Embark on a 3-Day Cycling Trip of Shimane and Tottori!
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Shimane and Tottori prefectures are famous for onsen, fine food, and magnificent scenery. The former is home to Izumo Taisha, known for enshrining the deity of matchmaking, and the latter is where you'll find Mizuki Shigeru Road, with many bronze figures of Japanese folk monsters.
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Tokyo, Japan
This article features a 3-day bicycle tour of Shimane and Tottori, where soothing onsen (hot spring), local cuisine, and incredible scenery await visitors. Bicycle enthusiasts should take advantage of the attractions in these two prefectures!
The items and admission fees listed below reflect the time of MATCHA's visit. Please note that they are subject to change.
Day 1: Shimane Prefecture
9:30 Izumo Enmusubi Airport
Recently, the number of travelers bringing their bicycles has increased. To accommodate cyclists, the information center on the first floor of Izumo Enmusubi Airport provides a free air pump. This is a great service for traveling cyclists.
After assembling your bicycle, it is a 90-minute ride to Izumo Taisha.
11:00 Izumo Taisha
Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, the deity of matchmaking, is enshrined at Izumo Taisha. Possessing a pure heart, the tale "Hare of Inaba" recounts how the deity helped a distressed white hare.
This is why there are stone figures of a white hare everywhere on the shrine grounds.
It is said that November is the month when deities from across Japan gather at Izumo Taisha. At the shrine, they talk about the connections between humans, making the shrine a sacred place for matchmaking.
From the shrine, it is a 5-minute walk to Sunaya, a restaurant serving genuine handmade soba.
12:00 Sunaya
Izumo soba is one of the famous local cuisines. The noodles are made from shelled buckwheat, which gives them a dark color.
Sunaya, located near Izumo Taisha, is the only restaurant in the area serving juwari soba (*1). The noodles have a firm texture and become more fragrant with each bite.
Their dipping sauce is made from round herring, dried bonito, and dried bullet mackerel. It has a sweet, elegant taste, which goes well with soba.
*1: Noodles made from 100% buckwheat flour.
After tasting the superb soba, it is a two-and-a-half-hour bicycle ride to Shinjiko Onsen in Matsue.
Irodori Sanshoku Wariko Soba: 1,240 yen
15:30 Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Footbath
Matsue Shinjiko Onsen, which opened in 1971, draws spring water from 1,250 meters below the ground. The water contains sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulfate. It is also said to be effective against joint and muscle pain.
The hot spring facility in front of Matsue Shinjiko-Onsen Station has a free footbath. It is the perfect spot for cyclists to take a break.
There is also a Jizo (guardian deity of children) by the footbath. It is said those who worship the Jizo and splash spring water on the figure will also be healthy and happy.
From the footbath, it is a 10-minute bicycle ride to Matsue Castle.
16:00 Matsue Castle
The castle and surrounding town is an important symbol of Matsue. The castle keep is one of 12 remaining structures in Japan and one of the five castles designated as a national treasure.
Although the keep appears to be four stories from the outside, it is five stories above ground with one story underground. The top floor offers a spectacular panoramic view of Matsue and Lake Shinji.
Those who wish to view the castle from various angles should board the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat, which tours the moats.
Matsue Station is 10 minutes away from the castle by bicycle. So, booking a lodging to spend the night in the area would be wise.
Admission Fee
Adults (High school students and up): 680 yen
Children (Junior high and elementary school students): 290 yen
Bicycles can be parked at the lot by Buratto Matsue Tourist Information Center.
Day 2: Tottori and Shimane Prefectures
The second day starts with a train ride on a San-in Main Line limited express, departing Matsue Station at 7:58 and arriving at Yonago Station at 8:23. From the station, it is a 5-minute bicycle ride to the Yonago Castle ruins.
8:30 Yonago Castle Ruins
From the remains of the Yonago Castle walls, about 90 meters above sea level, the panoramic view of Lake Nakaumi, the Sea of Japan reflecting the color of the sky, the towering Mt. Daisen, and Yonago City awaits visitors.
This is a famous spot in Tottori since the Diamond Daisen (*2) is visible around February 20 and October 22 every year. It is a spectacle that many photo enthusiasts hope to capture.
*2: The sun rising from the top of Mt. Daisen.
After enjoying the view, it is a 30-minute bicycle ride to Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary.
10:00 Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary
The sanctuary is located on the shores of Lake Nakaumi, which was designated as a Ramsar Convention site in 2005. There are more than 130 species of birds in the area, including the white-fronted goose, a protected species in Japan, and the bean goose.
Every year, from mid-October to late March, more than 1,000 Bewick's swans fly to the sanctuary from the Russian shores of the Arctic Ocean to pass the winter. The birds annually draw a large number of birdwatchers to the sanctuary.
It is an hour bicycle ride from the site to Eshima Grand Bridge.
12:00 Eshima Grand Bridge
The bridge, spanning 1,446 meters, connects Sakaiminato City (Tottori Prefecture) and Matsue City (Shimane Prefecture). Due to its unique form, it was used in an ad for a famous Japanese automobile company.
In the video, a special effect made the bridge look steeper, and it was called "beta-fumi zaka" (pedal to the metal slope), making it popular with the public.
Those who want to take a photo of the bridge that looks like a roller coaster should head to the shore of Daikon Island, about a kilometer away on the west side of the bridge, and use a telephoto lens.
It is a 30-minute bicycle ride after crossing Eshima Grand Bridge to Daikon, the next stop.
13:00 Daikon
Daikon is a lakeside cafe serving dishes crafted from local ingredients, with a view of Lake Nakaumi and Mt. Daisen.
The popular menu is spaghetti seasoned with homemade yuzu pepper. It is served with sharp-tasting, richly fragrant hama-bofu (beach silvertop), a delicacy cultivated on Daikon Island, along with Daisen bacon, which has a firm texture.
The unique sweet and tangy taste of soy sauce chiffon cake comes from Yada Shoyu, which is produced in Yasugi City in Shimane Prefecture.
The next stop is Yuushi-en Garden, which is 5 minutes away on a bicycle.
14:10 Yuushi-en Garden
Yuushi-en, famous for its peony and ginseng, is a chisen kaiyu style garden (Japanese garden with a path around a pond), where visitors can enjoy flowers each season.
Azalea and rhododendron in spring, iris and water lily in summer, maple and dodan-tsutsuji in autumn, and camellia and cold peony in winter are some species that can be seen at the garden. There are about 250 types of peonies, which can be viewed year-round.
Three restaurants are located in the garden, serving dishes made from local ingredients such as ginseng and eel. Please note that a reservation is required at all eateries.
After appreciating the beautiful flowers, it is a two-hour bicycle ride to Kaike Onsen, where we'll spend the night.
Day 3: Tottori Prefecture
8:00 Shiokaze no Ashiyu/Kaike Onsen
This hot spring, located in northern Yonago, is a rare spot where visitors can enjoy both swimming and onsen.
Attractive beaches with white sand and green pines, along with a view of Mt. Daisen, has contributed in Kaike Onsen being chosen in various rankings, such as the 100 best beaches, 100 best sunsets/sunrises, and 100 best townscapes.
Shiokaze no Ashiyu, looking out to the Sea of Japan, was built by Yonago City to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the hot spring opening. The spring water contains sodium, calcium, and chloride, which is said to be effective against fatigue.
After the footbath, it is an hour bicycle ride to Motoike Museum.
10:00 Motoike Museum of Leather Art
This musem, founded by Mr. Hideo Motoike, who is designated as a living treasure by Tottori Prefecture, is the first facility in the world exhibiting leather art.
Over 100 lively leather figures and animals, created by Mr. Motoike in 50 years, are displayed.
The museum shop handles leather tote bags, cosmetic bags, and accessories made by artisans. The items are perfect for daily use or as a souvenir.
It is a 20-minute bicycle ride to Yumeminato Tower, the next stop.
11:30 Yumeminato Tower
Yumeminato Park was built on the grounds of the 1997 Sanin Yumeminato Expo. It has since become a recreational area for locals.
The Sea of Japan, Mt. Daisen, Shimane Peninsula, Lake Nakaumi, and Kaike Onsen can be viewed from the 43 meters-tall Yumeninato Tower, the symbol of Sakaiminato.
At Tower's Cafe on the fourth floor, visitors can enjoy coffee and light meals while taking in the scenery.
From the tower, it is a 30-minute bicycle ride to the Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center.
12:30 Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center
The center, located next to Sakaiminato Fish Market, houses 12 stores handling Tottori seafood such as snow crab, red queen crab, bluefin tuna, and rock oysters, which can be purchased at an affordable price.
Along with fresh seafood, they also handle processed materials and light snacks, perfect for souvenirs.
There are two restaurants in the center serving seafood dishes, along with a dining area where visitors can taste their purchased goods.
After browsing stores, it's time to visit Sakaiminato no Sakanajuku: one of the restaurants.
13:00 Sakaiminato no Sakanajuku
This eatery, managed by Sanin Makiami Fisheries Cooperative, only uses seafood caught on the same day. So, all of the seafood is guaranteed to be fresh.
The most popular dish is the Jo-Kaisendon, served with 10 types of seafood such as squid, shrimp, salmon roe, and sea urchin. They all have firm texture and a sweet taste.
Visitors should sit at the counter on the north side, where they can view Sakaiminato and Sakai Suido Bridge. The lucky ones may be able to watch fishing boats unloading horse mackerel or sardine.
After lunch, we're heading to Mizuki Shigeru Road, located 10 minutes away on a bicycle.
Jo-Kaisendon: 2,000 yen (as of December 2023)
14:10〜 Mizuki Shigeru Road
Mizuki Shigeru Road is an 800-meter street in the city of Sakaiminato connecting Sakaiminato Station and the Mizuki Shigeru Museum.
The street is lined with 177 bronze statues of various yokai (spirit monster) that appear in the works of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. At night, there are projections of yokai shadows accompanied by charming music, creating a whimsical atmosphere that makes one feel as if in a world of Yokai.
The entire district looks like a work of art that reproduces the world of "GeGeGe no Kitaro," one of the most popular manga and anime series created by Shigeru Mizuki.
Even the buses are decorated with vivid depictions of yokai, and the streetlights are designed to resemble the character Medama Oyaji (Eyeball Father). It's a district that is both authentic and playful.
After capturing the Mizuki Shigeru Road in photos, you can reach the Yonago Kitaro Airport by bicycle in about 30 minutes, concluding the journey.
©Mizuki Productions
Shimane and Tottori: An Ideal Place for Cycling Travelers
Shimane and Tottori offers many appeals for cyclists. The hot springs, fine food, and scenery will work wonders on the weary body and mind. Plus, the trip is sure to boost your energy!
Sponsored by the Cycling Tourism Promotion Committee, Chugoku Region Governors Association
Author: Chu
Model: Hsuan
Written by
Tokyo, Japan
MATCHA's promotional account for corporate and local government advertising. We aim to provide useful information to our readers in an enjoyable manner.
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