愛媛のサイクリングパラダイスを探る：本物の日本を深く知る

愛媛のサイクリングパラダイスを探る：本物の日本を深く知る

Day four aime tour and we got a we started we actually at the southernmost part of theime prefecture which is Cape Kuomo and look at this view. Woo. Today we’re not going to start riding from here, but we’re going to go about 12k down that way. And uh now that well pretty windy to be honest and nothing to see on the way here from here to where we’re going to start and we’re going to start from there and make our way towards north side to see Wajima. And what we’re going to do today is we’re going to see we’re going to ride along the coast. It’s going to be a lot of beautiful scenery. So this is the starting point of today’s ride, day four. It’s about maybe 8 to 10 kilometers from Cape Kumo. There’s a small establishment in here where there’s a toilet and view of the port. Looks like a fishing village here. Very quiet from the locals and right up by the mountains. So we are at the stomari. Yes. Stoi. Yeah. Stoi. Stoi. Yeah. So this place is famous for the the type of building where the house is built. They actually build a you can see in here on the map. They build a stone structure underneath it. It goes higher and higher and the road goes Oh, probably can’t see it here. So it just goes higher above the where the roads are and one is to protect it potentially will be from the water and the second one is just as a viewpoint so you can see from there to the waterite. I reckon the view is going to be amazing up there. Now started the right going to go somewhere along the residential and coastal area. 1 km outside the city or the town. And we got this Heat. Heat. currently heading towards the museum. And there’s one building here on top of a hill. Haven’t find out yet what kind of museum. So, I’m going to stop for a bit, take a group photos, start again. So this museum is about there’s a an airplane or fighter plane some sort that fell into the water and they retrieve it and they’ve been preserve it here inside the museum. We’re going to have a look at it for a bit before we continue on with the right. It’s a fighter plane. So, it is a fighter plane that fell off the water. I don’t know whether it’s a a World War I or two. Don’t know. But that is pretty amazing. So 3rd of November is a culture day in Japan. It’s a long weekend, but every area have their own festival as well. So there’s one we I don’t know where we are now to be honest, but on this area they carrying all of this uh what they call it mikoshi around the town to bless the people around here. Yeah, people are dressing up. Hey I must the boys are enjoying this. What are we doing, Rob? I have no idea, but I feel like a bear. Go go go go go. Stop. That was a fun little soap joining the bit of a cultural exchange, a local festival carrying the heavy the what do you call that? Mikoshi. Mikoshi. And that was for to bless the area. Oh, that was really fun. Fun way to start the day. Carrying heavy stuff and drinking beers. The scenery now has changed. I think we headed to the inland. Uh got a feeling that we’re going to start climbing the mountain soon. So, we officially already started to climb. It’s a 15 km climb. We’re at 600 m of elevation gain. Where we going? We’re going to the top of that mountain where you can see the wind turbine. You can’t see it now. You can see it before, but that’s where we’re going to have lunch. Less than 8 km to go to the top of the mountain, which is say where the windmills. So far, the climb’s been really pleasant. Got about 3 to 5% all the way. No pinches, nothing hard. and gone through, you know, area forest tree, the residential area, forest tree, uh, right next to the river. And now we go on a narrow road to the top of the mountain. I think this is the second bit of the climb. About 5k to go, I think. And when it start getting higher gradient between 6 or 8% and the view change it to forestry, a lot of shades, big trees. So beautiful. You don’t feel hot. We climb here, make it easy and enjoy the scenery again until the top of the mountain. This I don’t know what to say anymore. It’s just an amazing part of the world. It’s just beautiful. This is another beautiful forest road in Japan. Winding. There’s a lot of sun came through between the the trees. Skips on and on and on. Makes the climb. It’s like you don’t feel it cuz the views keeps changing and it keeps getting beautiful. And the other thing is literally zero car. I couldn’t see I didn’t see any car at all. So it’s like a close road where you just climb you and your mates or just yourself up in a mountain enjoying it. What a day again. Day four. I reckon we almost arrive at top of the mountain. Start flattening up. It’s just 1%. So good. This climb just blew my mind. I reached the top and now downhill. Oh god, look at that. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. It’s part of the two today festival as well. Like we’re in the middle of nowhere and we got welcomed by this really good N and family. Hello. A hello. And they cooking this delicious festival. Like I don’t know what’s mostly it’s going to be chicken and pork. Look at this. Barbecue is going on. And over got the oento fruit. Grab a bento and stuff in there. And the amazing pork chop. Thank you so much. So, there’s another surprise from the local and they suddenly came up with this. What do you think, Rob? Don’t know where to start. Don’t go down. After the lunch, we got another 1.5 kilometers climb with 100 m of elevation back to the ridge before descending to the bay. Now back on the ridge and now we descend. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. What an amazing descent. how beautiful the sand that was. And now we’re going towards the bay side and along the bay side to Wajima. right now. Back to the base again. Start it with the river. Yeah, we’re back to the base side again and now we heading towards Why you And then back to the bay again and cruising along the coast has been really really scenic. Look at this. Oh. Woo. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. We’re still on the way to the next stop, but along the way had a couple of climbs that we do with this cl with this view. Pretty tough farming area down there. The oranges. Yeah. Want some mountain boots? They build that sort of roller coaster like that. You see that on the right? Yeah. Yeah. The trolley. He had the trolley like this to deliver the produce and it was everywhere. How can you not like this? We’re having a detour or quick stop to see the famous rice terraces coming. You watch it’ll circle around. Come look at it. It’s a beautiful formation of a rice terraces really high. Obviously, there probably didn’t really plant anything, but if there is probably going to be a beautiful place to see due to the time we decided to stop the right here and guess we have to go to the main road back to Wajima and we’re trying to avoid that. So, we’re going to take the shuttle back to the It’s been a really great day and it’s a great place to stop and finish a ride. And the highlights for today was the climb. That climb was gorgeous. The climb to the windmill. It’s an 8 km, but in total about 15 km. The last 8 kilometers it’s a total bliss. No car whatsoever and the scenery keeps changing. The forest road and every bit of it. It was just amazing and it’s just a feeling that you want to go up. Want to go down. I’m going to go up again and do the climb for a second time. So yeah, right for the day four. It’s a bay and a mountain and back to the bay again. Really excited for day five. See what’s going to see what we’re going to have for tomorrow.

Day 4 of the Ehime Cycling Tour took us deep into the southwest of the prefecture, riding from Ainan to Uwajima — a route that truly shows why this region is a cyclist’s paradise. It’s also where you experience the real Japan, the kind you won’t find in crowded tourist areas.

We started at the stunning southernmost point of Ehime, Cape Kuomo, with its open coastline and calm morning light. From there, we climbed into peaceful inland mountains, surrounded by quiet roads, fresh air, and the timeless charm of rural Japan.

Then the ride opened back onto the coast as we headed toward Uwajima — rolling hills and winding roads hugging the water. Every minute on the bike felt like something worth slowing down for.

If you’re searching for authentic Japan and unforgettable riding, this route delivers it all.

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