Sapporo to Akita in Honchu

Day 20: It was a cool day w/ a lot climbing. Our destination was this Rider House off of Lake Shikotsuko.	This lake is surrounded by active volcanic mountains.	It's the low season, so the area is quiet. It rained much of the late afternoon and evening.	Other than those at the Rider House, there were not many people. Those at the Rider House were very friendly.	Day 21: Young Japanese on a one month walking tour departs.
Geno is not feeling well, so we decide to stay another day and hike Mt. Tarumaezan.	It's a short steep hike on a well maintained trail. Strong winds on top.	Due to high winds, we decided not to hike the rim trail.	Great views. After hiking down, we rode our bikes back to the Rider House.	Dinner outside during a cold windy night.
Owner of the Rider House.	Day 22: Getting ready to leave. This is our send off.	It rained most of the night. Roadways still wet when we started riding.	Geno approaching a dreaded tunnel. Riding a tunnel is still better than climbing a mountain.	We rode through hundreds of tunnels during this tour.
Last PIC of Lake Shikotsuko on a cloudy day.	There's another big climb today as we ride to Lake Toya.	We had intermittent sun, but it got colder as we gained elevation.	We were wet and cold from the climb when we encountered this market place at the top of the ascent.	Food is just the ticket.
Checking out the market. Lots of free samples.	Geno enjoying the outdoor heater.	I put on several layers for the descent.	Luckily, it warmed up as we descended.	We're in the apple region.
Roadside Fruit Stand.	The apples in Japan have been delicious.	Heading to Lake Toya.	Lake Toya on the right.	Pausing for sunflowers. Sunflowers have a special meaning for Geno.
Comparing maps.	We stayed at a Ryokan/Rider House for 1300 yen.	Walking the town after settling.	The threat of rain persisted through the evening.	Lake Toya, sight of the G-8 Conference.
Ferry rides were still available.	Lake Toya was quite developed with lots of fancy hotels and restaurants.	Korey warms his hands in hot onsen water along the sidewalk .	It's pretty here, but I'm cold.	Dinner at a local restaurant.
Every evening at 9:00 p.m., there are fireworks over the Lake Toya.	Day 23: Rode our bikes to the Rodeway Tram area for a quick morning side trip.	Andrew & Korey skipped the tram ride. Note volcanic mountain behind me.	Rodeway Tram to the top of Mt. Usuzan, another active volcanic mountain.	View of Lake Toya below.
I like this! A tram ride is the way to go; beats an uphill hike.	I think I need a shave.	Hiking around the mountain top.	Another view from the top.	Steps back to the Tram.
Kids perform a short dance.	Let's get some lunch and hit the road.	Today, we plan to ride to Muroran for the late evening ferry to Honchu.	Road to Muroran.	It's colder and some light rain.
The main bridge into Muroran is closed to cyclist.	Looking for dinner in Muroran city. We then caught the 11:25 p.m. ferry to Aomori city on Honchu.	Day 24: The ferry arrived in Aomori city at 6:30 a.m.	It's a rough start with very little sleep on the overnight ferry. At least the ferry has a sento for bathing.	It's a coolish morning somewhere below 50 deg.
Aomori coastal view	Bridge into Aomori.		Coastal view	Interesting architecture.
Let's find something to eat.	The food was tasty and it's cheap. We're all smiles.	Harvest time. Plants are hung to dry.	Touring an Architectural School	Interest design.
The art gallery was closed.	It's another climbing day into the mountains as we leave Aomori.	Taking a break at a false summit.	A Japanese historical memorial.	Jay on the mountain road.
MMM. Looks good.	Let's have lunch!	Outdoor tea stand. Help yourself.	High mountain woodlands.	Geno & I decide to stay at this old ryokan/onsen. The others camped nearby.
Our Japanese style tatami room.	Dinner and breakfast was included in the price.	Day 25: Geno gets water for the day. Locals travel from afar to get this special water.	Top of today's climb.	We then dropped into the dense shady woodlands.
It's one of the prettest routes of this trip.	Japanese ryokan.	Taking a break.	Talked w/ Japanese traveler who spoke english.	Very orderly. A reflect of its society.
Today's route was a top 5.	What a day with the intermittent sunlight.	Should I or shouldn't I. Didn't want to carry it on the bike.	Place for snack and lunch, a roadside marketplace.	Just in case you're curious.
Nice facilities, but there's never any paper towels or waste baskets.	Lunch time strategy session.	Back into the dense woods with its varying shades of green.	It just keeps getting better.	We're riding through Oirase Canyon.
We stopped so much today, we only rode 26 miles.	More waterfalls!	We finally come to the river source.	Lake Towadako!	Looking for the campground by the lake.
Old Japanese structure.	View of Lake Towadako.	We often see colorful flowers during our tour.	Our cabin on the lake. It even has a shower.	Day 26: Morning time on Lake Towadako.
Geno riding through filter sunlight.	Heading toward the big climb for the day.	Lake view! Hey, where's Geno.	It's a steep 2.5 mile, 11% plus climb.	View from the top. Jay is down below.
Our down hill run. No Geno.	Roadside market.	The apples are always good and tasty.	The landscape. Today we encountered heavy traffic and afternoon thundershowers.	Via a phone call, we learned that Geno was still back at Lake Towadako.
He was not ahead of us as we thought. He decide to stay put since he didn't have any maps.	Jay & Andrew pausing for the view. It was late in the afternoon.	Looking for the campground which was difficult to find.	Japanese elder working the fields.	Day 27: Our camp facilities. Our tents are nearby and it's laundry time.
We take a rest day so Geno can catch up.	I spend the day exploring the area around Odate city.	Local drying chestnuts. They are boiled until soft before eating.	Water source for the fields.	All around us, the harvest is taking place.
Local shrine along the river.	Riding through the fields.	I find the views captivating.	It's a hard day's work.	Vegetable & flower beside a house.
I'll call it "Sunlight on Fields of Rice".	And the work goes on for both man and woman.	Cementeries are usual near the community.	I love the views here.	The river runs through it.
Firework for the coming winter.	Visiting a local shrine.	Father and son.	From the harvester to the truck.	Rice grain collected from the harvester.
Heading back to camp after a day of exploring.	Day 28: The last two nights have been very cold. Breakfast at a convie.	Such vending machines are a common sight.	Geno is back with us as of yesterday. We're heading to the coast.	West coast of Honchu and the Sea of Japan.
Fisherman working on their nets.	Taking time to talk with a local elder. There were a lot of steep rolling hills at days end.	Our campsite. The rain was heavy during the night.	Day 29: Today, we'll ride the Oga peninsula.	The smile on Jay's face saids it all. The Road is still wet from overnight rain.
Stopping at a coastal overlook.	Nice view.	Locals are always curious about us traveling by bike.	Great view.	Ready to head down to the coast.
Coastal town.	This home is built over the road.	Local fishermen.	Fishing village.	Interesting sturctures used in the jetty.
Local fishers are a common sight.	The Gao Aquarium on the coast.	We have lunch at the aquarium.	I'm having a great tour so far.	Visitors enjoying the coastal view at the aquarium.
Like northern California, it's a hilly ride along the coast.	The climbs are steep, but the views are great.	It's rugged similar to the California coastline.	There's a hint of fall colors.	The long winding road.
At times, the road climbs high above the coastal towns.	We meet Jay's friend Setsuko who is on a 3-week bike tour traveling north.	As is the custom, she has gifts (chocolate) for all of us.	We departed after a brief meeting of 15-20 min.	View of coastal fishing village.
It 's a warm humid day on the coast. Nice!	Great coast route.	The locals are looking for sea snails.	Commuting to fish?	We stopped a lot today.
So I'll work on my upper body.	Sea of fishing boats.	I can't get enough of this?	Japanese commercialism often involves cute characterizations.	From the quiet coast to the busy ciites.
Our overnight accommodation is the Youth Hostel in Akita located in a busy part of town.