Cycling along Kamo Lakeside to Please the Five Senses
Jumonji-san is the head of non-profit organization Junkan-no-shima Research Center. "Since the island is full of hills, I think an electric bicycle is best," he advises.
Your feet can enjoy a dip in the deep seawater footbath "Shio-no-yu" at Sado Green Hotel Kiraku for a mere 100 yen.
This is where the motorway and the road to Kamo Lake lakeshore separate.
Finally on to cycling along Kamo Lake. I'll be using "Cycling Map - Kamo Lake Course / Tokinosato Course" for this portion of the trip.
"Wind hitting your cheeks, the lake surface shining in the sun, the scent of rice plant...cycling excites all five senses. Ocean, mountain, lake, and historical assets, a true appreciation of Sado comes from close observations of its features. What's nice about cycling is that it enables you to catch various vistas that tie the different points of interests together, like seeing the ocean appear suddenly among the mountains," says Osamu Jumonji, the creator of the cycling maps.
Wondering if I will be blessed with such experiences as Jumonji-san mentioned, I made my way towards Kamo Lake through Minatomachi Street. I went clockwise around the lakeshore. After riding a ways on the prefectural highway I arrived at Shizaki Hot Springs. I stopped by to soak in the footbath located in the hot springs that looks down upon Kamo Lake. After paying 100 yen at Sado Green Hotel Kiraku's front desk, my tired feet were submerged in the footbath filled with deep seawater. Aaaaah. Feeling refreshed, I'm finally off to the lakeshore.
The large mountain is made of oyster shells. Horror at Kamo Lake.
It's nice to get off your bike and take a walk along the lakeshore.
The pastoral scenery visible beyond the information board is relaxing.
The silhouette of the people working at the lake is quite beautiful.
After going back on the prefectural highway, take a rest at a roadside station, "Sado Nogaku-no-sato."
The ever so popular "Ano Soft" is 300 yen.
This time we turned just before Ushio Shrine and rode along the shore.
Turning right at the information board from the prefectural road, I was riding on the road that runs along the shore. From this point the road offers the perfect chance to become one with the lake until it meets up again with the prefectural highway . The floating rafts of the oyster farms and the silhouette of the boats look like a painting. You'll be surprised by the large mountain of oyster shells, you'll admire the unique structure of the oyster shed, and you'll be comforted by the pastoral scenery. When oysters are in season from November to April, you might find shelled oysters for sale at the oyster shed. Unfortunately, it's not oyster season now, but I was still able to get a glimpse of Kamo Lake's unique natural beauty.
Once out on the prefectural highway again, you might want to take a little rest at a station on the road. I decided to wet my mouth with the hidden local treasure, "Ano Soft (meaning, 'that soft ice cream.')" The soft ice cream made of 100% local milk became popular by word of mouth by people saying, "That soft ice cream is so good." Now it's the name of the store. The ice cream is very rich, but it's still light and refreshing.
From just before the station, I went back onto the lakeshore road. At the information board of the walking trail, I checked out the entire route. From here the terrain is quite varied including a small peninsula jetting into the lake, so I'll be able to ride looking straight ahead at the lake at times. There are also dirt roads and steep hills, so be careful. After passing Ryotsu Folk Museum, I arrived at Kisaki where there's a park and a shrine. From here, ride at a cool-down pace heading towards Ryotsu Harbor. Once you hit Route 350, it's less than 2 kilometers to the final destination.
ÁThe entire Kamo Lake course was about 18 kilometers. It would be nice to go as far as Toki-no-sato next time.
Seed oysters hanging on the shore is one of the unique landscape features of Kamo Lake.
Shimazaki Benten is located at the tip of a small peninsula that projects into the lake.
Sado Island Cycling Map Kamo Lake Course / Toki-no-sato Course
A map that shows vista points, distances, and necessities such as bathrooms. Kuninaka Plains edition and Ogi editions are also available. Pick them up at Sado Tourism@Associations office.