I went to solo-touring with NC750S for Okutama on a little cold Sumday. I saw the sign said ‘ Road closed between the woods of citizens of Tokyo ( Tominnomori ) and Kuduryu Bridge’. In fact, the road was closed and I took rest at the parking lot of the woods.
路面の雪は溶けていましたが木々には多くの雪が残っていました
While I took photos and used restroom, staffs start to work on the closed road. The road would be opened after the checking the conditions on the road. The fence says ‘ 通行止 (= Closed ) are closed and opened every day, because the road is closed during 18:00-9:00 every day in Winter. I thank the staffs for working.
雪が解けているのが確認できたためか、通行止めが解除になり小河内ダム方面に向かうことが出来ました。
I took the photo before I went beyond after the open. The photo below is the best photo I took that day.
本日のベストショット。「冬」の感じが出ていますが、東京とは思えません。東京です。
I rode a little from the parking of woods to Tsukuyomi Parking 2. I saw Ogochi Dam from there. Above sea level of the parking of woods to Tsukuyomi Parking 2 is about 1000m. Because that of Ogochi Dam is 530m, the temperature and the sight of snow was so different. On the top of mountains I could see in the far distance were covered with snow.
月夜見第二駐車場から小河内ダムを望む。
I was a little tired due to the cold, I took Ome road for in bound without stopping at Ogochi Dam. The impression of NC750S is skipped because the topics to log gets lesser. But I would like to insist ‘ Thank you, the grip heaters! ‘.
It was cloudy day the last Saturday, I went to solo-touring with NC750S. The route was Tokyo – Chiba city – Ooamishirasato ( Shirasato Beach ) – Katsuura – Kamogawa – Mt. Kano – Kisarazu – Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line – Metro road 318.
冬の白里海岸 風景は素晴らしいものの人気は少なく寂しい感じがしました。
I would go to Kamogawa via Chiba city using tall-free road first, but I changed the destination to ‘Shirasato Beach’ when I saw the city name ‘Ooamishirasato’ ( = white village with large fishing net ). Though it was a windy, cold and cloudy day, the landscape in the beach was impressive.
The atmosphere on Kujukuri Beach reminded me that of Ookinohama in Kochi pref., Japan where is near the place I had grown up. I saw the beach for the first time, but the sight made me remember the time when I was a child.
冬の御宿町中央海水浴場 九十九里浜一帯は日本でも有数のサーフスポットです
I arrived at Central Beach of Onjuku Town, after passing Ohara and Iwawada Peninsula. You can enter sea water in several ten seconds from the parking lot. A lot of people were enjoying surfing even in Winter. The sight is terrific and the road around there is the best touring road if it was fine.
鹿野山山頂から房総スカイライン方面を望むとあまり高くない山が折り重なる独特の風景を望めます。
It was 15:00 at Onjuku. I decided to return via Kamogawa, Kururi, Tokyo-Bay Aqua-Line. I have a little time and I went through the winding road of Mt. Kano. I took Pref. Road163 to go down from Mt. Kano. The road is a nice winding road but damages by the typhoon still remain in Feb. 2020. I took care of the road conditions, returned home via Tokyo-Bay Aqua-Line and Metro Road 318.
NC750S@冬の白里海岸 こうやって見るとキャスター角は確かに大きいのが分かります。
Impression of NC750S today
The tall-free road between Tokyo and Chiba is always crowded. I thought that it may be less crowded due to the effect of COVID-19 but route 357 was crowded. So I could not think about the impression. After I went beyond Chiba city, the jam disappeared. I ride to Shirasato Beach through the road beside of which houses are seen. No cowl nor windscreen is not equipped on NC750S, I have to take care of the visor of helmet when it winds with sand or rains. In the just front of Shirasato Beach there is a parking lot. From the road to there road is paved but a part of the road is buried naturally by winds in a off season. On the situation like this, the low weight center of NC750S is demerit. If an off-road motor I can slide the tires intentionally to pass, the rear tire stuck a little unintentionally. After Shirahama Beach I rode with pleasure and got to the view point on Mt. Kano. After that I got home via Tokyo-Bay Aqua-Line and metro road 318. The average fuel consumption was over than 30km/l. This is the absolute advantage of NC750S.
I have been to Izu Oshima ( an island in Tokyo ) to enjoy fishing and seeing camellia fully blooms in 22-24 Feb.
CAMELLIA GARDEN IN OSHIMA METROPOLITAN PARK
Topic of the fishing is skipped because I did not take photos. I have taken a lot of photos of camellia blooms in the camellia garden in OSHIMA METROPOLITAN PARK in the morning to early evening in Feb. 24. The camellia garden is very famous as one of the finest camellia park in the world. I digested the photos in the slider below. You can see the other camellias in the site 「写真の椿園」(Camellia garden by photos)。
We took the hydrofoil operated by Tokai Kisen Co. from Takeshibasanbashi Tokyo. The ship called up Tateyama port and arrived at Okata Port, Izu Oshima. It took 120 minutes from Takeshibasanbashi to Okata. Feeling during the trip is very comfortable with out pitch nor roll even if outer sea is a little tidy. And the best attraction of the travel with the hydrofoil is the early arrival.
We rented a car for moving around the island. If you will enjoy fishing, you have to rent ‘a car for fishing’. This time the car was SUZUKI Every VAN (10th generation 1999-2013).
スズキ エブリーバン（ 1999–2005 ）
Impression of suzuki every van
This kind of cars are not for an impression… The car was equipped with new tires and there was no problem at the place where I had been stuck once. Oops, this is not the impression of the car. The first impression was the lack of power of NA657cc engine. If I could use a manual shift, the problem may be avoidable. But the car have a 3AT shift and full throttle was needed to drive on an up slope in a constant speed with three adult passengers. They drive slowly in the island, but I had to pay attention to cars behind. Of course no problem happened and we enjoyed the travel fully.
The last weekend in January, we went to the wakasagi smelt fishing on the ice at lake Matsubarako, Saku, Nagano. Because fishes eat a bait in early morning, we left Tokyo in the evening of previous day and stayed the 2nd house that our colleague owns. Next morning we left for lake Matsubarako in the early morning. Lake Inako, lake Choko and lake Otsukiko are sometimes called together as lake Matsubarako. Sometimes lake Inako which is the largest in the 3 is called ‘Matsubarako’. Due to warm winter, the ice on lake Inako was not enough thick. We fished on the ice on lake Choko.
The wakasagi smelt fishing was very difficult for me because I usually fish on sea. I caught several touches of fish but I caught only one fish ( topmouth gudgeon ). 5 colleagues fished together and caught one wakasagi smelt and one topmouth gudgeon. We brought them to the rod rental shop and staff served several tens of fried fishes.
We choose soba ( = a buckwheat noodle ) for lunch after the fishing. Soba is the specialty of Saku as the harvest of the climate and the clear water. We felt smell of the shell of buckwheat and it tasted delicious. After the lunch we went to the brewer of Japanese Sake, Chikumanishiki-shuzo to attempt and buy their product. I was a driver and can not check the taste. At diner I drunk them. It was decided to taste very good.
日産セレナ
Impression of NISSAN SERENA This time, we rent NISSAN SERENA. This car is suitable for several people to travel together and is not for a fun driving. So to write a driving impression of the car is a little mean but I would like to do. First, the relationship between the seat position and the dashboard arrangement is not good. After the adjustment of the height of the seat and that of the stirring wheel, meters are difficult to be watch. Second, the engine power is short for the body size. Third, the suspension is so weak that the dumping ability for the roll of body. Is it a too severe impression for a rent car? The fuel consumption was about 13km/l and not so good. NISSAN SERENA is sold mainly in Japan and be popular. But I do not recommend, honestly.
After oil changing of NC750S at the shop, I went to Chichibu district, Saitama pref. where a staff of the shop recommended for solo touring. I was afraid of the frozen road but there were no problem. Photos below were taken in the way at Koma River of Agano Valley along the route 299. The site is famous for the flight of fireflies in summer, but in January the sight can not be seen. Anyway the sight constituted of the transparent water and forests and clear air refreshed me. photo1. The landscape of the valley. photo 2. NC750S parked in front of a sign says ‘fireflies live’ photo 3. The water of Koma River. photo 4. The splash of Koma River.
It takes a little ride to reach Michinoeki ( = Roadside station ) Ashigakubo from Agano Valley. Roadside stations in Japan are designated and provided usually by local governments. In a michinoeki, place for travelers to rest, automatic vend0rs, shops and cafeterias are provided. The souvenirs sold in a each michinoeki have characteristics corresponding to the district where a michinoeki is. Chichibu district including Ashigakubo is famous for its agricultural products. Konnyaku ( jelly food, made from devil’s-tongue stach ) is special in the district. In the parking lot of the michinoeki I met a lot of touring riders. The next to my NC750S, Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 and Honda NC750X is parked. photo 1. the main building in Michinoeki Ashigakubo photo 2. the landscape from in the michinoeki photo 3. NC750S, opened luggage box and souvenirs fixed on rear space photo 4. souvenirs I bought. Konnyakus, imogaras ( teared and dried roots of taro ) and a radish.
Today’s impression of NC750S Engine oil is changed after 2000km ride from the previous change. I would like to check the adequate frequency of changing and changed at earlier timing comparing to usual. The damage of oil was small and it seems the change per 3000-4000km is acceptable. I selected Ome-Chichibu line ( Prefectural road 53 ) for return path to reach Ome. There is few traffic and I ride pleasurably on the winding road with various types of corner. Some tight corner has no guard rail and I ride with some care. I was afraid of a frozen road but all roads were dry and not frozen. NC750S has a honest cornering characteristic that responds to the movement of the center of the weight. ( In other word, not so quick nor sharp. ) So an intentional cornering motion is needed but this is an interesting characteristic of NC750S. Route was Kannana ( Prefectural road 318 ) →Kawagoe road→route 299→Michinoeki Ashigakubo→route 299→Ome-Chichibu line ( prefectural road 53 ) →Shin-Ome road→Ome road. About 150km way and fuel consumption was 28km/l. It was good even after I was caught in a traffic jam on Kawagoe road.
The route of the first solo touring in 2020 with the partner, NC750S was Tokyo – Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line – Cape Myogane – Sunosaki Light House and around there. In this season Mt.Fuji can be seen from Boso Peninsula if the air is transparent…
Sunosaki Lighthouse is built on Boso Peninsula and plays am important role to keep the safety of the entrance of Tokyo Bay. It blinks white and red every 30 seconds and the light reaches 34 kilo-meters. The intensity of light is enough for farther distance but the horizon hides the light. There is Sunosaki Taishakuten (photo4) beside of the lighthouse.
I walked around Sunosaki Lighthouse. People there lives with harvest from sea like farmer grows plants on the farm and lives with the harvest. The parking around the light house are provided by individual and the price for 2 hour is 200 jpy ( about 2 dollars ). The roof of some houses are covered with blue sheets. The scars by typhoon 15 (Faxai) and typhoon 19 (Hagibis ) are still left around Chiba area. I wish earlier recovery sincerely.
Impression of NC750S and touring route The camera and 3 lenses are stocked in the 21 liters luggage space located in the front ( is usually tank space ). This space is very convenient for 1 day touring. The fuel injection control rises the idling rotation when the oil temperature? or the catalyst temperature? are low and some carefulness is needed. A lot of car was driven on the road and I was caught in traffic jams several time. Especially on Keyou road on the return path is crowed and several accidents occurred. Fuel consumption is 9.1 liters for the 280 km trip. NC750S always promises the good fuel consumption rate for me. But I am sorry for the lack of riding impression because I did not pass the winding road this day.
I had not toured around the east area of Kanto district so many time and this time I decided to go to ‘Kasumigaura’, the 2nd largest lake in Japan with NC750S. I rode from Tokyo on the route 6th. I could see Mt.Tsukuba on the way but it was too far away and could not drop in. I crossed Kasumigaura on the Kasumigauraohashi bridge of the route 354. I took the photos of the picturesque landscape and crossed Kasumigaura to took rest at ‘Road Station Tamatsukuri’. I bought ‘Koipakkun ( burger put in carp patty ) for lunch. It was delicious and I was very satisfied.
霞ヶ浦には一か所だけ横断する橋がかけられておりそれが霞ヶ浦大橋です。
霞ヶ浦から北西方向に筑波山が望めます。筑波山頂上と女体山頂上が特徴的です。
写真撮影のために農道を堤防の突き当りまで走り、その場所で止めていました。
霞ヶ浦の観光地としてのシーズンは本来夏。冬のこの時期は観光ボートも陸揚げしてお休みです。
Kasumigaura is the biggest fresh water fishery site in Japan. Koipakkun ( the carp burger ) is one of a product of the harvest. And at the same time, it means that wild life around the lake can enjoy the rich nature. A several number of snowy heron walked around the rice field harvested and rested on the top of an utility pole. In winter in Japan, snowy herons are usually seen in country side. But for me who lives in metropolis where human is the only animal, I was impressed to see a comparable large bird flies and looks for feed.
Impression of NC750S NC750S kept good condition in the last touring in 2019. It is cold and the oil viscosity is suitable due to the low temperature and the rotation of engine felt to be smoother than ever. There was some traffic jam on the route 6 and I ride next to HONDA Cross Cub110 for sometime in the jam. After I reached to the route 354 the traffic got fewer and I could enjoy my pace riding. On the usual road there is no chance to use 6th gear. My appreciation is the exhaust noise which is sounded with 2500～3500rpm in 4th-5th shift in which the speed reaches 50 mph. To arrive home before it will get dark, I took Joban Expressway from Chiyodaishioka IC to Tokyo and took the C2 of Metropolitan Expressway. In the path, I could ride with 3000rpm-3500rpm in 6th shift and I reconfirmed the pleasure of riding with NC750S in the rpm area. The fuel consumption was better than 30km/l even after the traffic jam on route 6.
This site introduce beautiful and interesting seasons in Japan with photos and exquisite sentences… But the author is not a native English writer, so sometimes write something strange.
The icon of this site means ‘blue ‘ spring ( in Japanese「青」春 ), ‘ vermilion’ summer ( in Japanese「朱」夏 ), ‘white’ fall ( in Japanese )「白」秋, ‘black’ winter ( in Japanese )「玄」冬, and a letter ‘J’ is placed on right side.
I ride motorcycle to take photos, so I report the impression of the riding motorcycle. Especially impression of my partner ‘Honda NC750S’ will be often reported.
