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May 17

Michi no Eki / Totoro Bus Stop / Omie city

I went down and ate with Kawashou-san, while the couple hung out and talked with us. Breakfast was huge, and, as usual, I impressed them with my ability to eat natto (a kind of fermented soy bean which is really healthy for you, and because of this is hard for most people to eat). Their dog, a shiba-inu, a breed that is from Japan, finally allowed me to pet him. After lunch, the lady actually packed me a lunch box, to go, on the house. How nice! It was huge - homemade onigiri, along with various goodies. We took a few pictures, and then first Kawashou-san, then I, went on our ways.

Rode up through Hyuga city, and for another few hours, until I hit my first Michi no Eki. I got the free map of Kyushuu, ate my packed lunch, and just rested for an hour or so. After this stop, I soon reached the 326 highway, which my friends from the day before said was beautiful. They weren't kidding! This road has the nicest scenery I've seen yet (from a road, that is) in Japan. The traffic wasn't heavy, the sidewalk was well paved, and it was beautiful. There were a couple of small hidden roads that looked like they would've been fun to ride, as well, but I didn't take the time to try them.

On the way to the next Michi no Eki, I passed a few tunnels. One of these tunnels happens to be the longest tunnel in Kyushuu, so I can now say that I've ridden the 2 longest tunnels on the island. This one was approx 1.6 km long, and even has a huge information board on how it was built (in Japanese, of course).

The next Michi no Eki had a beautiful bridge, and had information on the Totoro Bus Stop. It is located just 5 km or so down the road. At this stop they even sell a bunch of Totoro dolls and such, but I didn't stop for long before heading out. It was getting late-ish.

I went to the Totoro Bus Stop, and there met a few girls who drove down from Beppu just to see it. I will write more about this when I get the pictures back, after the trip.

I then quickly headed for the next town, as the sun was beginning to go down. I passed 6 more tunnels until I got to Omiecho (I think that's the name). Here I visited a Ringerhut, for dinner. This is a chain that I've seen all over the place, but haven't had a chance to try yet. Apparently this chain is a Kyushuu thang, cause it has Kyushuu style food: Champon and Sara-udon. I ordered the Sara-udon, which was much better than the last time I had it, since it was on crunchy noodles (like it's supposed to be made). I asked the workers if there was a sentou (bathhouse) nearby, and they turned out to be really cool and friendly, so I hung out and chatted for a while.

The sentou I went to wasn't too far, and then I found a camp spot under the eave of a bank. I have to say that it has gotten COLD, in the last few days. I miss my sleeping bag. Since I sent it back to Tokyo in the mail, every time I camp I have to put on all my clothes, including my rain gear (which is plastic, and helps keep the heat in).