Kyushu Bike Adventure 16 – Miyazaki to Kagoshima
I arise early to make the train from Miyazaki to Kajiki, the destination from where I plan to ride to Kagashima. The train ride is stunning as it winds past green pastures and small agricultural towns. Before the ride, I put some fuel in the tank and then I start laying on the kilometers. Last night was a 9 course chef’s pick. Living the high life. those calories. I’ll need them all to power through what’s coming my way today. It’s going to be a big day. I’m thinking about this as I put my Foldi to work. Or is it the Foldi that’s putting me to work? I’m still largely undecided when I round the corner and hit this view. And it looks like the stunning Sakurajima. I’ve been waiting for this volcano island postcard perfection. I get to keep this view for the entire ride. And the ride is perfectly sublime from start to finish. Mountainous forest encroaching on the water’s edge with a thin strip of road and a train line separating the two. Kagashima Bay shimmers in the sunlight as Sukurajima watches from afar. This is what it’s all about, people. Then just over this hill, Kagashima. Wow, it looks like another stunning Kyushu city, but Kagashima is going to have to wait. And I ride straight to the city’s port onto a ferry and Sakurajima awaits. A nice chill ferry crossing and a good opportunity to rest. At the other side, I ride straight off the ferry and begin the 37 km that is the island’s ring road. And the road, it’s good. Great condition. A few cars. I approve. So does Kitty. Hello Kitty. First point of interest, this bizarre sculpture. And then a small eruption. Nothing to worry about. But if the volcano does get excited, there’s these concrete shelters pretty much everywhere. A sweet potato tops up my reserves as I check out the buried Tory gate. This was the result of a 1914 eruption. Sakurajima is a great ride, but on the brutal side of things, at least on a foldy, lots of ups and downs. By the time I get back to the ferry, I’m cooked. Worth it, though. Back in Kagashima, I pedal slowly towards the city center, instantly liking what I see. More trams, more east meets west, long inviting boulevards, and cultural streets. I explore on foot, but really I could do with some chill time. And when I next appear, I’m hungry with my heart set on some keosima like pork. Taka biggie is waiting. So I’m in Kagoshima and I got to eat the Kagashima black pork and what better than tonkatsu. So I’ve come to this little tonkatu restaurant. Looks absolutely beautiful. So, I’ve gone for this pork fillet, which is looking absolutely glorious. This is I would call it medium. It’s a little bit pink on the inside. It just seems cooked to perfection. You know, these guys do one thing and they do it perfectly. Now, on the side, got this little mortar and pestle with sesame seeds. So, I’m going to give them a crush and then got to choose my sauce. So, I’m going to go for this one. I’ve already done a taste test. This one tastes like a traditional tonkatu sauce. And this one has a little sour note to it, which I quite liked. I made up that tonkatu sauce. So anyway, very hungry. I’ve earned this cycling my ass off today. But before I eat, I must show you this tonkatu sour sauce. So good. You got these breadcrumbs on the outside. And it’s all about the pork. The black keosima pork. Absolutely divine. I’m going to try this which looks like onion. It’s got some daicon going on in there and some spring onion. Dashy as well. The chef mentioned dashy. Let’s try that. M. Super delicious. And what I’ve just noticed on the side, wasabi. Didn’t even see it. So, I have been eating a lot of wasabi lately and been loving every minute of it. So, I’m going to load that up. Hold the bed of rice to prevent dripage. And m best mouthful yet. So on the side I got a little bit of omelette with the grated daon on top. Let’s try that. And that’s it. Kea black pork perfection wrapped in breadcrumbs. And tomorrow it’s up to Kumamoto. Only two days left. Kumamoto and then back to Fukuoka and then to Korea. What a life. A big day today and more amazing cycling. Tomorrow I leave Kagashima and head north to Kumamoto. Taking in their famous Japanese garden, exploring the city a little. No spoilers, but it could be my favorite Kyushu city yet. And I’m fast running out of days, so tomorrow will be my final iseka of the whole trip. It’s the second last stage, and you better keep watching cuz you’ve already made it so far. [Music]
Flying from Jakarta Indonesia to Fukuoka Japan for a bicycle tour on a Brompton folding bike. Expect to see Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kitakyushu, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Kumamoto and plenty of towns in between. I ride, I eat, I ride, I eat, I rinse, I repeat. 18 episodes. Ramen, gyoza, onigiri, miso black cod, Imari beef, Takuro rice, kushiyaki, sashimi, combini, okonomiyaki, sushi, yakitori, yakiniku, tonkatsu, tonkotsu, tempura, soba, udon, matsunabe, sake, keiseki, not gonna lie, I do a lotta eating.
Against all odds:
Music: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: FNMIBM8CMBB3SHOL
@Japan @Kyushu @Ramen @gyoza @onigiri @miso black cod @Imari beef @Takuro rice @kushiyaki @sashimi @combini @okonomiyaki @sushi @yakitori @yakiniku @tonkatsu @tonkotsu @tempura @soba @udon @matsunabe @sake @keiseki @Fukuoka @Nagasaki @Kitakyushu @Miyazaki @Kagoshima @Kumamoto @drone @foldy @Brompton @bike @bicycle @biketour @oita @Imari @karatsu @kashima @isahaya @miyajidake @beppu @nakatsu @hells @azamui @saiki @nobeoka @takachiho @takachihogorge @sakurajima
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