Seto Inland Sea Bike Tour
DAY 54:
I still remember that during the Shikoku Pilgrimage last month, I only passed by Imabari from Matsuyama in a hurry. After visiting the 54th to 59th Banshaisho, I went directly to Saijo City without staying for long. However, Imabari City is located in the northeast of Ehime Prefecture, almost in the center of the Seto Inland Sea, spanning the Takama Peninsula and the Geiyo Islands. The terrain is diverse. The Shimanami Kaido, which connects to Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture, is a sea route composed of beautiful islands and bridges. The 60-kilometer road allows you to fully enjoy the scenery of the floating islands in the Seto Inland Sea. From the window of my room on the sixth floor of the Kikusui Imabari Ryokan where I stayed last night, I could see the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge and Imabari Castle. Imabari Castle is one of the three largest water castles in Japan, along with Nakatsu Castle in Oita Prefecture and Takamatsu Castle in Kagawa Prefecture. In 1602, Fujido Takatora decided to build a new castle to facilitate the development of the city's economy. Considering that it was a key point in maritime transportation at the time, he introduced seawater into the city, which became a feature of the city. In addition to its nationally renowned shipbuilding industry, Imabari is also a major towel production base in Japan. The towels produced locally have excellent "water absorption", which is one of the features that many people attach great importance to when purchasing. Only towels produced in Imabari City that meet the strict standards set by the "Imabari Towel Industry Association" and are certified can use the "Imabari Towel Brand" certification mark. The red color on the logo symbolizes the faith and enthusiasm of the production staff; the blue color represents the excellent quality nurtured by the 120-year history of Imabari towels; and the white color expresses the softness, cleanliness, sincerity and infinite possibilities of the towels. The seal, designed with only three simple colors, shows the origin, quality, and sincere commitment to consumers.
Attractions:
Imabari Castle, Fuki Shrine, Inari Shrine
Imabari Towel Factory
Accommodation: Shikoku Chuo Select Hotel
Today's cycling distance: 81 km
Cumulative cycling distance: 2654 km
#Japan
#Shikoku
#Shikoku Pilgrimage
#Shikoku Pilgrimage Association
#Seto Inland Sea
#Shikoku Disease
#Tokushima
#Awa Shrine
#Kochi
#Tosa Shrine
#Ehime
#Sanuki Shrine
#Kagawa
#Iyo Shrine
#Bicycle Tour
#Two People Traveling
#Kobo Daishi
#Namu Daishi Henjo Kongo
#Shikoku Pilgrimage 88 Places
#Go Pilgrimage
#Shimanami Kaido
#Shodoshima
#Setonaikai National Park
#Don't Ask Me How Much Money Will It Cost to Travel
#Ask Yourself How Many Years of Youth Are Left
#japan
#tokushima
#kochi
#ehime
#takematsu