I thanked the hostess and rolled out of Hagi. As I pedaled east I stopped at believe it or not, McDonalds. The Mcdonalds in Japan aren't as popular as conbini some not even having wifi but they tend to have better priced value meals, specials and always seem fresher tasting, (or maybe it's just the enhanced tastebuds and appetite from pedaling 80-150km) I rolled off passing a conbini on the next block, unaware it would be the last one I would see in a long while.
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| Rt 11 NE of Hagi |
Part of the reason for the word 'Happiness' on this sign were probably the downhills to follow!
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| Rt 13 entering Kibeshimo |
I think the Japanese really love and care for their flower gardens no matter how small or even it's location. I've seen beautifully cared for flowers on sidewalks under trees on the street side where in most western countries it would be considered no ones responsibility. The above is a stock photo using no filters.
Once I stopped to take a photo of flowers on the front lawn of a private house in the suburbs further north in Honshu. As I was framing the shot I heard someone quietly walking up the far alley and noticed out of the corner of my eye an elderly lady in her gardening outfit and large hat. She looked at my bike leaning on the fence, glanced at me as I was zooming for composition, smiled, and walked back to the rear of her house.
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| South of Tsuwano near Takasakiiameiteiatojido Park |
(Unknown to me, there was a supermarket near here.)
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| Rt 9 Rt 226 exit |
Pedaled a steep meandering trail to get up to this road looking for my campsite.
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| View from Makuraseyama Cabin |
I finally found Makuraseyama campground pushing my bike up some very steep trails. There was a sign for an observatory close by and noticed someone in the distance walking towards it but I continued to the campground as it was starting to darken. There were 2 or 3 nice cabins (all locked) with front porches looking down towards the city, a concrete sink with spigots to wash cookware, a locked main office and I think a bathroom. It didn't look abandoned but didn't look recently used either. Everything was in it's place.
On my ride through a few of the passes to get here, I heard in the trees high to my sides, then saw a wild monkey crossing the road in front of me. I wanted to set up my tent on one of the porches but was worried that a storm and accompanying wind would whip up through the valley or I would be attacked by a pack of wild monkeys scavenging for food(!), I set up my tent under the large, roofed eating area which had trees and part of the main office as a windbreak. Luckily I always carry some instant ramen, snacks, blendy coffee sticks and bananas I bought from a farmers market down the road a ways.
No wild monkey attacks and the night was pleasant. The tree branches told me of the increasing night winds and I set up a little windbreak of 2 benches on their sides as I cooked my evening meal. In the morning I packed, cleaned camp making sure all the benches were squared away and before leaving I went to the closed office and I left the camping fee in a wrapped paper on top of the mailbox apologizing in romanji because I didn't have the proper change. There were also a few things there (a USB charging cord, pen, umbrella) that I imagine had been found by someone cleaning up and placed there in case they would return. With hindsight, the campsite may have been seasonally closed. Still, probably the nicest campsite of this trip.
On my ride through a few of the passes to get here, I heard in the trees high to my sides, then saw a wild monkey crossing the road in front of me. I wanted to set up my tent on one of the porches but was worried that a storm and accompanying wind would whip up through the valley or I would be attacked by a pack of wild monkeys scavenging for food(!), I set up my tent under the large, roofed eating area which had trees and part of the main office as a windbreak. Luckily I always carry some instant ramen, snacks, blendy coffee sticks and bananas I bought from a farmers market down the road a ways.
No wild monkey attacks and the night was pleasant. The tree branches told me of the increasing night winds and I set up a little windbreak of 2 benches on their sides as I cooked my evening meal. In the morning I packed, cleaned camp making sure all the benches were squared away and before leaving I went to the closed office and I left the camping fee in a wrapped paper on top of the mailbox apologizing in romanji because I didn't have the proper change. There were also a few things there (a USB charging cord, pen, umbrella) that I imagine had been found by someone cleaning up and placed there in case they would return. With hindsight, the campsite may have been seasonally closed. Still, probably the nicest campsite of this trip.
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