It was the beginning of the second half of the GW season when I didn't go out for touring because I had to cancel the lodgings in Akita and Aomori, but I kept the hotel in Fukushima that I had booked for the return trip. However, I did not cancel the hotel in Fukushima that I had booked for the return trip, and since the weather had recovered, I went out for an overnight tour.
Unlike last year's touring plan in the Tokyo metropolitan area.This year's touring plan is only applicable if you sign up before you get on the highway.
Fortunately, I noticed it before I left, so I signed up for the Tohoku, Joban, and Ban-Etsu roads course before I left: .... However, since the 4 days and 3 nights course has been shortened, I'm not as excited as I should be, so I left late, at 9:00 a.m.......
To save time, I took the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway to the Tohoku Expressway, and since there were only two days left of GW, there was no traffic jam on the downstream route. While watching the congestion in the opposite lane, we arrived at Utsunomiya and took our first break at the SA.
I didn't use the C-BOW & side bags I bought & installed because I only stayed one night....orz
Go to Fukushima after eating gyoza in Utsunomiya
I had a craving for gyoza while driving on the highway, and I was sure that there was a gyoza shop at Kamikawauchi SA right after the Utsunomiya Interchange..... I remembered that there was a dumpling shop at the Kamikawachi SA right after the Utsunomiya interchange, and we drove to this place without taking a break. Naturally, I had this for lunch.
With our hunger satisfied, we headed for Fukushima again. We were planning to take the Ban-Etsu Expressway to the Aizu-Wakamatsu Interchange, since we were using the unlimited expressway service.....Driving on the freeway: .... Too boring.....orz
So, I got off the highway as soon as I entered Fukushima Prefecture.
If we take the lower road, it's a country road, just as we had expected. The weather was fine. You can enjoy a pleasant ride ..... But it's still boring to drive only on national roads...... So, as usual, I took a narrow road that I didn't understand.
By the way, as I'll write later, you can see in this video that I'm not able to turn the corner well at all due to my physical problems....orz
After enjoying a short ride in the mountains, we headed towards Lake Inawashiro. I didn't feel it in the mountains, but the wind was quite strong on the open road by the lake. If you only watch the video, you will see that the lakeside is like a seaside with waves lapping in the strong wind.
Unplanned run to the baths.
さThis is the first time I've been to a hot spring. I've been running for a while now, but when it comes to traveling, hot springs are the way to go. It was time to take a bath in the daytime. Just on the side of the road"Bandai Atami Onsen"We followed the signs and went to a day spa. We followed the signs and went off the road to a day trip to a hot spring inn.
When I went around the entrance, I found that the entrance was more magnificent than I expected.
There was also this notice in the building. Toshi-chan is in a hot spring resort so desolate that the convenience store has gone out of business.
Unfortunately, the outdoor baths were closed due to strong winds, but the large baths for guests were empty. We enjoyed the hot spring in an almost private state.
We went to the inn around sunset. And again, dumplings.
After getting out of the bath, I set the destination on the navigation system to the hotel, but it was too close to go straight. We are planning to drive again tomorrow, but I set the Bandai-Azuma Skyline as a transit point and start driving.
Unfortunately, the Bandai-Azuma Skyline was closed at 5:00 p.m., so we chose to take a different route through the mountains. We entered the city of Fukushima just as the sun was setting. We checked into the inn. It was an ordinary business hotel, so there was nothing to look forward to at the inn.
The only thing I'm looking forward to is the dinner we plan to have outside. I've already found a restaurant near the hotel.By the way, I ate dumplings for two meals in a row.
Following Utsunomiya, Fukushima is also famous for its gyoza. In particular, the disk gyoza served in a circular shape is a specialty. It may seem a bit much for one person to eat, but with the spirit of "gyoza is my other food," I was able to enjoy it........Huh?
I'm sorry, but my plan went awry.
I had no choice but to Google it on the spot and go to the next store.
This restaurant is also highly rated. It seems to be run by a husband and wife team, and they don't make the dumplings in advance, but rather wrap the necessary amount on the spot while watching the customers come in. We enjoyed the yaki and mizugyoza.
The disk dumplings were disappointing, but the day ended with a very satisfying evening meal.
Today's reflections.
Today's mileage was about 400 km, which is quite a short distance for a full day's touring on the highway.
本Twice during the day's driving. There was a scene where I felt like I couldn't turn the right corner and slowed down suddenly.....orz
There's a reason for this. Actually, I had a massage in my neighborhood the day before, and the pain in my right shoulder blade started in the morning, probably due to the massage........ So, when I couldn't turn the right corner properly, I noticed that my upper body wasn't moving smoothly because of this pain. Because of this pain, my upper body was not moving smoothly, and because I was protecting my shoulder blade, which hurt when I moved it, my center of gravity shifted halfway, especially to the right........
So I had to take measures such as relaxing in the hot spring without wandering around too much, or getting into the inn early and stretching out in bed for a long time after dinner.
In the news or something."Returning senior rider fails to turn the corner and crashes."I used to think, "I must have been running like an idiot because I'm not old enough. But I realized for the first time that there are problems like this. It was a good experience for me.
In order to enjoy touring for a long time to come, I will try to keep my body flexible, especially my upper body range of motion on a daily basis...... I guess I've reached the age where I'm thinking about it.
To save time, I took the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway to the Tohoku Expressway, and since there were only two days left of GW, there was no traffic jam on the downstream route. While watching the congestion in the opposite lane, we arrived at Utsunomiya and took our first break at the SA.
With our hunger satisfied, we headed for Fukushima again. We were planning to take the Ban-Etsu Expressway to the Aizu-Wakamatsu Interchange, since we were using the unlimited expressway service.....
If we take the lower road, it's a country road, just as we had expected. The weather was fine. You can enjoy a pleasant ride ..... But it's still boring to drive only on national roads...... So, as usual, I took a narrow road that I didn't understand.
When I went around the entrance, I found that the entrance was more magnificent than I expected.
There was also this notice in the building.
Unfortunately, the outdoor baths were closed due to strong winds, but the large baths for guests were empty. We enjoyed the hot spring in an almost private state.
Unfortunately, the Bandai-Azuma Skyline was closed at 5:00 p.m., so we chose to take a different route through the mountains. We entered the city of Fukushima just as the sun was setting. We checked into the inn. It was an ordinary business hotel, so there was nothing to look forward to at the inn.
Following Utsunomiya, Fukushima is also famous for its gyoza. In particular, the disk gyoza served in a circular shape is a specialty. It may seem a bit much for one person to eat, but with the spirit of "gyoza is my other food," I was able to enjoy it........
I'm sorry, but my plan went awry.
This restaurant is also highly rated. It seems to be run by a husband and wife team, and they don't make the dumplings in advance, but rather wrap the necessary amount on the spot while watching the customers come in. We enjoyed the yaki and mizugyoza.
The disk dumplings were disappointing, but the day ended with a very satisfying evening meal.