【Day2-2,Day3】Izumo, Lake Shinji cycling(G-11)⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘24.3rd & 4th,Nov
This route G-11 is in Area-G, “Chugoku". See Area-G map/ See Japan map
Sight & Entertainment ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Food & Drink ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easiness ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Road condition ⭐⭐⭐
Safety ⭐⭐⭐
I’ve already been exhausted by morning 100km ride which was partially due to mental fatigue caused by train stoppage(ref. G-10 Hagi⇔Nagato→Masuda) . It was almost PM1:30 when I reached Masuda station and fortunately I found some taxis waiting there. The driver kindly welcame to send me to Oda-city, 100km ahead. I was saved.
I was sleeping all the way to Oda city station. The fee was over \38,000- but I couldn’t thank him enough. Now the time was PM3:45 when I resumed cycling toward Izumo city. There were some up & down before enterin Izumo city(pic.1) but thanks to the rest in the car, it was not tough anymore. Gradually mountains where Izumo shrine located loomed(pic.2).
Unexpectedly the shrine was still far. When I cross the Kando river, it was sunset time, PM5:10.
The time was PM5:30 when I reached Izumo shrine. This shrine is one of the most important shrine in Japan. Simply speaking, it ranks with Ise shrine(ref. D-5 Ise to Nachi “Kumano kodo" sacred shrines) and Suwa shrine in terms of the birth of Japan. I could park my bike the left hand side of this “Torii" gate in pic.4-1. Then walked a few hundred meters toward the worship hall(pic.4-1 right).
Occasionaly a Shinto cremony was going on(pic.4-2 left) in the precinct. Regretably it was already dark and the main hall(pic.4-2 right) can’t be seen well but I prayed to God for protecting this country for good there.
From Shirne to my hotel near the station, there were 8km and I cycled in the complete dark rural roads. I came out to search a dinner place after taking shower around PM8:00 but it was very cold. Most of the restaurants were fully booked but fortunately I could get one seat at “Sushi Izakaya Nihonkai" near the station. It seems a chain restaurant but it served the local special cuisines such as Shimane Wagyu(pic.5-1) and Nodoguro(pic.5-2). And there were a wide variety of Japanese Sakes(pic.5-4). Izumo city claims that this area is the birth of Japanese Sake. The tastes seemed not so special for me but I can agree with that claim since the Sake must be related to ritual matter.
【Day3】I had to catch AM11:25 flight from Yonago airport, 60km away from Izumo city, so I started at AM6:15(pic.6). Very quiet and the dawn was beautiful(pic.7).
After crossing Hii river(pic.8), the R-184 joined R-9 and it carried myself to Lake Shinji(pic.8). This lake is a brackish lake and famous for Shijimi(freshwater clam: pic.5-3, pic.11).
Since R-9 is a main busy road, many tracks passed by but the lake view on left hand side which lasted for 20km was very beautiful(pic.10).
When I came to the end of Lake Shinji, I noticed that Matsue castle was very close. Since I thought I had enough time for my flight, I dropped in that. Though it was too early(AM7:45) to enter into the main tower, I could see the tower from the castle park(pic.12-1).
Matsue castle is one of the 12 existing as it was built in 17C in Japan. And I was mesmerized by the overwhelming stone walls(pic.12-2) under the buildings. It’s worth visiting once.
Next spot before reaching the airport was Lake Nakaumi(pic.13). To reach there, there were some unexpected uphills. The lake was quiet and it was fun to cycle on a narrow strip in the lake(pic.14).
After the strip, I landed on a small island(Daikon-shima) but there seemed no main road, so I barely came out of the village through narrow streets.
The final entertainment was Eshima Ohashi(bridge) from island to the oposite sand spout area（pic.15). It is a very famous bridge which seems elevated to the sky and there are many instagram pics. Basically I should have got off my bike to climb it but since there were no persons walking in such early morning, I accomplished climbing it on my bike.
Now only 4-5km was left. I reached the airport at AM9:30(pic.16). I had enough time to enjoy a local dish at airport restaurant. This area is famous for snow crab, though its season starts from next week of my visit, so I ordered a bun(pic.17-1) of snow crab and Ramen. Unexpectedly the Ramen was very delicious.
My seat was on a window side. When the airplane departed, I saw many local people were seeing off those who went back to Tokyo since it was the last day of 3 days holidays and maybe many relatives were on board. When I saw this scene, I could not help but remember this time’s hard trip and felt sympathy though I don’t know why.
<Transportation info>
From Yonago to Tokyo(My case): ANA386, AM11:25 → PM0:45 \47,370-
<Other recommendable spots near my route>
Adachi museum: You can enjoy marvelous Japanese garden as well as many arts.
Tamatsukuri hot spring: One of the oldest famous hot spring in Japan
<Connected routes>
G-8: Kurayoshi to Yonago