Experience! Amakusa Cycle Tourism: Cherry Blossom Spring Ride
Running with the wind.
The journey begins in the heart of Amakusa City, from the Hondo Bus Center towards Shinwa Town. Start running at your own pace.
Leaving the bustling city center and heading south on National Route 324, you’ll soon find yourself on an exhilarating ride through quiet settlements and into rural landscapes. Upon entering Shinwa Town, a vast “hamabou (Hibiscus hamabou) colony,” said to be one of the largest in Japan, unfolds to your left. It is said that the yellow flowers bloom around July.
It’s also a good idea to take a break at “Shinwa Sunset Market,” which is a little further ahead. It’s the first aid station, where you can find freshly picked vegetables and fruits, as well as home-style cooking.
A view of a port town.
A small port town is a place where you want to drive slowly. The sea not only brings blessings, but also fosters the exchange of people and goods.
Nakata Port, located in the southern part of Shinwa Town, is a fishing base and a transportation hub where car ferries depart for Nagashima Town in Kagoshima Prefecture. Anglers lined the port, casting their fishing lines.
Driving along the coastal road, you’ll eventually arrive at Nakata Fishing Port. Looking down into the sea from the pier, you’ll be amazed by the incredible clarity of the water, where you can even see the rocks on the seabed!
Further along, on the left, sits the “Gyōran Kannon, Kukyu Kannon,” quietly watching over the port town.
A path where spring blossoms.
As time passes, the road becomes a cherry blossom-filled wonderland. Seasonal flowers and fresh greenery give you energy, as if urging you on as you climb the hill.
Starting with the Kawazu cherry blossoms in the Shimohira area, we head to the much-anticipated ride course where cherry blossoms bloom one after another. Pale pink cherry blossoms greet us at various points along the way.
As you enter Fukami Town, the elevation increases, and you’ll encounter a series of uphill climbs that are a favorite of serious cyclists, leaving you breathless. The gently curving road and the occasional glimpse of cherry blossom petals seem to be cheering you on, saying “Keep going, keep going,” and as you pedal harder, National Route 266 is just ahead!
The wind of Haiya.
We head to Ushibuka Town, the southernmost point of Amakusa City. Enjoy a scenic ride around the Ushibuka Haiya Bridge while listening to the “Ushibuka Haiya-bushi” folk song.
National Route 266 is a single road leading to Ushibuka Town, but it’s a challenging route with a long uphill climb from Fukami Town. Eventually, as you approach Ushibuka Town, the road becomes downhill, leading to a port town with what is said to be the largest fishing port in the prefecture. Continue straight ahead to the Ushibuka Haiya Bridge, which crosses the sea over Ushibuka Fishing Port and connects to the opposite shore’s Gohama Shin Fishing Port.
A refreshing cycling route spanning 833 meters and soaring 19 meters above sea level! When you return, you can enjoy some delicious seafood.
The natural beauty of the West Coast.
Finally, we head to the west coast where breathtaking scenery awaits. Experience the true essence of Unzen-Amakusa National Park, where a World Cultural Heritage site and the natural beauty of rocky reefs await.
From Ushibuka town to Kawauura town. The “Amakusa Collejo Ruins,” located a short distance from the main road, is one of the famous spots where cherry blossoms bloom, so it’s worth taking a detour to visit.
We made our way to the World Heritage site “Sakitsu Village,” overlooking the cottages floating on the sea. This is another spot where the cherry blossoms are beautiful.
I recommend the path leading to “Jusanbutsu Park.” The cherry blossoms blooming along the path and the view of “Myokenura” through the petals offer a truly beautiful spring landscape.
Hot springs and hills.
Take a break in a footbath that warms you to the core. Then, you’ll face the most challenging part of the course: the treacherous uphill climb that’s a mix of heaven and hell.
Climbing and descending the hills of the west coast, you arrive at Shimoda Onsen. Relax your mind and body in the free footbath. Leaving this heavenly hot spring, the ordeal of uphill climbing finally begins. A hellish ride course that takes about 10km to reach an altitude of 220m. Once you get past this, an easy downhill course awaits you until near the finish line.
Once you reach National Route 266, head to Kamegawa Dam, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Enjoy the spring scenery, and now it’s time to head home.
