🚴♂️20251009 日本單車環四國一周認證 12日＋島波海道D7
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
從太平洋到清流—穿越浦之內灣與七子峠，騎向四萬十川
高知 → 四萬十川市 📏 本日總里程：約 129 公里
一早離開高知，車隊進入浦ノ内湾（うらのうちわん）一帶。浦ノ内湾以其細長蜿蜒的地形聞名，從灣口向內延伸約 12 公里，是典型的 沈降性海灣，外海波浪被橫浪半島遮蔽，使內灣多為寧靜水域。在這片受保護的灣域中，海浪微弱，水面如鏡，寧靜得如一幅淡藍畫布。沿岸有不少入江與岬角，彷彿一條條水道向山裡延伸。走在岸邊，感受到海的包覆感，也理解為何這裡常被稱為“像湖一般”的海灣。
這段開場，以海灣的柔和為我們的騎行預熱，也讓雙眼與心靈都能先靜下來感受沿途的風景。
離開海岸進入山區後，騎行來到 七子峠（ななことうげ／七子垰） 所在的舊道路段。根據地方地名與舊道研究，七子峠一帶曾是久禮（Kure）至窪川、再通往四萬十方向的重要山越路線。這裡昔日山徑崎岖，一路上有古谷、中大坂、中坂、片坂等支道會合七子峠，地勢多變，是過去交通往來的要衝。
從這裡可以眺望太平洋與山脈交界的遠景（若視線開闊），也能感受騎上山脊線的那股攀爬力道與風的包覆。
對我們來說，七子峠像是一條隱形橋梁，將太平洋海岸與清流河谷連接起來，是自然與騎行意義交錯的路段。
從峠頂下坡之後，路線融入四萬十川流域的腹地。沿途是稻田鄉村、淺溪小橋、古樸住宅，騎行節奏放慢，只聽得見車輪與風聲、蟲鳴與水流。這一路幾乎沒有遊客、只有我們與大地的對話。
四萬十川，是高知縣西部最具象徵性的河流之一，流域幹流長達約 196 公里，流域面積約 2,270 平方公里。它因為未在上游大規模開發、少建壩、流速平穩，水質清澈見底，被譽為 「日本最後的清流」。與長良川、柿田川齊名為日本三大清流之一。
當我們沿著河岸騎行，清水潺潺、山色倒映其間，河床岩石紋理可見。水流低緩，魚影、苔蘚、倒影構成細膩的畫面。這裡不是壯麗的瀑布，而是細膩的流動，讓人願意在河旁停下來深呼吸。
四萬十川的河道嬌柔中帶著靜謐，是一種柔軟卻深刻的山水。對於騎行者而言，它是終點也是開始：清流的洗禮，讓長途走來的骨骼與疲憊都能暫時靜止。
在本日之前，我們曾在高知城立足。高知城位於高知市中心，為 “南海道首屈一指的名城”，亦是日本現存 12 座 天守閣（城堡主樓） 之一。城堡歷經火災、戰亂、拆除與重修，多次波折卻仍保存至今。
雖然今天我們已離開高知城區，但這座城堡的歷史餘溫仍在——它見證了土佐地區的政治、文化與風土變遷，也讓我們在騎行中更能體會「土地與人之間的時間」感。
傍晚抵達四萬十川市，河光在夕照下微微閃爍，山影低垂。這條清流作為今日的終點，也是一座情緒的港口：在旅程中流過，洗去了高強度的騎行與山海壓力，留下柔和的安定。
夜晚降臨時，河岸微風拂過，星光與河面倒影共舞。或許明日的行程仍有未知，但今晚，能在這河聲中安睡，是最美好的回饋。
#騎行四國 #清流四萬十 #浦ノ内湾 #七子峠 #最後的清流 #山海一路 #biketour #CyclingJapan #四國環騎 #戀山戀海戀單車
🚴♂️ 20251009 Japan Shikoku Island Cycling Challenge 12 Days + Shimanami Kaido D7｜Kochi → Shimanto River City 📏 Distance: approx. 129 km
Departing Kochi in the early morning, our team entered the serene Uranouchi Bay (浦ノ内湾).
This long, narrow inlet stretches about 12 kilometers inland — a classic rias-style drowned valley bay protected by Yokonami Peninsula. The waves are calm, the water like a polished mirror reflecting the pale blue sky. Small coves and peninsulas extend inward like delicate brushstrokes of a watercolor painting. Standing by the shore, you can feel the embrace of the sea and understand why locals describe it as “a bay that looks like a lake.”
The gentle rhythm of Uranouchi Bay set the tone for the day — a peaceful prelude before the climbs to come, calming both eyes and spirit before the mountains unfolded ahead.
Leaving the coast behind, we began climbing toward Nanako Pass (七子峠 / Nanako-tōge).
According to historical maps and old road records, Nanako Pass was once an important mountain route linking Kure and Kubokawa, connecting the eastern and western parts of Tosa.
In the past, this path was steep and winding, with multiple sub-routes such as Furutani and Nakazaka joining near the pass — a vital gateway through rugged terrain.
From its ridgeline, the horizon opens to a sweeping view where mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. The climb demanded steady effort, yet every pedal stroke was rewarded with wind and open sky.
For us, Nanako Pass felt like an invisible bridge — linking the wild ocean coast to the gentle rivers inland, where nature and cycling merge into one continuous rhythm.
Descending from the pass, the route blended into the quiet heartland of the Shimanto River basin.
The scenery softened into rice paddies, narrow wooden bridges, and countryside homes. The pace slowed; the only sounds were the hum of wheels, the chirping of insects, and the whisper of the wind.
There were no crowds, no noise — only us and the living earth beneath our tires.
Flowing for 196 kilometers across western Kochi Prefecture, the Shimanto River is often called “Japan’s last pristine river.”
Because no major dams were built upstream, its flow remains pure and undisturbed. Together with the Nagara and Kakita rivers, it’s honored as one of Japan’s Three Great Clear Streams.
Riding along its banks, we watched the gentle current glisten under the sun — pebbles visible beneath the emerald surface.
Fish darted between rocks, moss swayed under the water, and the river reflected the green mountains above.
It wasn’t dramatic or wild — just endlessly graceful, inviting us to breathe deeply and pause in quiet admiration.
For every rider, Shimanto is both an ending and a beginning — its clarity washes away fatigue, leaving only peace in motion.
Earlier in the journey, we stood within the historic grounds of Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s twelve surviving original castles.
Known as the pride of the Nankaidō region, it has endured fires, earthquakes, and wars — yet still stands resilient in the heart of Kochi City.
This river, calm and luminous, became the day’s final destination — a harbor not just for our bikes, but for our thoughts.
As night fell, stars mirrored in the still current. Perhaps tomorrow would bring new climbs and discoveries — but tonight, resting by the river’s song was the perfect reward.
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