Japan: Western Honshu Tour - March 19-27

[colin]

I road Eric's RT around for a bit. Nice bike, pretty easy to move around. Riding that, I've discovered what it is like to have a useful windscreen (nice and quiet, unlike my stock FJR screen), and what a comfy seat means. Sitting on that was pretty comfy for my butt, compared to my FJR (and really, to any other bike I've had). I suppose there is something to the FJR aftermarket scene!

 

[colin]

Hurting to find somewhere to eat on these islands, pretty bare. Found some random udon/ramen labeled shop and went in. The lady seemed a bit annoyed that we interrupted Japan/Korea WBC (watched the 6th and 7th innings while there).

But man, that lady made some mean food!

I had the champon, which was great.

(champon is a ramen with a bunch of 'stuff' in it. Known to be a mix of things, made famous in Nagasaki. Also a term that can be used for people....like me....)

 

[colin]

More island pics....

These bamboo trees get big!

Dinner was great in Hiroshima. A place I went to a couple years ago called Zucchini, Spanish food. Was the only place open during the new years' holiday back then. Nice change from Japanese food all the time! Near the a-bomb dome.

 

[colin]

Day 6.....

the Route.

Take the highway and get the heck out of Hiroshima and find those islands that are between Fukuyama (福山), Honshu and Imabari (今治), Shikoku.

We powered through to the southernmost island Oshima (大島) on the Shimanami kaido (しまなみ海道), which is a toll road, and then crawled back through all of them!

 

[colin]

Weather was a little chilly. Rained a bit in the middle, but overall a nice day.

This is the last bridge that we didn' cross...to shikoku. The view here is from Oshima (大島)

Found this recommended ramen place, I had shio-ramen with extra pork!

 

[colin]

Weather cleared up after lunch....

View here from Omishima (大三島) to Namaguchishima (生口島) [my kanji reading may be wrong on these]

Nice house here with an orange grove in front of it.

Last bridge heading into Innoshima (因島). The guys had enough of these islands and it was getting a bit late. i did a quick run around it and met up with them in Fukuyama.

familiar face....

Some other shots, riding around....

-end of day 6....

 

[colin]

Last good riding day before dropping off rentals and going home....

This was a pretty chilly ride, cold and windy, through the mountains to get to Fukiya Village. The long way....

 

[colin]

Here are some more road pics. got a bit interesting on a detour onto the smaller "green" roads in the map book.

Took 110, kinda neat with leftover snow around.

We continued to go further up, now the snow went from being pretty to being in the way!

And got worse. We had to sent a recon patrol up front to scope out the roads. Consulting the mapple, we were basically at the peak on the road (820m-ish). Decided to push on through, even though we'd be coming down on the north-ish side. Slow corners, feet out, feathering the clutch..... and we got down. Big touring bikes work pretty OK in the snow, but certainly not my favorite choice of ride in the white slush....

 

[colin]

Stayed at this nice house in a place called Fukiya. Some oldy-town.

 

[Tyler]

Wow!! What a great story/thread... makes me wanna ride and makes me hungry too! :clapping:

 

[colin]

Day 8. Last one. Time for the loooooong ride home.

The highway back from there cost about 100USD. yay.

On the way, stopped by Himeji-jo, a pretty famous castle (unesco world heritage site). I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't much cherry blossom action, but that's all right.

Just before the castle, we stopped for lunch. After OD-ing on Japanese food, we stopped at a familiar place, very welcome by all....

After lunch, the guys went to visit the castle, I had several hours to ride home (and get home for dinner!). So we split off. I happen to know a small pull in to get some great pics, so I did....

So that's it..... heading home, the very welcome sight of Fuji-san when coming from the west means I'm close to home! (bit over an hour to go from there)

giddyup!

-the end-

 

[c-zulu]

Wow ! Just awesome thanks for sharing. One day I will ride there.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Incredible beauty there in Japan. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sportster]

Spectacular report. Thank you.

Last there in 1994, tho not to ride.

Must go back to ride.

$100usd to take a highway home? True "highway robbery" it would seem.

Sportster

 

[Hamie]

Awesome pictures and report....thanks for sharing..

 

[High Desert Rat]

Reminds of my two year stay in Osaka and Nara over 20 years ago. Ganbate dai yo!

 

[YukonG]

Awesome ride report.

I don't think I could make it...only because of the food.