Kumamoto Prefecture, known for the great nature of Aso, hot springs, and Kumamoto Castle, is also home to Amakusa, with its scenic ocean and islands.
In Kamiamakusa, which can be reached in a little over an hour by car from downtown Kumamoto, we will introduce a 3-hour, 23-meter bike ride using a rented bicycle, which includes a ride along the sea, an uphill climb on a mountain pass, and seafood and sweets.

Starting from “mio camin AMAKUSA”, a new playground in Amakusa

The cycling starts at Maejima Island in Amakusa Matsushima, Kamitamakusa City.
Amakusa Matsushima is known as one of the three most beautiful pine islands in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Kujuku Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture.
mio camino AMAKUSA opened in October 2019 on Maejima Island, which became the sightseeing base of Kamitamakusa after the opening of the Amakusa Five Bridges in 1966.
It is a new complex facility where you can enjoy information about Amakusa, experiences, gourmet food, and souvenirs.

Here, visitors can choose from a wide variety of rental bikes, including e-bikes, cross bikes, and road bikes.

I rented an aluminum road bike I had reserved and started cycling at 12:30 pm.

Seafood Cuisine at Kaisen-ya Fukushin

First, cross Matsushima Bridge from Maejima Island to Kamishima  in the Amakusa Islands.
Right next to Matsushima Bridge, I had lunch at Kaisen-ya Fukushin, which serves mainly fresh seafood.

From the extensive menu, I ordered the Tai-chazuke Gozen (sea bream rice with broth) . You can enjoy tai-meshi with soy sauce for the first half and tai-chazuke with broth for the second half.

From the coast to Muta Pass

From Kaisen-ya Fukushin, ride National Route266.

The road along the coast, which continues for about 5km from Higire Fishing Port, has low embankments, so you can enjoy beautiful scenery.

On the way, you will feel the calm Yatsushiro Sea at a small beach.

If you turn right from the seaside before Muta Fishing Port, you will climb uphill for 2.7km to Muta Pass, which is 150m above sea level.

On the way up the hill, looking down the beautiful scenery as you ride over the pass and onto Route324.

Popular Swiss Roll at Cake Factory Pumpkin

If you go north on Route324 and back to Route266, you will find Cake Factory Pumpkin, a popular shop in Kamiamakusa..

This place is famous for its 50-cm-long “Amakusa Roll,” (Swiss roll)  made to make happiness last longer. However, it is too big for one person to eat, so I ordered a Japanese chestnut Mont Blanc recommended by the shop staff.
The cake can be eaten at a table in front of the shop. Drinks are not sold, but you can buy coffee and other drinks at the convenience store next door, so you can make your own cake set.

Spectacular view from Mt.Sengan Observatory

Aizu Port is about 350m from Cake Factory Pumpkin.

From here, climb up a 1.2km slope (13% grade) to the 162m-high Mt.Sengan Observatory.

From the observatory, you can see the beautiful scenery of Amakusa Matsushima and Unzen.

From the observatory, go down the hill to Aizu Port again. The red bridge in front of you is Matsushima Bridge.

Cross Matsushima Bridge and return to Maejima Island. The sea looking down from the bridge is a beautiful blue gradation.

At 3:30 pm,  return the bicycles at mio camino AMAKUSA and the three-hour cycling tour is over.

After returning the bicycle, you can buy souvenirs or relax at a café by the sea.

Course Introduction

Distance: 23.2km 　Elevation gained: 339 m

Approximately 54km from JR Kumamoto Station to mio camino AMAKUSA (1〜1.5 hours by car)

▼Bicycle rental at mio camino AMAKUSA
https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/miocaminoamakusa/rental/

▼mio camino AMAKUSA
https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/miocaminoamakusa/

▼Kaisen-ya Fukushin
http://www.fukushin.com/en/

▼Amakusa Shiro Tourism Association
https://kami-amakusa.jp/meister_guide_en

Summary

Kamiamakusa is called one of the three best Matsushima Island (pine islands) in Japan, and the scenery of the sea and islands is very beautiful. I had an image that it was very far away from the city, but it takes only an hour or so from Kumamoto city, so I felt it was very accessible.
The rental bicycles are very well maintained and safe, and it is attractive that you can enjoy the seaside, mountain pass, seafood, and sweets in 3hours.
E-bike rentals are also available for those who are not accustomed to riding sports bicycles on a regular basis, and a wide range of people can ride together, so please enjoy cycling in Kamiamakusa during your trip to Kumamoto.
The catch phrase “Naname-ue (diagonal-up) Kamiamakusa” and a number of “Naname-ue arrows” painted on the bicycles also made cycling fun.