Seseragi route cycling to Takayama(E-17)⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘25.8th,Nov
This route E-17 is in Area-E “Chubu-Hokuriku". See Area-E map/ See Japan map
Sight & Entertainment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Food & Drinks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easiness ⭐⭐⭐
Road conditions ⭐⭐⭐
Safety ⭐⭐⭐
I’d never known this Seseragi route until I watched a TV program of introducing it this year as a mecca of motorbikers. It seemed a very good timing to go see the autumn leaves in early Nov. Just one week before, I went cycling in Izu peninsula but again in next week I left my home in the evening of Friday and stayed at a hotel near Nagoya station, then started cycling in Saturday morning from Gifu station which was 20min away from Nagoya by JR line.
Just a few km after starting, Gifu castle could be seen on the top of a mountain(pic.1). I’ve never visited Gifu castle but again I didn’t have chance to visit. From that area, the route went along Nagara river until reaching Gujo city(pic.2). But the road was very narrow and dangerous for around 5-7km from Pic.1 point.
I don’t remember which route I took to come close to Seki city but gradually the road had enough space for cycling(pic.3) and after passing Mino city into valley, nice nature view could be seen(pic.4) on the R-156.
After cycling for around 30km in the valley, I came to Gujo-hachiman city. It’s a very small city but historically important place and there were many tourists especially in the castle area. To visit the castle, I had to climb a hill by walk for 15min. Yet the autumn leaves were not perfect, 1 week earlier maybe.
When I came down from the castle, the time was still AM10:00, too early for lunch. So I bought a Gohei-mochi, typical local food in this region and resumed cycling. From this point, real Seseragi route started(pic.7) into valley toward North.
Gradually the angle was coming steeper but not so tough and the leaves’ color also became clear red or yellow. Many motorbikes passed by and gradually I understood why this road was so popular for motorbikers. There was almost no signals and very comfortable route along the river and surrounded by nature. Especially this season and spring will be the best season.
After a little steep climbing, I reached a road side station, “Furusato-Kiyomi" around 12:15PM. It was just lunch time and I bought a ticket of local lunch menu, Tsukemono stake lunch which is made of stir-fried meat and pickles(pic.9-2), though I had to wait for 30min to get my lunch because of so many tourists. It seems a famous local cuisine but I didn’t feel the taste so special, honestly.
After resuming the cycling, the road finally got into a narrow valley(pic,10). As the altitude came up, the leaves got much more beautiful(pic.11).
The last 5km to the pass was tough for me but thanks to the beautiful sight, I could take a rest to take pics(pic.12).
Finally I reached the hill top, Nishi-ure pass at PM2:20. Here was the headstream of the river. The leaves color was the most vibrant here.
From this point, the river flow direction changed(it’s natural..). The downhill lasted over 20km in a beautiful mountain color(pic.15).
When the road came to the city, I could see the Mt.Norikura beyond the city.(pic.16). I want to climb by my bike someday.
Soon after seeing Mt.Norikura and going straight for 1km, I reached Takayama old town(pic.17). Since it was very good season for seeing autumn leaves, there were many foreign tourists on the streets. I also bought a souvenior here.
I didn’t book a traditional Japanese hotel and booked a normal businss hotel yet it had a hot spring. After enjoyning a bath, I went to a restaurant, “Hida no suke" which I booked beforehand. After my arival, many non reserving tourists came in but all of them were not able to take a seat. In such a popular city, booking beforehand was a must.
Hida takayama is a famous place for “Hida-gyu(beef)“. I ordered very thin beef(pic.18-3) at \2,000-but if you have much money and hungry, please order a stake. Apart from the beef, it’s better to order local mountain foods as well as Hida’s sake.
<Transportation info>
From Hida Takayama to Tokyo in my case: JR Takayam line AM5:30 to Inotani AM6:40, Change train AM7:02 start to Toyama AM7:57 arrival. From Toyama station, Shinkansen-Kagayaki No.504 AM8:29 to Tokyo AM10:37 arrival. \14,590-