Tobishima Kaidō vs. Shimanami Kaidō
A comparison of two popular island routes from a cycling point of view. Each has its fans, but both beg to be ridden.
A comparison of two popular island routes from a cycling point of view. Each has its fans, but both beg to be ridden.
A street of Edo period buildings uniformly painted with bengara ferric oxide. This town once thrived from mining this valuable red mineral.
A quick look at the history of Setouchi, the area around the Seto Inland Sea.
Kurashiki is best known for the Bikan Historical Quarter, now preserved as a historic district, with many of former storehouses converted into characterful shops, museums, and cafés.
Kibiji is an ancient road connecting Sōja and Okayama, the central area of what was once the kingdom of Kibi. Traversing a vast plain, the road is level and ideal for cycling.
Kurashiki is best known for the Bikan Historical Quarter, now preserved as a historic district, with many of former storehouses converted into characterful shops, museums, and cafés.
Bitchū Matsuyama Castle stands on a mountain high above the town of Bitchū Takahashi. The high stone walls are very impressive, and the view from the keep is expansive and awe-inspiring.
The small city of Takahashi in the mountains of Okayama grew up around Bitchū Matsuyama Castle. It retains much of its Edo period atmosphere, with many old merchant premises close to the river.
Despite its relatively isolated location, Hagi had a remarkable impact on Japanese history at the end of the feudal period and the early modern period.
A Shintō shrine in Akitsu with a sake theme. In the shrine compound is a fine bronze statue of Miura Senzaburō, who devised a method for brewing sake with the soft water of Hiroshima.