I usually travel by bicycle. But this time, I was invited to participate and evaluate a package tour.
Ten people participated in the trip. They were experts in town promotion and travel.
Oodate-shi is an inland city of Tohoku, and the population is 80,000 people, but it is decreasing slowly. This is the famous town where Hachi-ko "the loyal dog in Shibuya" was born. Oodate-shi is attracting tourists for the activation of the town.
We were invited for the evaluation of the hands-on programs.

making mashed rice put on a chopstick;
making a wooden lunchbox;
making bean paste;
The hands-on programs were interesting and memorable.
However, these activities are also promoted in other local cities. Hard competition will continue.

The distance by road from Shikoku to Tokyo is 800km. I took a ferry because it was slightly too far to go by bicycle.
It's easy when I use the ship because I can carry the bicycle without dismantling it.
As for the fare, it was 10,000 yen per person, 2,800 yen per bicycle, and the travel time was 18 hours.

I waited for the sunrise and started cycling so I arrived at the Tokyo Port before daybreak. I cycled to my house via Ginza, which is the greatest shopping street in Tokyo. Ginza in the early morning was still "sleeping".

view the big map with a meters above the sea level graph

The Great Naruto Bridge, built in 1985, had two layers: a highway and the Shinkansen. However, the government stopped the construction of the Shinkansen, and the first floor was wasted.

A ferry that bicycles could ride ran in the past, but it was discontinued. I cannot cross the straits by bicycle. To make a bicycle path, in substitution for the Shinkansen, is a wish of the cyclists. It would be an advancement for Japan. 90.74Km / 6hours

view the big map with a meters above the sea level graph

I cycled to Kamiyama-cho to buy bread baked by firewood. Kamiyama-cho is a depopulated town in the mountains. The municipal government rents out the unoccupied houses at low-cost to revitalize the town. The bakery storekeeper is a couple who moved from Osaka. Because bread is cheap and delicious, they have a good reputation. I bought two pieces of french bread. They are still warm, but will be cold by the time I cycle the 30 kilometers to my house.

Scarecrows decorate the roadside. They are works of art. The population of the town decreases, but the scarecrows increase.

62.5Km / 4hours

view the big map with a meters above the sea level graph

The National highway No.11, that links Tokushima to Takamatsu, has changed the route twice. The route that was used until 1953 has been left as a prefectural road. However, the oldest route, which was built in 1875 and used until 1920, is a disused road now.

There was a monument at the starting point of that road. I imagined the time when this place was a trunk line.

The roadbed was made strong and the way was left clear. However, nobody goes now because has been forgotten, and does not appear on any map. When I approached the mountain pass, the road had been covered by bamboo. I got off my bicycle and pushed it.

A bright view opened up when I passed through the shadowy mountain path. It may be 50 years since a person last went this way. 70.56Km / 6hours

view the big map with a meters above the sea level graph

Since the new year, there was good weather, though it was very cold. I accepted and adapted myself to the low temperature. I cycled within Boso Peninsula with "M", whom is a member of the Uchibo Racing Club. Uchibo Racing Club is an amateur bicycle team. "M" is a judo player also a black belt holder. I do not think that his figure is suitable to be the cyclist. His slipstream was very big. I didn't feel the wind resistance when I pedaled behind him.

After we passed through the tunnel across the mountain, we saw the sea. The sunlight was warm, and we ran enthusiastically. 90.05Km/Total 6h

view the big map with a meters above the sea level graph

On December 22, the cargo boat "SEA ACE" (2,976t) of the Panamanian registry ran aground at the shore in Iwaki-shi. All 15 members of the Chinese and Myanmarese crew were rescued by a helicopter. The strong wind had faded and weather became fine. I brought my bike in a bag on the train. I cycled north from Hitachi Station. I ran over 30km/h easy with fair wind. When I turned the pedals 40Km and went over the prefectural border, I saw an unusual scene in on the shore.

The cargo boat was enshrined in the sandy beach. There were about 20 spectators.

The tower of "the New Year's bonfire" stood on the beach. This bamboo tower is burned with decorated sacred straw festoons which we display for the New Years holidays in the beginning of January.

The tradition of burning the tower is meant to see off the Gods to the sky. "Kami sama" will be surprised because there is a big cargo boat nearby. 73.13Km/Total 6h