The Secrets of Japan - CJA2502
Busy day today...for the tourguides :-) Organizing everything, motorcycle paperwork... doesn't sound much, that's the secret of the behind the scene work:-) The award is our Welcome Briefing, everybody relaxed and in a good mood! Shira & Brian, Madison & Michael, Michael S., Andrew, Chris, Joe, Jeff from the US, Warren and Stuart from Australia, Siegfried, Tim, Jürgen and Michael from Germany want to explore The Sectrets of Japan and that is our target. We are looking forward to it!
In the morning a car show gathered opposite of our hotel but we don't have the time, we want to hit the road! Firstly on the highway out of Tokyo passing Kawasaki, Yokohama...all names one heard before and now we are here! Crossing over to the sea we meet the Sunday cruisers all enjoying, especially the beach, surfers, sailors, everyone is out. After a coffee break we take of into the mountains on the Izu Peninsula...beautiful and great ride! And then we see his majesty Fuji-san. Fantastic! After lunch on the twisty Izu Skyline until Mt Omuro, going up with a cute chair lift and nice views from the top. The last kilometers to the hotel on the windy coastel road. What a beautiful day!
Looking out of the window in the morning, the clouds hanging deep over the ocean though the colors of the vegetation so intense, so different from home the shades of green here in Japan. After half an hour riding rain sets in but eases later and we ride on a twisty single lane road thru the misty, foggy forest, moos covering the rocks, ground and trees. Reaching the ridge again it clears up and we proceed on the Izu Skyline North to our target today: The holy majesty Fuji-san, 3.776 m high, home of the Kami. Deep clouds again don't promise anything when half of the group decides to ride up Mt Fuji. What a fun road zigzaging up to 2.400 m, no traffic, a bit bumpy but super grip, on top a mystic atmosphere with the fog and then it clears up for 30 seconds....Yiehaaa! What a day on these twisty roads in Japan!
We should have this view on Fujisan from our nice hotel but...it is hiding, only some glimpses on the cone... Okay, then let's ride it! Our group members which didn't do it yesterday and some more:-) did it today in the morning. Great ride up there and also getting down from the plateau on curvy roads with super asphalt. After we hop 2 valleys on tiny and twisty forested mountain roads before we come to one of the best tea growing regions in Japan. Green tea or Macha tea, also flavoring all kind of cakes, ice cream and even rice. And the roads are challenging, single lane, partially steep and hairpins, just fun in this beautiful vegetation. The last stretch on the highway in order to avoid the bigger citys at the coastal line and we arrive in Hamamatsu and getting closer to our ferry crossing tomorrow... Well done riders!
The first thing on the agenda this morning was a ferry ride to Mie Prefecture. The weather was at its best and so we set off in two groups at different times. On the other side of the ferry route, part of the Pearl Road was one of the riding highlights of the day. We were also enchanted by some of the hidden side roads in the dense forests. On the coast, we met one of the pearl divers who dive for the famous oyster pearls here. Shortly before Kumano, we ended this wonderful riding day at our fantastic 4-star hotel.
We have to leave our wonderful Club Resort...but sunshine and 20°C make the decision easier. And again we leave the beaten track and ride on a small twisty forest road. Beautiful and amazing, there is no traffic at all. Later on the Ryujin Skyline we fly up to Koya-san, a village which consists of more then 100 temples, monasteries and shrines. These belong to the Shingon Buddhism, founded here by Kobo Daishi in the year 819. Even though some of the temples are world heritage listed there are not many tourists; it is more the pilgrimates coming up here...what a tranquilo place and nice athmosphere, wandering through these temples and beautiful forest. On a curvy road we have to leave, again :-), and drive to Kyoto, Japans former capital from 794 to 1868.
How often in your life do you get to travel to Kyoto, maybe the secret capital of Japan, but certainly the cultural capital? Not very often, correct? Therefore It goes without saying for everyone in our group of riders leaves their motorcycles parked for the day and immerse themselves in the city and see its sights in various different ways. The silver pavilion, the gigantic statue of Budda, a small bamboo forest and, perhaps most impressive of all, the bright green, wonderful beauty of Mother Nature. Even here in the middle of the city! We philosophise about motorcycles on the path of philosophers to the next temple. Past the famous Gion district, where the geishas hang out, we find ourselves in the lively Nishiki Market. Here, we allow our senses to be sprinkled with all kinds of curiosities and the delicacies that Japanese cuisine has to offer. We end our sightseeing tour in one of the wonderful cafés here in Kyoto. Most of these cafés are run by older people, who secure their retirement in this way. For some of us, the day was rounded up with a delicious Teppanyaki dinner.
Rain the whole night and rain in the morning, we decide for the more direct route to Himeiji. Pouring rain on the way out of Kyoto, my mobile switches off...there's a limit for all electronics. But my Garmin still works, this bone from ancient times:-) After we are on a country road, rice fields along the road and typical Japanese houses with these nice roofs. After coffee less rain and we Make our way into Himeiji...we want to visit the Himeiji castle, one of the best preserved castles in Japan with an advanced fortification system at the peak of wooden construction techniques in the 17th century...so, here we are and the sun comes out:-)
Long sweeping curves alternate with narrower roads, then again rice fields, followed by a warm coffee stop at an older couple's place with equally lovely guests. Later, we ride the Rainbow Line and really let loose; at the viewpoint, the visibility is moderate, but everyone is having fun. Finally, we reach the village where the Eiheiji Temple is located, as well as our very beautiful hotel right next to it...
In the morning at 5am some of us attend the morning ceremony in the Zen Buddhism Eiheiji temple, close to our hotel...an experience in itself. A vegetarian breakfast with delicious Japanese dishes follows and after another hour of rest we start with the motorcycle in our tour day, visiting later Shirakawago with its 250 years old houses with thatched roofs...a Japanese dinner in the evening with all this artwork food. Arigato gozaimas!
Today ist the 35th wedding anniversary of Shira & Brian, let's celebrate with a nice motorcycle ride through the Japanese mountains! And we did...sweepers all along, we visit a plastic food fabrication in an old village and in the early afternoon we reach our beautiful hotel in Hirayu, a small mountain village with thermal springs.
One group went the short way the other group the long way round with the motorcycles. And some stayed in our beautiful Onsen hotel relaxing...and Michael and Jürgen went to the barber, now streamlined for the upcoming days :-) And all with an enjoyable 28°C today. Japan, we love you!
What a wonderful day today! After a coffee stop at a Wasabifarm we visit the Snow Monkeys which enjoyed their Onsen and we enjoyed them:-)) After we ride the Mt Shirane road through the volcanic mountains and reach the highest point on public roads in Japan with 2.777m. Great curves, great nature and great ride! And after endless curves we reach Kusatsu with the Yubatake hot spring area. Super day!
First a village round with the motorcycle, visiting the Yubatake hot spring field right in the middle of town, then we take off into the outback. Gorgeous roads, no traffic, good grip, sometimes a bit bumby, then again a small single lane road, then a race track to the Haruna Lake. And repeat everything to the dormant Akagi Volcano, wow! What a ride today!
Our last day of riding today... incredible. The sky is overcast with clouds, rain is forecasted, but we find the right way to avoid it. We ride along roads with beautiful curves through hilly landscapes, alternating with fields, forests, and narrower roads... and only occasional people, a few cars, and motorcycles. Then we reach the famous Motegi Twin Circuit, built by Honda in 1997, for a pit stop :-). The Honda Collection Hall is deeply impressive and showcases Honda's motorsport history. Wow! A few more forest roads, then the final kilometers on the highway into the Tokyo metropolitan area with its 38 million inhabitants—also impressive! Our farewell dinner in a Japanese restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere... A fantastic tour with wonderful people of various characters, in a great and interesting country... we will come back, dear Japan! Safe travels home and see you again soon! Angela and Holger (and James)