Iron arch bridge with cyclist — Crossing the Kumagawa Gail Schulz

14 October 2018

Day 6 - Kumamoto to Hitoyoshi

This day was the longest and easily the best cycling leg of the tour. A short jump through suburban streets gives way to once again riding farm roads through crops of rice ready for the harvest and being harvested. Reaching the Kumagawa River we turned the bikes upstream and followed the river through winding valleys.

As soon as we left the coastal plain the road rose continually, but so gently it was hard to notice. The route keeps mainly to the opposite bank to the main road so you largely have the road to yourself. All the better to drink in the beautiful scenery and the aquamarine waters of the river below.

Route

Map of the route

Stay and Eat

We opted to stay at Kawasemi Onsen in Kumamura (Kuma Village), a little way out of the larger town of Hitoyoshi. There's not even a convenience store in Kumamura, but in typical ryokan style, a marvellous kaiseki evening meal and a hearty breakfast are included so you definitely won't go hungry.

Big sky over rice fields and a touring cyclist — Kumamoto Rice Fields

White heron in a rice field — Kumamoto Rice Fields

Rice harvester in operation — Kumamoto Rice Fields

Bike path on river levee with blue hills in the distance — Cycling the Kumagawa

Road tunnel with good cycle / pedestrian path

2 touring bicycles beside a river — Kumagawa River

Japanese kaiseki meal — Dinner at Kawasemi Onsen