[ad_1]
I arrived yesterday to Shikoku in poor climate however right this moment am in a position to take pleasure in one other effective day.

I’m exploring the cape south of Sukumo which I sailed previous on the ferry to Kyushu. The ship rounded the cape at Okinoshima island that lies on the market.

The roads listed here are dreamy. I transfer East to the Ashizuri cape however it’s touristy and busy this Sunday. I like locations with out folks greatest.

I revisit a hidden highway I discovered final yr. A wonderful mountain journey on a forestry entry highway that serves no cities thus has no visitors.

Rain is coming nevertheless it has been an amazing day. Stopping to make use of a rest room in a distant park I used to be delighted as all the time to seek out it spotless and the sensor faucets at hand basins had switched from chilly to heat water to suit the season. In Australia it might all be vandalized.
Subsequent day the rain has set in. I abandon my route and slosh north on the freeway. When it will get heavy I search shelter at a parking space with a farmers market. I hold round for a lot of the Beatles Revolver album enjoying on the PA whereas sitting with these guys who didn’t just like the rain both.

As soon as it eases push on a bit extra till skies get very darkish.

One other rain break, lunch of Japanese fashion curry ramen.

Earlier than lengthy I’m overlooking Matsuyama after which checking in to my lodge earlier than extra rain.
I’ve posted beforehand of the wonderful sea bridges throughout the Seto Inland Sea, it’s a favorite a part of Japan for me. This morning I’m taking a ferry throughout for a change.
It’s a stunning boat with many good areas to benefit from the crusing together with distinctive deck pods. Alas the climate right this moment shouldn’t be good with principally gray skies however it’s a very scenic option to cross, one thing I’ll attempt once more.
Arriving Kure it’s darkish and gloomy however I’ve couple of hours earlier than I can test in so sit in a ‘Joyful’ chain household restaurant an hour with lengthy lunch.

There’s a break within the clouds so I shortly make my option to the closest viewpoint in my GPS and the solar breaks by simply as I arrive.

By the point I’m down crossing that white bridge the solar has gone the clouds darkened and it begins to rain. I used to be gifted a small window to view this, how very fortunate.

I’ve a lot nicer room than regular for 2 nights. Tomorrow I plan to do some island hopping.
Alas the following day is 7 levels and passing showers. It’s a disgrace being so near many particular locations however I spend the day heat and dry. Truly I used to be exhausted, this moto touring will get more durable as I become older.

Subsequent morning I make my means up the mountain behind Kure and luxuriate in a effective view of town and inland sea. Nonetheless I can see rain lies forward.
The beautiful morning quickly turns to clouds then rain however I persist. I’m using by Shimane prefecture at it’s peak color however alas now in regular rain and eight levels.

I get a break in climate round midday as I go this temple and arrive in a small city with a 7/11.

Sizzling lemon and heat Pad Thai within the 7/11 consuming space is welcome break.
I’m decided to journey my route after lunch however run smack into actually heavy rain, the type that can defeat virtually any rider gear which isn’t an choice at these temperatures. I flip and level my entrance wheel in the direction of higher skies and retreat south to the expressway.

Chopping again throughout north all the mountains are orange nonetheless grey gloomy skies and being on a expressway with no place to cease make it exhausting to seize. Temperature has fallen to 4 levels right here but the FJR protects me from a chilly wind blast. Another excuse I don’t journey a ADV bike in Japan.

Please park your bike in our non-public storage. Royal Lodge Izumo, I shall be staying right here once more when on this space.

Within the morning it’s 2 levels and radar exhibits snow falling in excessive mountains. Okay, no level setting off early.

The rain shouldn’t be heavy, passing showers. The solar tries to interrupt by however the gray gentle washes out the color of my pictures but I hope you get an thought of how wonderful natures present is right here.


I abandon my route which was carrying me into unhealthy climate and journey an arc simply out of the rain on some good sweeping roads then hand over completely and take the expressway to my lodge. I need to say the Dunlop Roadsmart 4 are implausible in rain.

My gear carried out effectively. I lately needed to apply seam glue to the jacket rain liner when its seam tape lifted however no leaks since. I took further time to get good seal at neck and cuffs and make extra relaxation stops to maintain checking and adjusting and giving the gear a break to dry a little bit. I stay heat and dry every day.

Lodge breakfasts are one cause I placed on weight when touring. I normally have small plate when it’s a buffet however right this moment is ready course.

The climate improves however sadly I’ve to go away the western prefectures and make some miles right this moment all the way in which to Kyoto prefecture.

Route 162 is a well-liked bikers highway and plenty of riders out right this moment. There are nonetheless conventional grass roof buildings in use in Japan, you possibly can see many right here.


It’s a fantastic open sweeping highway with rural views. I actually take pleasure in this with the turbine clean large engine and cozy armchair bike gliding me alongside. This FJR1300 is a effective bike.

Bikes get VIP parking once more at tonight’s lodge.

Sunday and very good climate. There are 100’s of bikers out right this moment.

I’m nonetheless discovering new implausible using roads in Japan. At present one other gem, rural route 274 which barely exhibits on maps but is a mountain go like above and beneath.

Returning to the valleys I spot a view deck on different aspect of river and discover a option to go to it to take pleasure in this vista. What a spot for lunch.

Subsequent I attain Tokuyama Lake the place it’s much more stunning than my humble pictures can convey.


I did a little bit comparability of my Theta 360 cam Vs my Casio cam right here. Will publish that in future.

The solar disappeared as I moved from Gifu into Aichi prefectures. With out it’s rays the temperature dropped like a curler coaster nevertheless it made a encore look for my last mountain highway. Thanks Mr Solar.

First time this tour to make use of a earlier favorite lodge chain. Others appear extra welcoming to riders however that may very well be simply misplaced in translation. A foreigner arriving at a Japanese lodge continues to trigger shock and confusion outdoors of Tokyo. I form of hope Japan stays like that.

My final day is couple of acquainted roads south then a protracted freeway journey again on the Tomei the place the visitors density requires intense focus as you get nearer to Tokyo.

A spot in bushes reveals painted hills with gentle too harsh for my digicam. Over there lies countless roads to discover within the Japan few guests see.

My last picture earlier than the freeway is a hidden temple I posted final yr, right this moment the ginko leaves have almost all fallen regardless of autumn barely began elsewhere. That’s the way in which nature rolls nonetheless I had an immensely pleasant time on this tour.
I used to be going log out saying this could be my final journey in Japan for awhile. I had booked abroad journey with the world reopening however 72hrs later the omicron variant is introduced and every little thing is closing. At this fee I’ll find yourself with extra airline vouchers than I’ll ever use. However at the very least I’ve a lot right here to take pleasure in.
[ad_2]