The
Seto Inland Sea area really lends itself to cycling. The islands,
most of which have coastal roads with very little traffic, allow
us to enjoy a relaxing ride while taking in the beautiful views.
A ride around the smaller islands takes less than one hour.
Most of the islands are accessible by ferry, allowing you to
take your own bicycle, while the easy availability of rental
bicycles allows anyone to enjoy this pastime.
The coastal roads offer stunning scenery both of the sea, and
also the beautiful mountains, with each island offering its
own special attractions, which change with the passing of the
seasons. Especially in 生口島 and 大崎下島, the mountains are blanketed
in orange and at the end of fall, you can see a spectacular
view of ripe-yellow oranges all over. Spring time is harvest
time and the wonderful smell of citrus fills the whole islands.
|
The
best cycling spot in the Seto Inland Sea is of course Shimanami
Kaido. Why not challenge yourself to cover the entire 80km sea
road by bicycle? The 14 convenient rental and drop-off points
along the route let you skip the exercise, relax, and take in
the wonderful view of the sea from the bridge. The entire route
may be a little strenuous for some, but you can always take
in a few of the islands, each of which offer their own unique
beauty and character.
On a practical note, the rental bicycles available are generally
basic - 3 geared models, and suited to the shorter Japanese
rider, so if you are over 165cm tall it may be a good idea to
buy an extra long saddle pole!
Bicycles can't be transported on trains unless they have their
front wheel removed and are packed snuggly in a special bicycle
bag.. |