[Beautiful Country Mie Bicycle Route Diary: Inabe Edition] Enjoy gourmet food and sightseeing on a course full of ups and downs, including the stage of TOJ!
掲載日：2019.04.04
InabeCity, the northernmost tip of Mie Prefecture, is a place rich in nature with views of the Suzuka Mountains to the west and the Yoro Mountains to the north. It is also the stage for the Tour of Japan Inabe stage bicycle road race, and is a cyclist-friendly town with an opportunity to welcome cyclists as a whole.
This time, we will follow the commonly known Inaichi course, which goes around InabeCity, and enjoy the sights and delicious food of Inabe while cycling!
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.
■Travel companion Murakami (Mie Prefecture Tourism Federation)
I'm a beginner road bike rider who only started cycling for half a year. Because of his job, he is knowledgeable about sightseeing spots and gourmet food in Mie Prefecture, and has an eye for delicious food.
It is also the stage for the Tour of Japan Inabe stage bicycle road race, and is a cyclist-friendly town with an opportunity to welcome cyclists as a whole.
This time, we will follow the commonly known Inaichi course, which goes around InabeCity, and enjoy the sights and delicious food of Inabe while cycling!
Course: InabeCity
Mileage: 55.2km
Difficulty: ★★★★★
◆ Fureai Station Uribou
Inabe is a special place for cyclists.
This is because it is the stage for the Inabe Stage of the Tour of Japan, Japan's highest bicycle road race held every May, and hobby races and long ride events are also held several times a year.
In addition, the Sangi Railway Sangi Line cycle train, which is still rare even in Japan and allows you to travel with your bicycle on the train, is also running, and it is a great place for cycling, with abundant nature and gourmet spots that welcome cyclists. is also attractive.
This time, we will be taking on the cycling course around Inabe, commonly known as ``Inaichi'', which is filled with the charms of Inabe! This course was apparently designed by city officials who are also cyclists! It's been a long time since I last rode with Mr. Murakami, a bicycle beginner who is in charge of this series, but will he be able to complete this course, which has a lot of uphill climbs?
Inaichi's start and goal is Fureai Station Uribou.
This is a direct sales store for agricultural products InabeCity, adjacent to Oizumi Station on the Sangi Railway Hokusei Line, and they also sell locally grown fresh vegetables, handmade sweets, side dishes, and gelato!
There is also a large parking lot, so you can come by your own car.
You can have your favorite one served in a cup or cone from the more than 10 types of gelato lined up at the counter. You can choose not only single but also double.
We asked Jun Nishiki, the representative of Michi-no-eki Uribou, for his recommendations.
``The most popular item is the roasted sweet potato, which uses locally produced sweet potatoes.The other flavors also use ingredients harvested mainly from around the city, but the hojicha is made from Ishigure, which is grown in the town. The tea and strawberries are also made from Nabe, which is recommended! By the way, the milk used is ouchiyama Milk."
Almost all from Mie Prefecture! This gelato is truly made locally for local consumption.
This time, from the recommended menu, Mr. Murakami decided to get the roasted sweet potato, and I decided to get the double roasted green tea and strawberry.
“The baked sweet potato is delicious with a gentle sweetness!”
"Hojicha has a strong tea aroma and is refreshing! The strawberries are also delicious!"
I took my time savoring each bite! In addition to the ones we ordered, there were many other unusual flavors such as tomato and black rice. We recommend that multiple people buy a double and enjoy sharing the different flavors!
I was able to replenish my energy with gelato before the start, so I felt energized! It's finally time to get back on the bike and start "inaichi"!
This time, I had installed the route data provided by the InabeCity Cycle Tourism Executive Committee into a GPS cycle computer (bicycle meter with GPS function) in advance so that I could use the navigation, so although there were some places I would pass for the first time, the course was It should be okay!
After starting Uribou, turn left at the intersection with National Route 421. Continue on the national highway for a while.
There is a lot of traffic in this section, with large vehicles passing by, and the road shoulder is a bit narrow, so please drive with caution. Turn right at the Oizumi Shinden intersection, then immediately turn left again. The route is difficult to follow if you are not familiar with the area, but this time there is a navigation system so you don't have to worry about it.
However, since the course was created by a local cyclist, it was quite easy to ride once you got off the national highway. What's more, it's fun to ride on a roller coaster-like course with short ups and even shorter downs!
The person who created this course must definitely love bicycles (lol).
...As I was running comfortably along Prefectural Route 610, I arrived at my first destination of the day, Frog-sama. It's a stone frog statue with the word ``safe'' carved into its stomach, and if you stroke it, it will tell you that you will return home safely. I patted it while praying that I too would be able to run safely♪
◆ TOJ mountain award points
From Frog-sama onwards, there will be intermittent uphill climbs.
Each climb isn't particularly long, but before you know it, you're climbing quite a bit.
My advice to Mr. Murakami, who is a bicycle beginner, is, ``You don't have to go too fast, so just use a light gear and take your time up the mountain.''
Most of the uphill climbs on this course are concentrated in the first half, and the second half is mostly downhill, so once you clear the first half, you can handle the rest. However, pacing is important, such as intentionally holding down the pace in the early stages so that you don't get tired in the first half.
As I did so, I saw Shosenji Temple on my left. This is said to be a famous spot for weeping cherry blossoms, which are 340 years old. You can enjoy the beautiful weeping cherry blossoms around the beginning of April every year! It's going to be an uphill climb from here, so we recommend taking a break while viewing the cherry blossoms!
The most difficult part of this course is the climb towards the TOJ Mountain Award points. On the way up, you will join the TOJ course. This is the downhill section of the race, where you come up from the Umebayashi Park side and descend at a tremendous speed, but if you go up the race course in the opposite direction, it's quite steep.
"We're almost at the mountaineering award point! Let's do our best!"
"I can't trust cyclists' 'immediate' and 'slightly' statements!"
...While I was saying that, I arrived at the mountain award point!
Let's take a commemorative photo.
From here, we will go down towards Bairin Park. A little further down from the mountain award point, there is also a scenic point overlooking Nakazato Dam and the Suzuka Mountains.
"Wow! What a nice view!"
The good thing about this course is that there is a reward for those who work hard to reach the top.
There is a three-way intersection a little further down from the mountain award point.
The slope that descends from here towards Umebayashi Park is one of the most difficult parts of the TOJ Inabe Stage, commonly known as ``Inaberg''. The name Inaberg comes from Koppenberg, a steep cobblestone hill that is a traditional classic race held in Belgium, the home of bicycle racing.
The maximum slope of Inaberg is 17%! The road is narrow, and it is as tough as the original! This point is reminiscent of a difficult point in a classic race, and is also one of the key points in the TOJ Inabe stage.
When I come to watch the Nabe Stage on my bicycle, I always ride here after the race, but even though I've had a fair amount of training, it's hard to climb up even in the lightest gear! Is it the nature of cyclists who love hills to want to climb even when they know it's going to be tough? We will introduce it as an optional course, so if you are interested, please give it a try! Furthermore, it will be even more impressive to watch professional athletes run through this section at the TOJ in May!
InabeCity Agricultural Park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Bairin Park where the plum festival is held from early to late March, and is located in the Tokai region where 4,000 plum trees of 100 varieties are planted on a vast site of 380,000 square meters. It is one of the largest plum orchards.
InabeCity Agricultural Park has a strong image of plum blossoms, but it is actually a famous spot for peonies, and you can enjoy about 5,000 peonies blooming from late April to early May!
◆ Kusamochi Eboshi
Leaving Bairin Park, we returned to Inaichi's route.
From here it's a gentle climb up to National Route 365. Once you have experienced the most difficult part of this course, the climb to the top of the mountain, and the optional Inanaberg, it is strange that it doesn't feel so tough. When you reach National Route 365, turn left.
After following the road for about 1.5km, you will see a signboard for ``Kusamochi Eboshi'' on your left.
``Ah, this is it! I'm hungry, so let's stop by!'' Mr. Murakami's gourmet sensor seemed to have activated.
There is a cycle rack in front of the store. I'm glad they seem to welcome people who come by bicycle!
At the counter, in addition to their signature product, kusa mochi, there are delicious handmade Japanese sweets made with seasonal local ingredients, such as Domyoji-style sakura mochi, black bean daifuku, and shiso manju.
We each ordered one kusa mochi.
"Kusamochi uses local rice and mugwort. Please take a break over there," the owner said, leading us to a rest area in front of the hearth in a corner of the store.
Apparently there is a fire in the hearth during the winter.
When you pick it up, the mochi is soft and fluffy, and you can tell it's freshly made.
When you take a bite, the aroma of mugwort spreads in your mouth. Simple but gentle taste. It's not too sweet and you can have as many as you like. Thank you for the meal!
basic information
Kusamochi Eboshi
Address: 1152-1 Furuta, Fujiwara-cho, InabeCity
Phone number: 0594-46-2448
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Wednesday
Departing from Kusamochi Eboshi, head south again on National Route 365. After going about 5km, you will see a stylish log house on your right. Murakami's gourmet sensor was activated once again.
“Here we are, Café Attant! This is a restaurant recommended by locals!”
"Oh, there's a cycle rack here too!" It's a little intimidating to enter a fashionable shop in a cycling jersey, but as a cyclist, I'm grateful that there's a cycle rack, as it feels like I'm being given a reprieve that cyclists are welcome. It is!
The store has a gentle atmosphere filled with the warmth of wood, and is even equipped with a wood-burning stove, which is used as a heating device! The staff showed me to my seat, asked for recommended dishes, and ordered.
The bacon is thickly sliced and full of volume! The lettuce was crunchy and delicious! In addition, we highly recommend Hassaku tea (500 yen) containing hassaku pulp, freshly baked bread (320 yen), and more!
In particular, the hassaku tea has a refreshing taste and a refreshing aroma, making it a great match for sandwiches and bread!
French toast plain (480 yen) and egg-filled pudding (250 yen).
“The richness of the eggs in both is amazing!”
“The fluffy texture of French toast is irresistible!”
The taste was impressive. We were hungry after a long run, so we devoured the hearty meal in one go.
According to the staff, the eggs used in the French toast and pudding come from chickens raised on domestically produced rice called ``Komeme Tamago'', and although they don't have the smell of eggs, they have a rich flavor. It is said to be characterized by its depth. No wonder the eggs were so rich!
The food and desserts were delicious, and our stomachs were very satisfied. It was so cozy that I wanted to relax here, but I had to leave before the sun set, so I left the store with a reluctance.
basic information
cafe Attente
Address: 1950-3 Yamaguchi, Fujiwara-cho, InabeCity
Phone number: 0594-46-4800
Business hours: 9:00-17:30
Closed: 1st Tuesday and Wednesday of the month
Now that we've had our fill, we'll be heading to Nishi-Fujiwara Station on the Sangi Railway Sangi Line, deviating from the original Inaichi route to introduce you to another charm of Nabe.
According to railway enthusiasts, Inabe is a very interesting area. The Sangi Railway Sangi Line operates cycle trains that allow you to bring your bicycle onto the train. This service is still rare nationwide.
Normally, in order to bring a bicycle onto a train, the frame and wheels must be disassembled and stored in a special bag called a bicycle bag. Traveling by public transportation with your bicycle in a special bag is called cycling, but with cycling, you also need to assemble your bicycle before you start cycling at your destination.
However, if you use the cycle train, you don't have to do that, so you can easily use the train while cycling! From here on out, the course is mostly downhill, but if you're not confident in your stamina, you can take a shortcut to Misato Station and "warp" to the point with about 5km left!
Let me introduce you to another highlight about Inabe's railways.
These are the Meganebashi Bridge and the Nejiri Bridge on the Sangi Railway Hokusei Line. The Sangi Railway Hokusei Line uses a ``narrow gauge'' track width of 762 mm, which is quite unusual for a line that is open to the general public.
Because the track width is even narrower than the narrow gauge used by JR conventional lines, the trains are also quite narrow, and because of their appearance, they are affectionately nicknamed "matchboxes" by railway fans.
The best spots to see such cute trains are Megane Bridge and Tsuri Bridge.
From Nishi-Fujiwara Station, return to the Inaichi route and take National Route 306 to National Route 421. There is a bit of traffic around here, so be careful when driving. Turn right at the signalized intersection just after crossing Mikasa Bridge. Then you will see Megane Bridge on your left. Furthermore, there is a torsion bridge a little east of Meganebashi.
Both bridges are arch-shaped concrete bridges, but Megane Bridge has three arches and Torsion Bridge has one arch. Just as our group was passing by, a cute train called "Matchbox" was passing by!
I quickly set up my camera at the twisting bridge and was able to take some photos! If you've come this far, you'll be close to the finish line.
Cycling ends when you arrive at your hometown station, Uribou, but this time we have prepared a special plan for you! Load the bicycle into the car and head towards ageki Station on the Sangi Railway Hokusei Line.
There is a bathing facility called ageki Onsen in front of ageki Station, so we decided to take a bath here♪
It's a great course to work up a sweat, feel refreshed, and recover from fatigue before heading home.
In addition to the courses introduced so far, Mie Prefecture has many more attractive courses. There may be an attractive course that I haven't run yet. We would like to continue to introduce more and more courses that will allow you to visit, taste, experience, and enjoy the charms of Mie Prefecture by bicycle!
[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!
・ [Shima Edition] Cycling along the seaside, visiting lucky charms and gourmet food!
・ [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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