Akita to Lake Inawashiroko

Day 30: Visiting a shrine in Akita city	It was a cold start in the morning.	The shimenawa (twisted rope) is for luck and to keep evil out.	Grounds of the Akita castle ruins. Not much remains.	Local flea market at the castle ruins.
Interesting sturcture.	Korey flying down the coast.	Jay riding into a coastal city	Cute advertisements.	A highlight of the day was this great marketplace.
This is where many locals buy their daily groceries.	Another view of the marketplace.	Looks like octopus.	Today, we stayed along the coast	Heading toward this coastal town, our campground should be nearby.
Small harbor	On the fishing dock.	View of nearby town from campground.	Campground facilities.	Friendly campground host.
Day 31: It rained most of the night. Met Japanese traveler during breakfast.	Rode in light rain today. Scene along the way.	The views are dramatic.	We're off the main highway, so the scenery is better and there's less traffic.	Exploring the coast.
Meandering. We're headed to Tsuruoka city today.	We're glad the rain finally stopped.	Interesting rock formations along the coast.	Front entrance to a typical Japanese home.	Serendipitous find. Visiting a shrine off the coast.
This is cool, the shrine is on the rock formation.	The Torii, gateway into the shrine.	Donations for luck.	There's also a shrine near the top of the rock formation 267 steps up.	At the top in front of the shrine.
View from above.	Fishing boats off the rock formation.	The bridge back.	Stopping for lunch. I'm glad Jay & Andrew knew this was a restaurant.	Nice looking mural.
Searching for our youth hostel for the night.	Tsuruoka city.	More great rock formations.	Nope! This is not our youth hostel.	This is our youth Hostel. It's an interesting structure designed by a famous Japanese architect.
It's late in the afternoon when we arrive. Sunset is around 5:00 p.m.	The interior is an open space design.	From the balcony above.	Two Japanese Puppeteers stayed at the YH. They travel and perform at elementary schools.	She spoke english well and has lived abroad. Here the rabbit is traveling around the world.
Day 32: From a morning walk before everyone wakens.	With coffee in hand, I walked to nearby homes.	It's a rural scene here.	On the road again. Sometimes, it's just safer on the sidewalks.	Another shrine along the roadside.
Today, we are again traveling south on the west coast of Honchu.	Looks smoked to me.	I wonder how the fishing is?	More interesting rock formations.	The coastal scene.
We rode through a lot of tunnels today.	The work never ends.	Enjoying the moment.	Looks like salmon.	Dried fish for sale.
Locals gardens still abound.	Owner of a restaurant in Murakami where we had lunch.	She introduces her grandchildren.	Happening upon a giant Buddhist statue along the way.	Heavy traffic today. Road to the campground. It must be windy here.
The campground was closed, but we set up anyway after dark.	Day 33: Today, we finally make it to the Niigata city. I just had to try the McDonald's. Not bad!	Geno eyeing the bakery near the train station.	Looks good.	Cute.
Bike parking at the train station.	I don't know how they find their bikes. They all look the same.	This is the style for some in Japan.	Activity around the train station. There's usually a visitor center at the station.	Riding the river walk in Niigata.
Our plan is visit to Niigata for half a day, then ride to a campground outside the city.	More city riding. Often on sidewalks.	Stopping at a marketplace.	We get a quick lunch.	There's plenty to see here.
Two friends shop by bike.	Geno riding through the marketplace.	Hakusan Shrine within Hakusan Park.	Hakusan Shrine	Use this water to wash hands and rinse mouth before praying.
Entrance to a tradition Japanese home.	Hakusan Park is in the city's midst.	A Torii is the gateway into the shrine.	Another small shrine.	Walkway to the Performing Arts Center in Niigata.
Interior of the Performing Arts Center.	Interior of the Performing Arts Center.	Japanese normally hang dry their clothing outside.	A river view	How where are we going? We rode until 9:00 p.m. in the dark.
Geno and I finally decide to stay in a ryokan. The others stealth camped for free.	Day 34: It was a windy night. We're glad we stayed here. Breakfast goodies on the house.	Miyoko, nice owner of the ryokan. Her eldest son was our interpreter.	Miyoko eldest son. Although deaf, he could read and write english. Lived in Riverside, CA for a year.	Time to hit the road and meet up with the others.
A little windy in the morning, but following a river made it scenic.	One of many dams we've seen.	Resting in the tatami room after a hot bath. These friendly ladies offered us some fruit and snacks.	The campground was the pits, but at least our dinners were good.	Jay doing a yoga knee stretch while eating dinner.
Day 35: Interesting artistic building.	We are again riding along a river with a mountainous backdrop.	There were many bridges and tunnels today.	It's a misty morning. We're starting to see more fall colors.	A farm coop.
Packed bags of rice. The Niigata prefecture is known for its quality rice.	A climb out of town on narrow roads.	Another Dam. No drought worries here.	Today was also a day for bridges.	Notices the artwork beside the road.
You never know what's just up the road.	Riding into the town of Agamachi	Serrendipetous stop at a B&B. We meet a local artist, Ventaro Kato	They make us a little breakfast snack along with coffee.	Artist wife on the right. She was very friendly and showed us around her home.
Elder next door.	They come to see us off.	Example of the artist's creative work on display.	More bridges.	Spotting a Japanese Snow Monkey which lives in the mountains.
Local shrine	Notices the art work on the left before the bridge.	Art abounds here.	Our scenic road pass a reservoir.	The long harvet continues.
School kids. Looks like PE to me.	Narrow roads through town.	Drying the harvest.	At times, the labor is all manual.	We are starting our major climb for the day.
It's a steady 9% with some 14% grades.	The mountains are starting to show some fall colors.	Our descent goes through mountain towns.	Keep your eyes on the road.	Views from the road.
Heading to the city of Kitakata.	First stop, a marketplace for lunch.	The kids head for the mountains while Geno, Jay and I decide to stay at a youth hostel in town.	Entrance to the youth hostel. This place is tucked behind a liquor store.	Group wash basin.
A Japanese decor.	Geno relaxing with hot tea.	A sunset from the youth hostel.	Crafts from different regions (prefectures) are shown here.	Day 36: Met her at the YH while waiting out the morning rain. She's traveling alone by motorcycle.
At the top of a long climb was a markeplace. Japanese daikon for sale.	Japanese Cabbage	Hot food to go. We decided on a sit down lunch of ramen.	Back in the mountains within the Bandai Asahi NP. It's cold here.	We decide to stay at another youth hostel due to cold conditions.
Day 37: Started the day with a 2 hour hike.	The lakes exhibit a unique color and attract many local tourist.	Notices the unique green color behind Korey.	The end of our morning hike.	Souvenirs, marketplace, and hot food available at the end of the hike.
Side trip to another small lake.	Check this out Herb.	The lake was filled with colorful koi.	Next, it's a down hill ride through traffic.	Today, we'll ride 16 miles to a campground off Lake Inawashiroko.
We descend into a large valley surrounded by rice fields.	High mountains surround the valley .	Zizoh Bosatsu Statues protect children from disaster and sickness.	Farm vehicle	The work never ends.
As far as I can see; rice fields.	Our stealth campsite off Lake Inawashiroko. The campground was closed.	Heading to the nearby hotel for an sento bath.	Lake Inawashiroko, the 3rd largest freshwater lake in Japan.