Cyclist's Paradise North End

After the Australian group left Hokkaido we headed further up north to Rishiri & Rebun Islands off Wakkanai for research. Rishiri was so cycling friendly, it's a cyclist's paradise!
The islands are part of Rishiri, Rebun, Sarobetsu National Park.

オーストラリア人を見送った後、利尻&礼文島へリサーチしに行ってきました。天気には恵まれなかったけれど、サイクリングは格別でした！

Wakkanai is the northen most city of Japan. Rishiri is a 2 hour ferry trip away from Wakkanai. It is possible to take bikes on board, we just walked in from the back of ferry and had a comfortable sea trip to the island.

稚内からのフェリーには自転車を持って乗船。


What makes the island so special is the 25km of cycling road. The normal road goes all around the coast of island, which is about 60km including the cycling path. We allowed a whole day for cycling, with a plenty of time to stop and look around.

周囲約60kmの島ですが、そのうちの約25kmはサイクリングロードになっています。道路脇のガードレールに自転車模様が入っていたり、自転車専用の駐輪所があったり、サイクリストにとてもフレンドリーな島です。

The cycling road was great, not only because there was no car, but also because there were a few bridges built high over deep gorges where normal roads for cars don't go near. There you have a great sea view on one side and forest view on the other.

サイクリングロードは走りやすいだけではなく、景色も最高でした！フェリーのりばから内陸側に見える橋、写真はありませんが、あの山の中にそびえる橋は一般車両用の道路から離れていて、車窓からは見ることのできない景色も味わえます。自転車乗りの心をぐっとつかむような要素がいっぱい・・・本当にスペシャルなんです。

The view was great all day along while cycling. There was a section that goes through a flower field, and you always have sea and mountain views. Mt Rishiri, so called Rishiri-Fuji (as the shape resembles Japan's highest Mt Fuji) is located in the centre of island and is always in your sight. (It's hidden in clouds on the above photo...)

お花畑がしばらく続き、海、山が一日中視界にあります。島一周すれば利尻岳を360度から見渡せます。



You can also hike up to Mt Rishiri, it takes a day to complete the whole hike. We didn't have enough time to walk all the way up to the top but walked to a look-out point called "Pon" hill.

利尻岳、風が強く、時間もあまりなかったので、途中までしか登れませんでしたが、帰り道に大ポン山へサイドトリップ。


The view from Pon.　
短時間で登れて景色もよく、サイクリングと組み合わせるのもいいかも。






We also went to a neighbour island Rebun Island. It's about an hour ferry trip from Rishiri Island. Again the weather wasn't great but we enjoyed a half day hike. There is an 8 hour walking track which starts from the north top and finishes at the south end. By walking the track you will see everything of the island, flowers, forests and ocean. If Rishiri is for cycling, Rebun is for hiking!

Cycling in east Hokkaido is great but this area is as good as Shiretoko... Well I personally like the islands better as there are less people! I'm looking forward to going back there, with a group of cyclists next time!

日帰りで礼文島にも行ってきました。礼文島では半日ちょっとしか時間がなかったので、香深井あたりから西海岸へ渡るコースを歩きました。次回はスコトン岬からずっと島を南下する8時間コースを歩くのも良さそうです。

今回は天気があまり良くなかったので、またリベンジしたいです、ってまた遊びに行くための言い訳みたいですが、でもこれは外国人向けにツアーを組んだら楽しそうです。日本最北の島のサイクリングツアー、楽しみです！

Special tour in Hokkaido June 2009

道東ツアー5日間無事終了しました。参加してくれたオーストラリア人11名、北海道の自然、サイク リング、温泉に海鮮物と、北海道のいいとこすべて満喫してくれたようです。ツアー開始まだ2年目で学ぶこともたくさんありますが、これだけ集まってくれてとてもありがたいことだと思っています。見たことのないものの発見や、感動をわかちあえるのでツアー同行している毎日が新鮮で楽しいです。

Firstly thanks everyone for coming on the trip!

This trip was the second run in Hokkaido by Adventure South. 11 people from the North Shore Rowing Club in Australia came this far to Hokkaido to do a 5 day cycling tour.

They were already in Japan prior to the trip, visiting their sister rowing club. A returning customer of Adventure South contacted us earlier this year, and we put together a shorter version of Secrets of Hokkaido tour exclusive for the group.

今回のツアーは通常の10日間ツアーを短縮して、道東のみを5日間でまわりました。網走から屈斜路湖、砂湯であそんで、硫黄山経由で摩周湖へ。そして弟子屈、羅臼、相泊温泉によって、知床峠を越えてウトロへ。今回はウトロで泊まる時間がなかったので、網走へ戻って翌日空港解散でした。
現地ガイドはアロハバイクトリップのケンさんと、リアルニュージーランドのケンジさん。ガイド3人だとお客さんと一緒に走れる機会ができてgoodでした。サポートありがとうございました！

The tour started from Abashiri on the 15th June, then went to Teshikaga, Rausu, and back to Abashiri. The group departed Abashiri on the morning of 19th June. Like last year we had support again from Ken (Aloha Bike Trip). Kenji (from Land of Clouds) also joined our team this year so three of us took turns driving/cycling which worked really well.

The weather wasn't perfect, mostly cloudy, we had one day of drizzle. Probably very cold for people who are used to hot summer. But no one particularly complained (as far as I know!). To my relief people were finding the cooler temperature good for riding.

Food and onsen gained the popularity again. It's so special and something I'm proud of! It adds a cultural element to the trip, making our trip more than just a bike tour. Onsen is very relaxing, ideal for restoring tired muscles from cycling at the end of day. Seafood oriented food is healthy and guilty-free! It's also pretty to look at :-)


We had a real fun and laugh with this kangaroo. One of the participants brought this kangaroo and a sign (it said kangaroos next 14km) especially to surprise everyone. We've decided to keep it for future Aussie trips!

突然知床に現れたカンガルー。参加者の方がわざわざオーストラリアからみんなを驚かすために持ってきた、風船のカンガルーです。北海道ではこれのヒグマバージョンを用意したいですね。

Oh one complain from the group... not being able to sight a bear. Umm we should hunt for a fake bear like this kangaroo and set it up in the bush somewhere?

Thanks again everyone, and come again!

Arrived in Japan

Reached home finally!

It was a long journey home, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Osaka and Sapporo.
I enjoyed seeing Australia first time in my life. The sea water was so warm, better than in Christchurch summer really!

やっと札幌に到着です。クライストチャーチを出て、ブリズべン、ゴールドコースト、大阪、札幌と、いろいろ歩きまわってきました。初めてのオーストラリアも、冬なのにあったかくて、海が青くて、たくさんの発見があって、短い6日間でしたが満喫してきました。

The rainy season has just hit Osaka when I arrived there. That's how people survive through the rainy season in Osaka. Can you see the umbrella on the bike? It wasn't only one that I spotted there, there were heaps more!

大阪に着いたころはちょうど梅雨入りでした。日本のママチャリ。しかも傘つき。日本に来たことのない外国の方は、こういうの面白がって写真撮りますよね。自分も海外旅行者気分でパチリ。



Then finally Sapporo. It's great to be home. It's best! I'm heading to Abashiri with our local guide Ken san tomorrow. The 5 day tour starts on this Sunday from Abashiri and finishes back in Abashiri.


旅行も楽しいけれど、やっぱり札幌が一番落ち着きます。明日からオーストラリア人11人をつれて、道東サイクリング5日間ツアーです。

Fingers crossed for nice weather for the next 7 days or so!
明日から一週間良い天気に恵まれますように!