A busy traffic day getting to Kagoshima

We have had a wonderful break staying at the Onsen hotel. Unfortunately Mary Ellen is feeling unwell, but we need to carry on. On paper, it looks like an easy day of riding along the coast, but since it is the only road available we know it will be busy. These older roads can be pretty bumpy and they lack a lane for bicycles or a space to pull off. We will need to ride smart. As has been our fate lately, the weather is not the best…windy and rain is coming. Nonetheless, this does not spoil our excitement at returning to Kagoshima, one of our favourite cities on Kyushu.

Isubuki is also famous for sand Onsens. They bury you up to your neck in sand at a beach heated by a hot spring. Unlike regular onsens where you are naked, you wear a yukata robe when buried in the sand. Afterwards, you wash the sand off and hop into a regular onsen. We have never tried it. They do the same thing at a beach in Kagoshima.

Well it’s time to say goodbye to our onsen friend and get on the road to Kagoshima. Not sure what happened to him…we both sat in these with jetted stone tubs and it was incredible.

Mini trucks like these are everywhere in Japan. Usually they are white and are being driven by older Japanese men. This is a brand new Suzuki mini truck. Perhaps our trikes could fit in the back. We just have to find one back in Canada.

Interesting architectural design on a building near our hotel.

We will be riding most of the day on national route # 226

The kadomatsu is a traditional decoration for the new year holiday

About 15 km after leaving Isubuki, we stopped at the first Michi-no-Eki of our day. The sun was shining but it was very windy. We bought some mandarin oranges, took a few photos and headed off towards Kagoshima.

Barry saw these colourful mailboxes at the lookout near the Michi

Sakurajima, the active volcano that sits across from Kagoshima is in low clouds today. It may look quiet today, but it is never sleeping.

Off in the distance is the massive Nippon Oil and energy Kiire terminal.

Heavy traffic, heavy wind and soon heavy rain

We stopped at the Kiire Town Michi-no-Eki, after battling the heavy traffic along the two lane coastal road. This rest stop was the first Michi to be established in the Kagoshima prefecture. A large onsen was located at the Michi as well.

Images of Saigo Takamori and his dog can be found everywhere around Kagoshima. He is known as “The Last Samurai.”

Not sure what these are. They have the shape of daikon but not the white skin of daikon. Any suggestions are welcome….thanks to Ron Seguin we now know that it’s called Yamamoto (mountain yam). Ron says that it is grated and added to okonomiyaki batter to make it fluffier. Thanks, Ron for the information.

Welcome to Kiire Michi…the 1st registered Michi in the Kagoshima area. The folks working here were incredibly friendly.

We bought a variety of treats including these frozen cream puffs. They were delicious.

We saw these posters explaining about the dangers of white widow and red back spiders.

The square outpost on the coast represents the huge oil containment area…it is called the Nippon Oil and Energy Kiire Terminal.

The Nippon oil terminal included hundreds of these massive containers

Heavy traffic and no shoulder. When we saw trucks approaching we would pull over. The cars were mostly out for a Saturday cruise. The trucks have to make time as it is their business. However, all the vehicles were kind and patient with us.

Had to stop and give this big rig some room. It was a white knuckle day of riding and it didn’t help that it was a Saturday. Weekends are the worst.

Barry stopped at this interesting looking restaurant to get his rain gear on. A woman came out of the restaurant and saw his trike and his Canadian flag . She went to her car and gave Barry two bottles of lemonade as a gift. The next day in Kagoshima we saw the woman again in a busy shopping area. She was even more excited this time.

We are 15 km out of Kagoshima and the road is widening with more lanes and a ridable sidewalk

This is a large love hotel that is available on the booking platforms. It was over $100 for Saturday night. During the week it is around $50. Of course you can pay for one, two or 3 hours.

It took a long time to get through the outskirts of Kagoshima. Having a beautiful rainbow to guide us in was really special

We are so happy to be back in Kagoshima and staying at Dormy Inn in the centre of town. The hotel has an awesome onsen with therapeutic hot spring sourced water and free ice cream in the lounge by the Onsen. The hotel also offers free ramen every evening for their guests.

Barry went out to get dinner from a supermarket in Kagoshima. He discovered this Ferris wheel near the train station.

Today's ride: 50 km (31 miles)
Total: 1,688 km (1,048 miles)

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