Former Self-Defense Forces talent Kazari has joined the [Mie Travel YouTube Team], which promotes the charm of "Mie Travel" through YouTube videos and special articles on sightseeing in Mie! This time's mission is "Visiting Shima with Bianchi cycling!" The experience is also available as a YouTube video ♪ Please see the bottom of the article for details.

Enjoy Shima to its fullest by riding the smoothly moving Bianchi! (((っ･ω･)っ

■Table of contents

• 1. About bianchi
• 2. Rent a Bianchi at Bicycle Journey, a bicycle rental shop in ShimaCity!
• 3. Explore with Bianchi! Recommended scenic spots and gourmet spots in Shima
• anori Lighthouse
• Kinkimo Kobo Ueda Shoten
• anori Shrine
• Yokoyama Sky Cafe Terrace Yokoyama Observatory
• Chevron Cafe SHEVRON CAFE
• Kōfu Shirahama (Kōfu no Hama)
• Shima Ohashi Bridge (Shima Pearl Bridge)
• Melon House Kawaguchi
• Azurihama

1. About bianchi

Bianchi is the world's oldest bicycle brand, founded in Italy in 1885, the year the current bicycle (a safety type with the same size front and rear wheels) was invented. The distinctive feature is the color of the body. It is famous for its refreshing blue color with a slight green tinge called ``Celeste''. It became popular because famous bicycle racers from all over the world used Bianchi's Celeste color bikes and jerseys. By the way, celeste is an Italian word that means ``blue sky'' or ``sky.''

ShimaCity, where I will be cycling with Bianchi this time, is an area with many scenic spots facing the sea. Bianchi's celeste color and the blue of Shima's nature match perfectly! So cool! !

2. Rent a Bianchi at Bicycle Journey, a bicycle rental shop in ShimaCity!

Bianchi can be rented at Bicycle Journey, a bicycle rental shop in ShimaCity. In addition, even if you have never ridden a cross bike like Bianchi, the shop staff will teach you how to adjust the saddle and how to ride it so that you can rent it with confidence! By the way, this is also Kazari's first attempt at a cross bike. Right before I got on the bike, I was a little nervous and wondered if it would be okay, but once I got on the bike and started pedaling, I was able to ride it right away!

At "Bicycle Journey", in addition to Bianchi, you can choose electric assist bicycles, junior bikes, fat bikes, etc. according to your needs♪ (Cross bike 3,000 yen including tax (1 day) Junior bike 2,000 yen including tax (1 day) Fat bike 3,000 yen (tax included) (1 day) Electric assist bicycle 4,000 yen (tax included) (1 day)

3. Explore with Bianchi! Recommended scenic spots and gourmet spots in Shima

anori Lighthouse

anori Lighthouse is one of only 16 lighthouses in Japan that you can climb. It is built on Cape Anori, which separates anori Bay from the Pacific Ocean, and if you climb up to the lighthouse, you can enjoy a spectacular view from a height of 35 meters above the water.

The square shape of the lighthouse is also distinctive. It seems that when it was first built (around 1896), it had an octagonal structure. Around 1945, the ground at the tip of the cape began to collapse, so when it was rebuilt, it became a square structure.

Climb the lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular view. I was so moved by the blue sky and vast ocean that spread out in front of me, saying, ``It's so beautiful!'' The waves crashing just below the lighthouse are impressive. ``When I ask people from outside Mie Prefecture what they think of Mie Prefecture, many of them say, ``A city with a view of the ocean.''The anori Lighthouse is also a spot where you can enjoy spectacular ocean views, so it's popular among people from outside Mie Prefecture. I would definitely recommend it,” said Kazari. Everyone, please come and enjoy the spectacular view from the lighthouse♪

After enjoying the view from anori Saki Lighthouse, go to the adjacent anori Misaki Park and take a quick photo of Bianchi with the lighthouse in the background. There are rest areas and restrooms within anori Anori Park, so you can take a break between cycling trips.

Kinkimo Kobo Ueda Shoten

When taking a break at anori Misaki Park, we recommend Ueda Shoten's ``Kinkoimo'' sweets. ``Kinkoimo'' is a local food of ShimaCity made from dried Hayato potatoes (a type of sweet potato), and has been popular as a snack for Ama divers, fishermen, and children. The black stick-shaped thing stuck on the left side of the "Kinkoimo Premium Parfait" (970 yen including tax) that we will be having this time is sweet potato honey. It has been devised so that it can be added just before eating to make it even more delicious. wonderful!

In addition to parfaits, Ueda Shoten has a wide selection of products, including the smooth and rich "Imomitsu Mousse Pudding" (from 400 yen including tax), and the dried sweet potato "Kinko Imo", which simply lets you feel the sweetness and umami of potatoes. You can also enjoy parfait at the store and buy kinkoko imo as a souvenir to take home.

You can clearly see anori Lighthouse from inside the Ueda Shoten cafe. While looking at the lighthouse and the beautiful scenery of Shima, you can enjoy a sweet and delicious Kinkoimo parfait. ``You can enjoy all kinds of Shima here!'' I was very satisfied. Also, Kinko is said to be popular as a ``stamina food,'' so it's perfect for a Shima cycling trip on Bianchi!

anori Shrine

After filling your stomach a little with the parfait, head to anori Shrine. anori Shrine is a historic shrine that is said to have aided the voyage of the fleet led by Yoshitaka Kuki, the lord of Toba Castle, and to have reduced the force of the great tsunami that occurred in 1966. In recent years, many people have been visiting the shrine in search of the ``Nami-no-mori,'' or guardian spirits who can safely ride the waves of good fortune. ``I want to ride some good waves!'' So we proceed to the grounds of anori Shrine.

Let's start by visiting the shrine. In addition to ringing the bell and joining hands, you can also beat the drum. When you beat the drum, a low, booming sound echoes through the shrine, giving you a feeling of tightening your body.

After visiting the shrine, I paid the firstfruits fee and received the Naminori no kami. A cute amulet with a shark and a wave drawn on it♪ The reason why a shark is drawn on it is... According to the information on the amulet, ``Sharks have had a deep relationship with the gods since ancient times,'' and ``Sharks are associated IseJingu. It is also considered to be an offering to the gods during festivals," and "even among Hawaiian surfers, it is considered good luck to wear shark tooth accessories." Sharks are an important motif.

Yokoyama Sky Cafe Terrace Yokoyama Observatory

Yokoyama Observation Deck is a scenic spot where you can see Shima's ria coastline from an altitude of 140m. You can also stop by the Yokoyama Observation Deck on your Bianchi cycling ♪ Kazari-san looks so comfortable under the sparkling sunlight.

There are 60 ojima spread out across Ago Bay directly below. The magnificent natural scenery will captivate your eyes.

Chevron Cafe SHEVRON CAFE

Bianchi I got hungry while cycling, so I had lunch at SHEVRON CAFE! It has a stylish exterior with retro cars on display.

Loco Moco (left photo) (870 yen including tax) and Taco Rice (right photo) (870 yen including tax). Both are brightly colored and look delicious!

Kazari eats taco rice on the terrace where you can enjoy your meal while looking out at the ocean. ``The sauce on the taco rice has just the right amount of sourness and is delicious!'' he said, enjoying his lunch time while cycling.

Store name: SHEVRON CAFE

Address 3517-16 Kokufu, Ago-ShimaCity Shima-shi, Mie 517-0506

Phone: 0599-47-4747

Business hours 11:00-21:00

Closed on Tuesdays

Kōfu Shirahama (Kōfu no Hama)

Next, we headed to KoushirahamaBeach (Kokufu Beach), which is also famous as a surf spot. The sea breeze feels so good! It's a perfect place for cycling!

The contrast between Bianchi's refreshing celeste color and the bright blue of KoushirahamaBeach is wonderful.

Shima Ohashi Bridge (Shima Pearl Bridge)

Shima Ohashi Bridge, also known as Pearl Bridge, is one of ShimaCity 's most scenic spots. As the name suggests, it is characterized by its pearl color, which is also a specialty of Shima. With a total length of 234m, it is truly a "big bridge". Near Pearl Bridge, you can enjoy the unique scenery of ShimaCity facing the sea, such as pearl farming rafts floating and ships sailing smoothly on the sea.

Well now...the sun is setting a little. The pearl bridge dyed in golden yellow also has a nice atmosphere.

Melon House Kawaguchi

``Melon House Kawaguchi'' is a cafe specializing in melons, directly managed by Kawaguchi Farm, which grows the specialty ``Nanbari melon'' from Hamajima-cho ShimaCity City. As soon as you enter, you'll notice a greenhouse for growing melons. In order to provide sweet and delicious Nanhari melons throughout the year, the greenhouses are cultivated in separate harvest seasons. The owner is particular about quality, and says, ``In order to ensure that they grow deliciously and uniformly, we carefully cultivate them by numbering each fruit and adjusting the height of the fruit as they grow.'' Thank you.

Beautiful Nanjang melons, grown with great care, are like jewels. This time, we will have 100% melon juice (800 yen including tax) made from the pulp harvested on the day and 1/8 cut melon (400 yen including tax)♪

Enjoy 100% melon juice while looking at the lush green scenery of Hamajima. "I was surprised at how sweet it was, more than I expected! The fruit pulp remains in the juice and it's delicious!" was impressed by the outstanding sweetness and deliciousness!

Store name: Melon House Kawaguchi

Address 73 Minamibari, ShimaCity-cho, Shima-shi, Mie 517-0405

Phone: 0599-53-1006

Business hours 10:00-16:00

Closed: Monday to Friday *Open only on Saturdays and Sundays

Azurihama

The last place we visited was Azurihama. This beach is near the tip of the Shima Peninsula and is also famous as a sunset spot. The sea surface sparkles in the light of the setting sun. It's a fantastic atmosphere...

Sparrow Island (sometimes called Godzilla Rock because it looks like the profile of a monster) in Azurihama Beach is distinctive. “I had a lot of fun cycling Bianchi! There are so many wonderful spots in ShimaCity...I will come back again!” said Kazari.

A YouTube video shows them enjoying this mission. Please take a look★

A detailed report on other missions during this trip to Shima. Please also see the article below♪

"ShimaMediterraneanVillage" is fun whether you stay overnight or take a day trip♪Let's explore the city like you're traveling abroad!

Experience the “Ama diver” culture! Enjoy seafood at AmaHut（Amagoya）!

New dome-shaped tent! Enjoy glamping at “Laguna Ise Shima LUXUNA”!

Article production: MSLP