Third Time's a Charm - The Idiot Returns to Japan

[Noel Mugavin]

Following a soak in the hotel onsen, back on the bike to chase a sunset at of course, Sunset Beach
Setting off from town

There's quite a large campsite at Sunset Beach, only 1 tent set up, a young Australian couple. Big group of young walkers came through, backpacks and camping gear strung upon their bodies, stopped for about 10 minutes then set off again.








Back toward Setoda and didn't seem to be too many restaurants and definitely no konbinis. Decided to head back to the more built-up area to hopefully find something. Did notice 3 supermarkets in close proximity to each other on the main drag earlier in the day, and fortunately all 3 were open. Grabbed some veggies and a chicken breast to make a salad then made the journey back with an entirely insufficient bike light.
All ended well, got back safely , locked the bike and the day was done

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Awake and checked on the bike from the window. All good.

The yuagari, or after bath lounge

Reception, onsen entrance to the left and right

Hotel exterior, lower roofed building is the onsen, rooms in the higher pitched roof


Early morning walk

There's a temple on the hill at the rear of the hotel, so of course, that's where I was headed

 

[trendwhore]

Awesome, love the photos!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The view was well worth the vertigo inducing steep staircase at the base of the hill

Certain points around the area were sign posted as points of famous Japanese sketchings



On the descent at the back of the hill, had views of the temple I was too cheap to go into the day before




Back to the hotel to checkout, and to a cafe a few doors down where hotel guests get their provided breakfast - chicken and cheese melt and an iced green tea.
On the road at about 8.30, with about 45km in front of me.
Not long until I was at the first bridge of the day


Another fairly easy ascent and some more magnificent views.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Half-way across Ikuchi Bridge and I entered Ehime Prefecture

Toward the end of the bridge lady in front of me had a bit of trouble with her mudguard having a bit of a malfunction. Off my bike and a bit of a demolition job on the mudguard and we were both on our way.

Cyclist's Sanctuary is just some shops and a couple of very pleasant photo spots



It was only a very short and flat 15-20 minute cruise along Omishima Island

On to the least impressive of the bridges. Did however ride amongst a grove of blooming sukura on the incline though.





Pleasant surprise on Hakata Island, was an all downhill ride. Stopped at Family Mart to grab some coffee and a chicken breast to go with the veggies I still had fro the night before, and had myself a bit of a rest and a picnic on Hakata Beach Recreation Park.
Next to put my rubbish in the bin and on my way. However, it's Japan, so no bin. Remainder of my ride had a plastic bag full of rubbish tied on to my backpack, fluttering in the breeze.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

2nd last bridge









Oshima had the biggest challenge climb wise, 5 degrees over 2km, but again it was quite easily completed. Most of the island was a downhill though. Bigger challenge on this route if you went from Imabari to Onomichi.

And the first sighting of the monster - 4 km of the Kurashima Kaikyo Bridge
Stopped at the Yoshiumi Iki-iIki-kan roadside station for a quick rest before the last leg of the ride

 

[Cazwa]

I love Japan. One of my favourite countries. Architecture, food, culture, people. Not to mention a great ski location.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Nice calm water by the base of the bridge






About 3/5th's of the way across you can jump on an elevator down to Umashima, which I did. BIt of a leisurely pedal around, quite a few areas where you're not allowed to go. Small little community, and a largish hotel and glamping area.



And of course, a shrine

Beach to the side of the shrine, BBQ deck set up for hotel guests
Imabari in the distance, didn't know it at the time, but the tall building in the middle of the photo was my hotel.

Umashima from above



The end of the bridge at Sunrise Itoyama, still 10km's or so to the end of the ride

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The last 10km's of the ride were quite unpleasant. Heavy traffic, and Imabari is certainly no beauty either. Ended up riding on the footpath, with all the inherent issues that has in a built up area.
My original plan was to check in to the hotel, have a bit of a rest then ride back out to the Oshima side of the Kurashima Kaikyo to get some sunset shots. After riding through Imabari though, that plan was out the window. Lots of cloud cover as well, so didn't feel all that bad.
JR Imabari suddenly loomed on the left and the blue line ended as abruptly and that was the end of my ride.






10 minute or so walk to the hotel, quite a spacious room, bag had already been delivered to the room. Room was about $100 for the night.



View from my room


Bit of a rest then out to explore.
The quite grand lobby


The exterior

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Not the most charming of towns, Imabari. Castle has some pleasant spots though.










Tried hard to find something else, but to no avail.


Dinner was at a yakitori place next door to the hotel, another early night

 

[craven morehead]

10 days before I take off, 3 years between drinks. Bit on the road less travelled this time round; Shikoku, cycling the Shimanami Kaido, wandering the southern tip of Kii Peninsula, ryokan-ing in Yamagata Prefecture, driving the Sanriku Coast, and a visit to a couple of little towns in Aomori. Looking forward to being back on the horse.

Dialling in just now

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Hotel garden was off limits


Went for an early morning stroll to see if Imabari scrubbed up a bit better in the morning.
It didn't.

Couple of soft boiled eggs and a horrible coffee from 711, even worse when I didn't put the lid on properly and suffered the consequent spillage down the front of my shirt.
Time to head off to Matsuyama on the Ltd Exp Shiokaze

Plenty of leg room on the 35 minute ride

JR Matsuyama Station

20 minute walk or so to the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel. View of Matsuyama Castle along the way
Ehime Prefectural Government Office, over the road from the hotel and at the entrance of the castle grounds


Cherry Tree grove in the castle park grounds




There's a ropeway up to the castle, or you can take the hard way up some steps. I took the steps

 

[rbjhan]

Did you buy some Imabari towels?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

No towels, did have a quick look in the dedicated towel shop in the hotel forecourt
As the climb ascends, you get some nice views

The walk's not without its dangers

Forest cover kept me somewhat cool

It was tough work

 

[Noel Mugavin]

500yen for entry into the castle.
Immediately challenged with the near vertical ladder. View from the top at the end of the castle tour. Lot more challenging going down than up.

Some very interesting displays. highlighted for me by the samurai armour and some amazing looking swords




Some great views as well





Safety first


More views

 

[Noel Mugavin]

After the tough slog uphill, thought I deserved to take it easy via chairlift on the way down

A couple of little art displays at the chairlift/ropeway base station. Quite liked this one
Entrance to the ropeway station

Next goal was to hoof it across town to Dogo Onsen. Was a good half an hour walk, probably a better option would have been to jump on a tram

Near my goal when I reached Dogo Park


This little fella was spoilt rotten by an obachan hand feeding him fish




5 minute walk from Dogo Park, to be confronted by this


At least they apologised

 

[Noel Mugavin]

From the front


Bit of a wander around the Dogo area, bit of a crowd around what seems to be the Dogo version of the Glockenspiel

Was fading, so jumped on a tram to head to the hotel, check in and have a nana nap. Old fella on the tram was keen to strike up a conversation. Talked about this and that, told me he was born in China prior to the break out of WWII. Absolutely fabulous looking human for someone at least well into their eighties.
Had a quick bite in a coffee shop, then checked in.




Had dinner at a steak place, the highlight being my successful handling of a creme caramel with chopsticks. Bit of a wander around, and the off to bed.

 

[rbjhan]

I'm planning a Shikoku/Kyushu trip later this year.
Following with great interest!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Up early, nice sunny day, view from the hotel window

Out and about and extremely difficult to find a decent coffee before 7.
Contemplating what I was going to do for the day, at some stage had to get to Osaka. Had the thought of getting there and finding a driving range, Sound plan, until I reached to put my shoes back on and got a nasty message from my back. Ah well, get moving see how we go.
Checked out and made the walk to Mtsuyama Station.







Ltd Exp Shiokaze was already at the station with lots of full carriages. Kept moving up the platform until I Found a relatively empty carriage. Plenty of room, all good, until the announcement came over saying the train would separate further up the line. And of course, I was in the wrong carriage.
Moved to where I was supposed to be, and standing only. Plenty got off at Imabari and had a seat from there on to Okayama.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Transfer to the Shinkansen at Okayama


Fairly full train, stood until Himeji, then had a seat after there.
About 2 o'clock when I arrived at Shin-Osaka, then made another error when I went to drop my bags at APA Ekimae. Soon discovered I had actually booked at APA Ekiminami, so trudged back through the station to the south exit and to the right hotel. Back to the station and reserved my seat for the next day, and was then able to go back tot he hotel and check-in.
Regular APA, small room, comfortable bed, uncomfortable pillow, and an underrated feature, they have great pens. Always make sure I take the room pen from APA hotels.



Had a bit of a rest, then out late afternoon. Had a curry at the Shin-Osaka, then off to Namba. Quite crowded around the Glico Man sign, not a hell of a lot of caucasian tourists though.
Wandered, took in the sights and sounds before back to the hotel