RIDE REPORT Osaka city to Amanohashidate

Last updated  June 6, 2003

All pictures are the property of Erdoboy. ®

Take the Chuo Expressway west out of Osaka and head up towards Sanda when you come to the junction in Hyogo. At Maizaru Nishi (West Maizaru) exit the highway and take route 27 to 175 then to 178. This part after exiting the Highway is only about 10 kilometers. From Amanohashidate follow 178 clockwise around the harbor. Just before you come to Miyazu city you should see sign on your left for a cable car and shrine. The view from the top of the mountain is impressive.

In early May, I stopped in to Hattori Harley in Esaka (northern Osaka). While there I ran into some riders who invited me to come along on a ride the 4th Saturday in May. "we are going to Kyoto to see some famous something mountain," was what I got from the guy speaking to me in very fast Japanese. I figured, hey a group ride, why not? It will be a good chance to get some more time on the bike and see another part of Kansai that I haven't seem before. So on May 24 at 8:00 am I left the house to meet the group in the  Hattori Harley parking lot. Got there in good time and even had time to top off the gas tank before arriving at the dealership at 9:15. The sun was out and it was a most excellent day.

I was kicking around the lot looking at the bikes for sale and in for work when one of the guys comes over and says, "Hey there is something running out of your bike!" When I got to my bike this liquid was gushing out just in front of the rear tire. Turns out that the pump jockey filled the tank so full that when the bike sat in the sun and the cold gasoline heated up it expanded to the point that it was WAY more than the tank could hold and exited the bike via the overflow valve that left the a huge puddle of gasoline on the asphalt. Prior to this I didn't even know there was an overflow system.

The route up was mostly super slab but sparsely traveled. Coming back we hit some back roads to enjoy the twisty turnies. The reason to go here is that is supposed to be one of the 3 most beautiful places in Japan.
Consider this last statement.

To the left of the row of pines is the ocean. To the right is an inland harbor. The juxtaposition of sky, mountains, water and land bridge are quite unique and make this one of the the 3 most beautiful places in Japan.

Supposedly if you look at the view upside down (between your legs) the components of the reverse themselves.

The harbor is quite scenic.