Due to my aching body and the rain, I spent the last few days resting. Not doing much, updating the blog and spending much time at an internet cafe called funky time. So much that I even managed to fill up one of those loyalty card things and get a ¥400 discount on my final stay.
I spent quite a lot of time in the nice town of Niihama. They have good cycling roads, a lot of hiking trails, an Aeon mall with a cinema, etc. Not a bad spot to live if you have an appropriate job for it, I think.
During my stay there I was doing my laundry and had a celebrity moment where a local came up and spoke some English and wanted to take a photo with me. Even though I had worn all my clothes and was just in a towel.
I set off from Niihama to Uchiko to see a Kabuki theatre (like old school Japanese Opera / play). Pretty cool.
I finally met up with someone doing the Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 temples and we camped under a hut to avoid the rain.
The river was also a good spot for a shower.
Riding through the next leg along a river trapped between two large mountains, I thought ‘This is the real Shikoku’ as its so powerful and beautiful.
I made my way towards Matsuyama to see the infamous Dogo Onsen, of which Miyazaki is said to have based his onsen from Spirited Away on. To be honest I didn’t see much of a resemblance but it did look very impressive.
I went inside for an onsen, however I don’t recommend going to an onsen in summer, it’s a terrible idea. You basically can’t stop sweating afterwards so it’s like you need another shower.
I camped along the riverside in a park. Was a good spot. Then I hung out in an Aeon mall for ages until I decided it was cool enough to ride toward the infamous Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道, Shimanami Kaidō). I camped at what I think is the most northern part of Shikoku and got some nice sunset photos near a beach.
Cycling Around Japan 