Japan: Ecliptic Tour

[rushes]

Great report. Looks like a very interesting place.

Thanks!

 

[colin]

I actually stumbled on the local matsuri.... kinda neat.

Kicked off with a strange dance type of parade through.

These guys were quite funny.

Got some cooked meat from these guys. Didn't like it too much, not really sure what it was.

Your standard "catch a goldfish with a paper net" gig.

 

[colin]

In the morning I had a ferry to take to Shikoku. Got up early to get a proper onsen and to check out the Hells.

Shibaseki Onsen I think. Nice one.

This was near some of the Hells. Stopped by one, only had time for that. Went to the Blood Pool Hell (Chi no ike Jigoku). these are strange things, not onsens, but bubbling hot waters. Very gimmicky.

Really an onsen town!

 

[colin]

Saturday morning rolled around. Weather was crap in Kobe. Checking the regional weather, it was crap all over Japan. The original plan was to go to Suzuka and stay the night there with others, but everyone in Kobe/Osaka going canned it. So I decided to spend the day there and go Sunday morning.

Spent the day wandering around Osaka. Had lunch at a cool fish market in Osaka....

Fish tanks everywhere, bunch of tables in the middle and you just eat there. Pretty neat.

This guy was trying to fish out his lunch.

 

[iCruze]

I was stationed in Okinawa a few years back and wasnt sure if I would like to go back to Japan but after this post I would like to see mainland now. I will have to add that to my list. Oh and I totally understand the cooked meat thing, its amazing how dirty it gets around those street vendors and there is never a pigeon around...

 

[colin]

I was stationed in Okinawa a few years back and wasnt sure if I would like to go back to Japan but after this post I would like to see mainland now. I will have to add that to my list. Oh and I totally understand the cooked meat thing, its amazing how dirty it gets around those street vendors and there is never a pigeon around...

I've not yet been to Okinawa, would like to check it out sometime this year if possible. But the mainland is pretty solid for biking. Kyushu and Shikoku my favorites.....

 

[Texan]

Great report. I loved the story and pictures.

What's an onsen?

 

[colin]

My trip continued (and basically finished) with going to the Suzuka 8-tai, the 8 hour endurance race.

I'm going to put that in the racing section to beef things up there.

Click here (mostly work safe, i think)

 

[colin]

Great report. I loved the story and pictures.
What's an onsen?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen

It's a public bath. Lots of hot springs around here, they all list out the chemical content and what it is good for. Basically you go in, get naked, shower by sitting on a little stool, then rinse and jump in the bath. Sometimes there are more than one. More modern ones will have bubbles (jacuzzi style) and saunas, etc. Nice ones have an outdoor bath which is especially cool. Much so in the winter.

Highly recommended, but takes a bit of time for westerners to get used to, regarding walking around with naked dudes everywhere. You do have a small "modesty towel" that you carry around in front.

A handful are co-ed. Most of those require bathing suits, but not all.

 

[MCML]

Domo arrigato.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Colin - You have the best world ride reports hands down. :yahoo: Some old fart named Michael does pretty well in the states.

The interesting places you go and pix are AWESOME!!!! Thanks for sharing. :yahoo:

Keep 'em coming, ride safe.