ダムや海、山、川、岬を巡るツーリングを通し関東を主に日本の風景を紹介します

Month: January 2020

Wakasagi Smelt Fishing on the Ice at Lake Matsubara (Nissan SERENA)

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.

  • 結氷した松原湖
    冬季には氷上釣りが楽しめます。近隣の松原湖、長湖、大月湖を合わせて松原湖と一般的に言われています。
  • 長湖氷上釣り全景
    本格的な人はテント+魚群探知機を持ち込んでいます。
  • 氷上釣りの釣果
    釣り始めて30分、やっと最初の魚(クチボソ)に会えました。今回は最初で最後に…。
  • 氷上釣りの釣果
    氷上釣りの釣果は5人で2匹。ワカサギとクチボソでした。
  • ワカサギの天ぷら
    ワカサギの天ぷら。ワカサギ釣りの道具を借りたところに釣れた魚を持ち込むと天ぷらにしてもらえます。明らかに数が増えてます。

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.

  • 胡桃蕎麦
    信州はそばの名産地。また山の実りである胡桃を使った胡桃蕎麦。
  • そば打ちのまな板
    今回のそばを食べたお店はタイミングがよければそば打ちを待合スペースの前で実演します。この日はタイミングが合いませんでした。
  • 千曲錦の看板
    信州は清冽な水を活かしたお酒の名産地でもあります。千曲錦の蔵元にお邪魔した時の看板。
  • 酒造の風景
    江戸時代と思われる時代の酒造の風景画がありました。値段の交渉をしている人と書いて意外と面白い。

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
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.

Road Station AshigakuboーChichibu district(solo touring with NC750S)

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.

  • 吾野渓谷全景
    吾野渓谷は人里に近い小さな渓谷でした。右側に見えているのが国道299号線。
  • 高麗川をバックにNC750S
    蛍生息地と書かれた看板がある吾野渓谷で高麗川をバックにNC750S.
  • 高麗川の水
    蛍生息地の高麗川はとても澄んでいました。台風以降はあまり雨が降っていないので岩には苔がついています。
  • 高麗川の水しぶき
    荒川水系の高麗川上流の吾野渓谷で撮影。

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.

  • 道の駅芦ヶ久保メインの建物
    道の駅芦ヶ久保メインの建物です。この中でお土産やお弁当が販売されています。
  • 道の駅芦ヶ久保全景
    道の駅芦ヶ久保の全景です。この日はまずまずの好天に恵まれました。
  • 購入したお土産を乗せたNC750S
    購入したお土産を乗せたNC750Sです。荷造り中なのでフロントのラゲッジスペースも開けています。少し異形のルックス?
  • 道の駅芦ヶ久保のお土産
    道の駅芦ヶ久保のお土産です。こんにゃくと大根と芋がら(芋茎)。

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.

Boso Peninsula Myogane Cape~Sunosaki Lighthouse(Solo touring with NC750S)

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…

明鐘岬から富士山方向を望む、薄っすらと富士山が見えています。手前の海に粒の様に見えるのは渡り鳥の一群。この時期ならではです。

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.

  • 洲崎灯台入口
    洲乃崎燈臺の旧字体表示が歴史を感じさせます
  • 洲崎灯台全景
    洲崎灯台の全景です。重要な灯台にしては比較的小型なのが印象的です。
  • 洲崎灯台から内房を望む
    洲崎灯台から内房を望むと、手前側が鋸山、奥の左側に富津岬が見えます。この日は少しかすみ加減だったのが残念です。
  • 洲崎帝釈天
    洲崎灯台の裏側には洲崎帝釈天が祀られていました。小さな祠ですが手入れが行き届き線香の香りがほのかに漂っていました。寅さんのポスターは御愛嬌。

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.

  • 天草を干す
    洲崎灯台の近所のお宅では天草を干していました。天草は寒天の原料であんみつの寒天や心太の原料となる重要な海産物です。
  • 洲崎のやぶつばき
    伊豆半島に比べると房総半島はヤブツバキの自生が少ない印象ですが、洲崎近くではよく見かけました。寒さには比較的弱いので暖かい南部に自生が多くなるのは首肯できます。
  • フノリを干す風景(洲崎)
    洲崎灯台から海岸線へ降りていくと小さな港に行き当たりました。そこでは冬に美味しい(春は大きくなりすぎて硬い)フノリが水揚げされ干されていました。船の奥に敷き詰められている赤紫のがフノリです。心打たれる風景でした。

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.

NC750S (2020年1月3日)
2020年1月3日の愛車NC750S。奥は先行されていた方のCB750。よく考えると大型教習用のベース車先代と現役。CBシリーズも乗ってみたいなあ。