S-4 Tega numa(lake)
This S-4 is in Area-S “Short trips". See Area-S map/ See Japan map
Tega Numa was originally a cove but reclaimed in Edo era to create paddy area, now is popular among local people as a place of relaxation. Its south shore has well designed cycling road which was completely separated from motor vehicles but north shore doesn’t. But there are enough width for bicycles to ride in North area, so you can enjoy safe 1 round 10km cycling. It’s almost flat and not so crowded even in weekends, you’ll be able to relieve stress in a round. And the lake is also famous as a spot of sunset photo. I’ve never been there in the sunset time but I guess it’ll be nice..
To visit there from Tokyo, it’s better to use JR Joban line to Abiko station which is located at 1km north of Tega numa. Since the lake is 8km from my home and it has many nice cafes near its shore, I sometimes ride there for a pastime.
Takeyama cafe is my favorite Japanese style cafe which serves sandwich or cake with coffee or tea at \500-. I found this nice cafe when I visited Tega numa for the first time(pic.1).
Kojukei cafe: (pic2.3)It’s tough to find since it’s located on a small hill which isn’t accessible directly from shore side. The housing of cafe was originally used by a famous great writer in Showa era(early 20th century) and refurbished as a cafe now. So the atmosphere inside is old-fashioned and chic. It’s better to book before visiting there.
Hanakotori cafe (no pictures) is located in Kitakashiwa furusato park, the west end of Tega numa. It was also nice cafe but usually crowded with many people.
There is one roadside station on the southern shore side of Tega bridge, Michi-no-eki(roadside station) Shonan. It mainly sells local vegetables. Since I can’t buy heavy vegetables here when I’m riding, I once bought roasted sweet potato here(pic.4.5). This area and southern Ibaraki prefecture is well known as a producing district of sweet potato whose taste is relatively sweeter than those of other areas. But better to buy in winter season.
In late February, I could see beautiful plum blossoms(pic.6) next to cycling road on south shore. Maybe in late March, you can enjoy cherry blossoms as well though I’ve never visited in that season here.
In the south-east area, I found a nice open cafe, Woodman’s village. It’s better to read the web site but I strongly recommend this cafe in a warm sunny day.
If you want to hang out further with your bike, going upstream along west side river or downstream along east side river. In the west, the cycling road will end around Nagareyama city but the city also has nice cafes and restaurants. In the east, the cycling road will end around the bank of Tone river. After going through a small town, you’ll reach Tone river which has cycling roads on its bank connecting to Choshi city.
●More information about Tega numa: Kashiwa city cite