Cycling Japan – day 52 – Kaminokuni to Setana

Day 52 – Kaminokuni to Setana
Distance: 104km
Ascent / descent: 617m / 622m
Weather: rainy
Accommodation: Minshuku Uminoie, ¥5832 including dinner

I was excited to wake up today, knowing that I had two delicious donuts in my handlebar bag from yesterday 🙂 They went down very well with a hot black vending machine coffee!

Not long after starting out, I passed through a very picturesque town called Esashi. One of the oldest towns in Hokkaido, Esashi was once a herring fishing town.

Entering the old town of Esashi

Kaiyo Maru Memorial Museum signboard

A replica of the Kaiyo Maru warship that was built in the Netherlands for the Tokugawa Government

The ‘Esashi Umi-no-eki Kaiyo Maru’ building

The main street of Esashi, one of the oldest towns in Hokkaido

Lovely floral displays along the main street of Esashi

The main street of Esashi, one of the oldest towns in Hokkaido

Looking back down on the main street of Esashi, one of the oldest towns in Hokkaido

The old town hall of Esashi

The main street of Esashi, one of the oldest towns in Hokkaido

A beautiful traditional house and garden in the main street of Esashi, one of the oldest towns in Hokkaido

I’m seeing irises of all different colours everyday now

Continuing along the coast

I think this looks like a squirrel or godzilla

Rain was forecast for this afternoon but it actually started just as I was leaving a town called Setana around 1pm. Within 10 minutes of riding in the rain I was completely drenched, so I decided to turn back and try to find accommodation. Luckily, the first place I tried had a room and even though it was too early for the official check-in of 3pm, they let me in. From the outside the minshuku hadn’t looked so big, but looks were deceiving and there were at least 30 other people staying, mostly workers constructing the nearby wind farms. I had a relaxing afternoon listening to the rain.