Cycling Trip Diary for Travelers山大生のサイクリング旅日記

Shooting date：2022/09/28（Wed）　Author：Yamaguchi University, Faculty of Global and Science Studies students

Hello! We are students at the Faculty of Global Science and Studies at Yamaguchi University.
We are cooperating with the Sports Field Yamaguchi Promotion Council to spread the attractions of Yamaguchi Prefecture to foreigners.
As part of this project, we are uploading videos of cycling in various areas of Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the web articles will include detailed useful information that we could not provide in the videos.

The video is here　↓

This time, we rode bicycles on the Tsunoshima Bridge Blue Ocean Sea Route, a cycling course recommended by the Sports Field Yamaguchi Promotion Council from Shimonoseki City to Nagato City! This is a cycling course where you can enjoy the history and culture of Japan as well as the magnificent scenery surrounded by nature such as the sea and mountains.

This cycling tour starts from Shin-Shimonoseki Station.
Here is how to get to Shin-Shimonoseki Station　↓

The foreigner who accompanied us on this day’s cycling trip was Adrian. He is an exchange student at Yamaguchi University from America. He loves sports, is full of curiosity, and has a wonderful smile!

Click here for the cycle route, time schedule and course data for this time　↓

Cycle route Google map

Course data

Ⓐ Shin‐Shimonoseki Station [Departure time 9:00 A.M. Start]

Shin-Shimonoseki Station is a station where the Shinkansen passes, so access from other prefectures such as Fukuoka and Hiroshima is easy.
There is also a cycle pit at the west exit of the station (see photo on the bottom right), so even those who come to the station can assemble their bicycles without worry.

※Click here for details of the cycle pit ↓
http://cycleken-yamaguchi.com/support/cycle-pit.html

Here are some things to keep in mind when traveling by JR. It is possible to bring a bicycle on the train, but please be aware of the following two points.

• Dismantled and stored in a special bag or foldable bicycles folded and stored in a special bag
• Items with a maximum total of 3 sides of 250 cm or less and a weight of 30kg or less (However, items exceeding 2m in length cannot be carried on board.)

In addition to the points above, there are two other points to keep in mind when traveling on the Shinkansen.

• If the total of the three sides is 160 cm or more and 250 cm or less, make an advance reservation for a “seat with an oversized baggage area” (can be purchased online or at ticket vending machines at stations)
• If you bring oversized luggage onto the train without making a reservation in advance, pay a specified handling fee of 1,000 yen and store the luggage in the location designated by the crew.
  ※Bicycles are exempt from the above rules, but if you wish to use the seats with an oversized baggage area, you must make a reservation in advance.

Let’s head to our first destination, Bishanohana!!

Riding a bicycle on the westernmost road of Honshu, The Cross-Road of KAZANAMI before heading to Bishanohana.
The Cross-Road of KAZANAMI was derived from the road where the wind of nature and the waves of history come together.

When we entered The Cross-Road of KAZANAMI, we saw a large dinosaur mural. This mural was painted with a high pressure washer.
This is an area called Yoshimo, and this picture was drawn because the oldest dinosaur footprint fossil in Japan was excavated on the Yoshimo coast.

After passing through the murals and along the coast, a steep slope of 1.4 km appears. According to the actual data, it is a slope with a maximum gradient of 12%.
Sometimes we thought it’s tough because we just kept climbing, but the feeling of accomplishment after reaching the top was the best.
We hope that cyclists will challenge this slope and feel a sense of accomplishment after completing the climb.

Ⓑ Bishanohana [Arrival time 10:00 A.M. Distance 17.8km]

Overcome the steep slope and arrive at Bishanohana!
This is a famous scenic spot as the westernmost point of Honshu.
A certificate of arrival to commemorate your visit can be issued (100 yen).

Mr. Adrian felt a sense of accomplishment, The view was great and was a surprising reward for the bike ride up.

We went down the hill and ran the wind wave crossroad again.
Cluster amaryllis (Higanbana) brightened the color of the road.

Cluster amaryllis is a flower that blooms along roadsides and footpaths between rice fields from late summer to autumn in Japan. Not only red but also various colors such as white flowers can be seen.

Ⓒ Kawatana Onsen Home of Kawara Soba Takase (Minami Honkan)[Arrival time 11:10 A.M. Distance 32.5km]

After running through the city and going up the hill, we arrived at Shimonoseki’s specialty Kawara Soba Takase!
We can enjoy kawara soba, a local dish of Yamaguchi prefecture, at the south main building.

Kawara soba is a local dish of Yamaguchi Prefecture that originated from the story that soldiers of the Satsuma army, who surrounded Kumamoto Castle during the Seinan War in 1877, used roof tiles to grill meat and wild herbs.
Kawara soba is 1,320 yen per person.
The smell of tea soba whetted the appetite. The part of the soba that was in contact with the roof tile was crispy, and we enjoyed the texture. Another feature of Kawara Soba is that we can enjoy various flavors by changing the taste with lemon and grated maple leaves.
Adrian said Kawara Soba is a delicious noodle dish with an interesting history.

The highlight of this course is the view of the coastal road.
The flat road continues, so it is very easy to run, and you can fully enjoy the seascape.

Ⓓ Tsunoshima Bridge [Arrival time 2:00 P.M. Distance 62.3 km]

We arrived at Tsunoshima Bridge, a popular spot in Yamaguchi that was featured in a Japanese car commercial.
The length of the bridge is 1,780m! Nothing can replace the exhilarating feeling of driving in a straight line over the cobalt blue sea.
Adrian said, “It was a great ride along the bridge and offered a great view of the ocean and island.”

About 35 km left until the goal! We ran down Minori Road from here.
Minori Road is a wide-area agricultural road that runs from east to west in Nagato City, and is a beautiful paved road.
Cycling while enjoying the scenery of the beautiful yellow-green ears of rice spreading all over is very pleasant. The road has many ups and downs, but it is very easy to run because there are few traffic lights.

Ⓔ Taineiji Temple [Arrival time 4:20 P.M. Distance 100.9km]

Drive about 39 km from Tsunoshima Bridge and arrive at Taineiji Temple.
This is a historic temple founded in 1410.
Nagato Yumoto Onsen was discovered in 1427 by Joan Shuzen, a priest of Taineiji Temple, after being told by Sumiyoshi Daimyojin.
It is also said to be the final place of the Ouchi clan, who flourished in Yamaguchi during the Muromachi period (1336-1568)

Taineiji is a temple with a solemn Japanese atmosphere that incorporates nature. This is also a famous place for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and we can enjoy beautiful scenery depending on the season. (Bottom right photo taken on another day)
Mr. Adrian commented, “It was a nice spot to enjoy the natural atmosphere and enjoy Japanese culture.

Ⓕ Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring [Arrival time 5:40 P.M. Distance 102.3 km]

We arrived at the final spot.
Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring is a perfect place to visit for a cycling trip that also serves as an overnight stay, as there are many lodging facilities.
Also here at Yumoto Hot Spring is the Otozure Footbath (see photo on the right) where you can experience footbaths and handbaths for free. We healed the tiredness of cycling here.
A nice spot to end the trip. It was relaxing and had a great atmosphere.

At the end…

This course will not only give you the exhilarating feeling of cycling along the open sea and the sense of accomplishment of climbing a steep slope, but also the taste of Japan, such as enjoying local cuisine and visiting temples and shrines!
We want you to experience Japan’s nature, food culture, and history at Tsunoshima Bridge Blue Ocean Sea Route.

Additional Information

Access from Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring to Shinkansen Stations

For your reference, we will introduce two methods, one by train from Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring Station and the other by bicycle from Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring.

Train

We will introduce how to access from Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring Station to the stations where the Shinkansen passes (Asa Station, Shin-Shimonoseki Station, Shin-Yamaguchi Station).

Bicycle

The course introduced this time is a course that goes from Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring to Shin-Yamaguchi Station via Akiyoshidai.

If you want to enjoy cycling in Akiyoshidai more, you can see the cycling information of Akiyoshidai from the link below. This is the course we actually ran.
The sense of freedom of cycling on the vast karst plateau is the best. If you want to enjoy not only the seaside but also the mountains surrounded by greenery, please give it a try.

Cycling Trip Diary for Travelers　No.2 Cycling in Akiyoshidai ～Cycling through the Karst Road