and lunch stop at a Asako’s local farmer’s market – the Yachiyo Agricultural Exchange Centre. We started off with a coffee from a local coffee roaster – Hira Coffee, strolled through the market (admiring the big daikon and buying some souvenirs for us) and finishing with lunch at “Yachiyo Roadside Station Restaurant” the utilitarian title doesn’t really do justice to the good value food provided to locals by this place.

Just in case you didn’t know… Chiba Peanuts are famous!

What you definitely didn’t know was there Chiba had a coffee plantation. Asako-san told us that:

Japan has traditionally been considered unsuitable for coffee cultivation as it lies outside the coffee belt. However, recent advances in greenhouse cultivation technology have made domestic coffee production possible.

Yachifornia Farm is the first domestic coffee farm in Kanto region, located in Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture. Yachifornia is aiming to popularise domestic coffee and create a community for coffee enthusiasts.

Visitors can engage with coffee in various ways, including a sapling ownership program, harvest and roasting experiences with the farm, and purchasing products made from coffee cherry and coffee leaves.

Helen and I were very impressed by the focus and dedication towards making a successful coffee plantation in Chiba. I was equally surprised by the offering of a “tea” made from coffee leaves. I’d love to go back for one of the hands on experiences.

End of part 1.

Cycling Yumeshima Kaido

Posted on by helenhmk

The Yumeshima Kaido (meaning dream island road) is a smaller route you can ride to explore the Yuge Islands which are connected by bridges and ferry.

It’s a quieter route – but the views are just as stunning. It’s not flat, but you are rewarded with the view…

We circumnavigated Kamijima and stopped at a cafe for a coffee before taking the bridge.

…we also enjoyed onigiri while taking in the view,. The 🍙 was made by the accomodation place from the previous night with the rice we didn’t finish at dinner (food was amazing!).

The islands are known for citrus and salt (let’s not talk about the salt… controversial topic which involves Price in SA and Mexico), so lunch target was a cafe with lime flavoured pork.

After lunch the target was heading towards the other side of the island to catch a ferry and cycle to accommodation in Setoda.

Cycling the in-land sea

Posted on by helenhmk

As a cyclist there is nothing more enjoyable than cycling the islands in the Seto-Inland Sea. This is our fourth time being in this region, and we are varying it a little by cycling the Yumeshima Kaido, and the Shimanami Kaido with one of our Brompton friends who moved here from Tokyo earlier this year.

We caught a couple of trains from Kashihara Monday morning… to meet in time for a fish lunch at Onomichi, before we set off on the ride.

When cycling here on a Monday you will experience places that are closed, or local food delicacy shops of the area which might be sold out (it was a Monday so I can’t complain), but we stopped at a great little spot for afternoon tea which also sold a variety of home wears and Japanese style items (handmade wooden chopsticks rests.. ah!).

As you can see by the pictures, the weather was a delight… and while the route is definitely not flat (they are islands… and to get to the bridges you gotta go up). the scenery is always changing as you reach a corner.

Here was Mondays Route

Distance- 32.4km

Weather – 17 degrees, wind a little cool, but sun was warm!