[Beautiful Mie Bicycle Route Note: Shima Edition] Cycling along the seaside while visiting lucky charms and gourmet food!
掲載日：2019.03.13
The Shima region is one of Mie's most representative tourist destinations. There are many photogenic spots scattered around, such as the ria coast of Ago Bay, the majestic Pacific Ocean, and the lighthouse on the cape. In addition to seafood, there are also many other delicious foods that are loved by locals. This time it's a course where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery and run a lot. Don't worry, you can take shortcuts too!
What is “Beautiful Country Mie Bicycle Route Diary”?
Bicycle writer Masanori Asano, born and raised in Mie Prefecture, will introduce you to the charms of Mie Prefecture while cycling!
■Traveler bicycle writer Masanori Asano
I have been cycling for about 20 years. I love cycling as much as I love three meals and snacks. Because of his love for bicycles, he became a freelance bicycle writer. He rides his bicycle for work, and also enjoys racing and long rides in his private life.
In addition to seafood, there are also many other delicious foods that are loved by locals.
This time, writer Asano decided to cover and photograph the course on his own because he wanted to introduce a course that was even more rewarding to ride. Murakami, the person in charge of this series who accompanied me last time and is a bicycle beginner, is away at home.
This is a course where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery and run for a long time.
Don't worry, you can take shortcuts too!
Course: ShimaCity
Mileage: 68.3km
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
◆Shima Sports Commission
In Mie Prefecture, you can enjoy cycling while enjoying the spectacular ocean views.
In HigashiKishu edition, we ran along the gentle coastline along Shichirimihama Beach, but this time we would like to introduce a course that overlooks the intricate coastline of Shima's Rias Coast.
It may be unique to Mie that even though the sea is in the same prefecture, you can experience so many different landscapes depending on the region.
The starting and finishing point this time is Shima Sports Commission.
This is an organization that plans and manages cycling events and sports events in this region, and has created a number of touring courses and published them on the web so that people can enjoy cycling in the Shima area.
They even rent Bianchi cross bikes so you can enjoy cycling even if you come empty-handed!
Click here for details on the Shima Sports Commission!
It is convenient to access Shima by private car.
Shima Sports Commission has a large parking space shared with the adjacent pachinko parlor. If you are going by train, it is convenient to cycle to Ugata Station, which is a limited express stop on the Kintetsu line.
I asked him various questions about the course.
``This time, we'll go to anori Cape, Daiou Saki, take National Route 260 to Wagu, and finally enjoy the sunset view from Tomoyama Observation Deck.'' I'm thinking of a greedy course..."
"It looks like it's going to be quite a challenging run, but it's great that there's so much to see! If you just choose the places you want to go, we can even create a short course, so even if you're not confident in your leg strength, I think you'll have fun!"
So, I received the seal of approval!
To all the cyclists who love running, thank you for waiting!
This time, I will introduce a course that you can run at my own discretion!
After this, I continued to ask Mr. Oyama about local shops, and information about courses that were not included in this route, such as Matoya Bay and Hamashima (some routes to Hamashima have bicycle sign marks that were used in HigashiKishu). (Apparently there is!) I have already looked into it.
Of course, we also learned about new travel ideas unique to Shima!
I have to come to Shima again! After Mr. Oyama saw us off, we were finally on our way!
As we continued east along the road, the view suddenly widened after a gradual descent. A fairly long straight road runs through open countryside with far-reaching views.
This is actually the spot that Mr. Oyama told me about earlier.
When you think of Shima, you imagine a scenic route along the coast, but there are places like this as well.
Turn left at the intersection with Prefectural Route 61 and head towards anori Anori, your first destination.
On the way to anori, short ascents appear intermittently.
Shima may not be the image of high mountains, but the topography is rich in ups and downs.
To avoid tiring your legs, change gears frequently and run at a pace that feels comfortable.
Turn right according to the information sign for anori Lighthouse and follow the road. Eventually, the road will become like an embankment road, and you will see the ocean on your right! Furthermore, there is a quite steep slope in front of you!
anori Shrine was located at the top of this hill.
I really wanted to visit anori Shrine this time. This is because they provide amulets that wish for road safety for cyclists.
After stopping your bicycle and washing your hands and mouth with water, you can begin by praying. I prayed for your safety on this journey as well.
This is one of the goals of this trip: bicycle traffic safety! The first fruit fee is 800 yen.
If you are an astute reader, you may have noticed that the place name anori is written as ``ride'' on the ``an'' of ``safety,'' which means ``to ride safely.''
In other words, if you wish for road safety for cyclists, there is no better amulet than the one at anori Shrine!
We asked Takashi Katayama of Negi, who gave us the amulet, about the history of the shrine.
“anori Shrine was born at the end of the Meiji period as a group of shrines in this area to be enshrined.This was once a Hachiman shrine, and the Kuki navy group led by Yoshitaka Kuki, who went to war during the Bunroku era, visited here to pray and ensure a safe voyage. It is said that he made a triumphant return with great success in battle.It is said that because of this, the name of the area around here, ``Anori'', was changed from Anori to anori.''
Since then, it has been beneficial in terms of safety.
By the way, recently both cyclists and car drivers have come to pray for traffic safety.
◆ anori Lighthouse
anori Saki Lighthouse is just a stone's throw from anori Shrine. Now that you've come this far, let's take a look.
After walking through the narrow, maze-like alleys, you will arrive at anori Anori Park, where anori Saki Lighthouse is located.
You cannot enter the park by bicycle, so you must park your bicycle at a bike rack in the parking lot and walk.
A chalk lighthouse standing on a cape with the blue sky and sea in the background is a beautiful combination!
The interior of anori Lighthouse is also open to the public.
I didn't stop by this time because I was pressed for time, but you can see the entire Pacific Ocean from the top of the lighthouse!
Return the same way you came and head south towards Daiosaki.
After driving about 6km from anori Park, you will see AgonoMatsubaraBeach on your left!
If you sit on the stepped embankment that leads from the embankment to the sandy beach, you can take a break while looking out at the sea while feeling the sound of the sea and the sea breeze.
There is a space to park your bicycle at the top of the embankment road, so it might be a good idea to bring some rice balls or something and take a break while having a light meal.
I headed south at a brisk pace on Prefectural Route 61, which intermittently repeats short ups and downs, and turned left at a distinctive intersection with a sandbar in the middle of the three-way intersection.
After passing the longest descent on the course, Nakiri fishing port appeared in front of us.
Our next destination, Daiosaki Lighthouse, is just around the corner. Since it is not possible to get close to Daiosaki Lighthouse by bicycle, this time I rode my bicycle to the embankment road on the north side of the lighthouse and admired it from a distance.
It was my first time seeing it from this angle, but it is a picturesque lighthouse from any angle.
Daiosaki Lighthouse is also open to the public, so if you are interested, please come and visit.
◆ Katata Inari Shrine
After visiting anori and Daio lighthouses, the next step is to head to the tip of the Senshima Peninsula.
When you get to Route 260, turn left onto Route 260. Turn left at the Fukaya Ohashi Nishi intersection, just past the Fukaya Channel, and you will immediately see Onohama Beach on your left and Katada Inari Shrine on your right.
This shrine, built about 400 years ago by local residents, is said to bring blessings for maritime safety.
The sight of the many vermilion torii gates standing in a row against the blue sky is a must-see. The main hall also has a painted ceiling.
If you want to see it, please visit the shrine office (if no one is there, you can call the phone number posted at the shrine office and they will help you).
Click here for detailed coverage of Katada Inari Shrine!
It's no exaggeration to say that the moment you turn left on the national highway and see Onohama spread out in your field of vision is one of the highlights of this course!
Well, I've run over 30km so far and I'm starting to get hungry.
Next we will aim for a special gourmet spot!
Proceed west on National Route 260 and turn right at the signalized intersection in the center of Wagu.
After about 200 meters, you will see Odaya, a locally popular Taiyaki restaurant, on your right.
The unique feature of this restaurant is that they follow the traditional method of baking each fish in a cast taiyaki mold.
It's probably quite rare these days to find a restaurant where you can enjoy this type of taiyaki, which is called a "natural product" among taiyaki lovers.
There are three flavors: red bean paste, cream, and a mix that allows you to eat both at once, and each one costs 130 yen.
Since I was hungry, I ordered one each of red bean paste and cream.
The owner, Wakasa Ota, who is 85 years old, invited me into the kitchen and fed me some sweet bean paste with a spoon from a steaming pot.
“Bean paste alone is delicious…!”
I'm not exaggerating, but I feel like every cell in my hungry body is happy. While I was impressed by how delicious it was, Mr. Ota started making Taiyaki.
With practiced hands, the skin ingredients and bean paste are placed in the mold, turned over rhythmically, and baked.
“Isn’t the mold heavy?”
"One weighs 2 kg. Take it."
"...Wow, it's heavy!"
“Ahaha, when ``Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun'' became a hit, I used this to grill taiyaki all day long from morning till night!''
While we were talking, Mr. Yamada said, ``Yes, please wait!''
Pick it up piping hot and enjoy it inside the shop!
When you pick it up, the skin is still crispy and the steam is rising.
The tail was filled with red bean paste, and the sweet red bean paste went well with the skin, making it delicious.
The one with cream was delicious, but I definitely recommend the one with red bean paste!
【basic information】
Odaya
Address: 1939 Wagu, ShimaCity Shima City
Phone number 0599-85-6607
Speaking of gourmet food typical of Ise-Shima, you can't miss seafood dishes!
According to information from locals, the seafood dishes served at Satoumian's AmaHut（Amagoya）are highly recommended!
Reservations are required, but as a basic course, you can eat oyster shellfish, turban shells, squid, dried fish, etc., and during the fishing season, you can also eat spiny lobster and abalone!
What's more, active Ama divers will be cooking the fish for you, and you'll be able to hear all sorts of stories about it.
I wasn't able to stop by this time, but I'm looking forward to coming back to eat here again!
【basic information】
AmaHut（Amagoya）experience facility Satoumian
Address2279 Koshiga ShimaCity cho, Shima-shi
Phone number 0599-85-1212
Official website https://satoumian.com/
After leaving Satoumian and heading further west, we finally arrived at Goza, the tip of the Senshima Peninsula!
Hamajima can be seen across the harbor. I feel that I have finally arrived at the very end of the Shima Peninsula.
There is a stone Buddha at the west end of Goza Port. This stone Buddha is also called Shiobutsu, and is said to appear or sink into the sea depending on the tide.
It is said that it is especially beneficial for healing lower body ailments and wishing to have children.
I'm a man, and the lower body is important when riding a bicycle, so I left Goza Port with a prayer that I would continue to have fun riding my bicycle.
On the way back, head east on the National Route 260 bypass that runs along the Ago Bay side of the Shima Peninsula.
The roads are wide and straight, making it quite easy to drive. The highlight of this National Route 260 bypass is the three uniquely shaped bridges.
From the west are Shima Pearl Bridge, Maruyama Bridge, and Nagata Bridge.
Among these, the Shima Pearl Bridge is characterized by a white arch that literally resembles a pearl, and is 234 meters long. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a new landmark that symbolizes Shima!
Shima Maruyama Bridge's central pier extends toward the sky, and dozens of cables extend from it to support the road. It has a modern design with a sense of openness, and offers a panoramic view of Ago Bay.
Furthermore, Nagata Bridge has an impressive rustic steel arch, making it a somewhat classic iron bridge.
The individuality of all three people shines through.
The National Route 260 Bypass has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 roads, and I am convinced that it is an attractive road that is truly pleasant to drive on and offers spectacular views.
The final destination is Tomoyama Observatory.
You can enjoy the sunset over Ago Bay, so if you have the time, this is a place you should definitely stop by.
However, the road to the observatory also repeats small ups and downs.
It may be a bit strenuous for those who are not confident in their physical strength as they have covered quite a distance so far, but there are spectacular views that only those who put in the effort can enjoy!
After enjoying the sunset over Ago Bay, all that's left to do is return to the starting point. However, there is still more than 10km to go.
It's getting darker and darker, so please be careful and put your safety first as you head home.
This time I went alone for the interview, so I introduced quite a lot of courses.
In fact, this course is divided into four major sections: anori, Daio, Tomoyama, and Sakishima, so if you're not confident in your physical strength, you can pick up only the areas you want to go to.
If you are interested in amulets, you can just go to anori, and if you like lighthouses, you can visit anori and Daio Lighthouses and then come back. We also recommend anori, Daio, and Tomoyama courses, as well as the course that goes around the Sakishima Peninsula and returns.
Of course, the Matoya and Hamajima areas that I couldn't introduce this time are also attractive courses, so I hope I'll have the opportunity to introduce them to you again someday!
[This route]
Article creation / Masanori Asano
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◎ Bicycle writer goes! Beautiful country of Mie: Bicycle route notes
・ [Matsuzaka Edition] Relaxing cycling to enjoy Matsusaka beef gourmet food!
・ [HigashiKishu Edition] Run along Shichirimihama Beach and enjoy the delicious food of Kumano!
・ [TsuCity Misugi Edition] Cross the fresh green hills and visit the post station on Ise Honkaido Road
・ [Eastern Iga Edition] Hill climb and gourmet food in a hilly mountain village
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