This time, we would like to introduce a course on the sea side of Kunisaki Peninsula of Oita.
Kunisaki Peninsula, where you can enjoy the sea breeze, is a course full of art, galleries, and spectacular scenery.
We asked a local cycling guide to show us a 107km course that even female cyclists can enjoy.

Kunsaki Peninsula with art and galleries

Riding along the coastal cycling road are OitaCycleTour Ring cycling guides, Masahiro Fujino (right) and Daisuke Kudo (left).

The sea side of Kunisaki Peninsula is an area with many spectacular views, artworks, and galleries, and the course is especially popular with women.

Here is a report on Kunisaki Peninsula seaside course that we actually toured with our guide.

From Beppu Kanko Port to “Michi no Eki Kunisaki

The first destination from Beppu Kanko (tourism) Port is “Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Kunisaki” where the cycling terminal is located.
Take Route 10 toward Kitakyushu and Nakatsu, and follow the green road signposted “Oita Airport/Kitsuki/Airport Road.”

When you come to a fork in the road, turn right and keep going. After about 45km on Prefectural Road 213, you will arrive at “Michi no Eki Kunisaki.”
If you are coming by car, this is a good starting point.

If you are biking from the beginning, you can enter the cycling road by turning right at the drugstore beyond “Michi no Eki Kunisaki”.

The bike path is along the coast, and it is nice to enjoy the sea breeze and scenery.
Whether there is a tailwind or a headwind depends on the luck of the day.
Ride along the bike path to the park named after the place where you are said to have good luck.

Lucky Spot! Try your luck at Maneki Neko

This is “Maneki Neko Park” located along the cycling road.
The name of this area is “Tomiku,” which means “tomi” (wealth/money)  comes, and the area is said to have an auspicious name.
It is also called “Tomikuji,” which means “road where wealth comes,” and is also called “Kaiun Road Tomikuji.”
If you roll a stone through the hole in the koban held by the maneki cat…

The back of the stone is a omikuji.
From left to right: “Bad luck, Smaller lack, Small luck, Good luck, Great luck, Medium luck, and Bad luck,”
As a result of the lucky charm, it fell to the bottom.
Undeterred, I proceeded to the next spot for good luck.

Maybe you will have good luck and money at Tomiku Shrine!

A little off the bike path is Tomiku Shrine, the god of good fortune.
Since it is a shrine where “wealth comes,” there is no way not to visit.
It seems that many visitors come from all over Japan to visit the shrine.

Behind the main shrine, there is a lion statue holding a “luck ball.
It is said that stroking the luck ball brings good luck for prosperity of offspring and fulfillment of prayers.
I stroked it a lot. I also stroked it a lot, hoping it would bring me good luck in money.

Back to the cycling road, here are some rest spots.

If you want to take a break at a seaside café in Kunitachi, you can go to “Seaside and Coffee Kotori”.

The stylish café “Kotori” has a tasteful exterior and a spectacular view of the ocean in front of you.

There are bike racks, and it will be very pleasant to have a cup of coffee while enjoying the beautiful view of the ocean.

You can also relax while sitting on a comfortable chair.
You will be able to take pictures that look great from all angles.

Tasty fried octopus using Kunisaki’s specialty octopus｜Roadside Station Kunimi

A large and cute octopus statue was found at Roadside Station Kunimi.
Kunisaki is famous for octopus, so much so that there is a brand of octopus called “Kunisaki Hime-dako (princess octopus)” caught off the coast of Kunisaki Peninsula.

There are many restaurants that serve octopus dishes.
At Roadside Station Kunimi, I found “fried octopus” like karaage. It was bite-sized, sweet and delicious.

The largest number of tunnels in Japan!

Oita Prefecture has the largest number of tunnels in Japan.
There are many tunnels on the sea side course of Kunisaki Peninsula, and they are numbered.

You may enjoy riding through them while counting the numbers.
Be sure to turn on the light when entering a tunnel.

Japanese art gallery and restaurant “Touinryo”

After riding down a slightly winding road, we came across a large, old, three-story wooden house.
It is the gallery “Touinryo,” which also serves as a restaurant. It is said to be a shop where Japanese kimonos and fusuma sliding doors are made, and you can enjoy delicious octopus rice here as well.

The courtyard garden is very relaxing with lots of greenery, and the veranda of the house is also very tasteful.

The view from the veranda is lush and spectacular.

We were shown the gallery inside the shop.

There are many Japanese art pieces on display, such as pottery and kimono remakes, and it is fun just to look at them.

Also, time seemed to flow slowly in the quiet and calm space.

Nagasakihana in Bungo Takada｜Flowers, Art, and Campsites

Nagasakihana is a place where the sea is beautiful.
Nagasakihana is also a popular spot for viewing canola flowers in spring, sunflowers in summer, and other seasonal flowers spreading all over the area.

Canola flowers  in spring.

Sunflowers in summer.

When the season comes, the entire expanse of land is transformed into a field of yellow flowers.
As you walk through the flower garden, you will see objets d’art and works of art everywhere.
Since Nagasakihana is a cape where visitors can enjoy both flowers and art, it will be fun to stroll through the flower fields and find art.

There is also a campground with log cabins and bungalows.
There is also a supermarket nearby, so it may be possible to buy necessary items and camp overnight.

There is a walking trail toward the campground, and I found some artwork created by nature.
It is the “Gyoja Cave.”

Going down the stairs, it was a mysterious power spot with the sound of waves and sea breeze.

Depending on the season and time of day, you can see the sunset through the gap between the rocks. I would like to see it someday!

Cycling along Koikana Road|Awashima Park, a healing spot for matchmaking and a superb view

Riding along Koikana Road, Route 213, which runs along the coastline from Nagasakihana, we came to Awashima Park, where Awashima Shrine, the god of matchmaking, is located.
There are bike racks in the spacious parking lot.

The blue of the ocean and the green of the trees make this a relaxing spot.
Visitors can enjoy the art monuments inspired by the image of matchmaking and the spectacular view from the observatory.

Proceeding down the torii gate, you will find Awashima Shrine.

There is a heart-shaped rock under the wooden fence. If you can throw a white stone into the rock, your love will be fulfilled.
It would be great if love is fulfilled.

Returning again, we had lunch at AWASHIMA, a pizza shop in Awashima Park.

It is great to eat freshly baked hot pizza on the terrace.
It was just the right size for sharing, and the side dishes were also delicious.

After the meal, we will depart for Matama Beach.

Japan’s Sunset 100｜”Matama Coast” with beautiful mudaflats

This is “Matama Beach” where you can see the best sunset in Japan.
The beautiful tidal flats can also be seen and have been used as a filming location for movies.
A café was opened in a newly renovated building in late April 2023.

Here is a view of the mudflats on a clear day. This alone would be a beautiful spectacular view.

In the evening, the mudflats turn orange and the view becomes even more spectacular.

If you can see it together, your love may come true.

Enjoy trick art at “Koi Kana Tunnel” lined with art!

There is also a pedestrian tunnel near Matama Beach called the “Koi Kana Tunnel.”
The tunnel is quite long and is lined with artworks.

Some of the artworks can be enjoyed as trick art.

You can enjoy Koi Kana Tunnel even if you walk and push your bicycle. The inside of the tunnel is brightly lit.

Go back in time to “Showa Town” in Bungo Takada

Cycling along Koi Kana Road for about 8km, you will arrive at the “Showa Town.”
The townscape, which looks like a time slip from the Reiwa era to the Showa era, has been used as a filming location for movies.

Visitors can enjoy touring the Showa-era streets and shops along the shopping street.

“Wagyu Meat Kanaoka” is famous for its delicious butcher’s croquettes, and many customers come here to buy croquettes.

You may also enjoy the fusion of Reiwa and Showa era with many interesting stores.
It is one of the most popular places to go for both children and adults.

Course Introduction

▼Oita Cycle tour Ring
https://oitacycletour-ring.com/

▼Seaside and Coffee Kotori
https://kotorisendensitu.com/

▼Tourinryo
https://www.touinryou-sangaiya.com/

Summary

We have introduced a 107km course on the sea side of Kunisaki Peninsula coastline, featuring art and spectacular views, recommended for dates and women’s trips.

If you come to Roadside Station Kunisaki by car, the return trip is about 51km the way you came. If you ride a bicycle, you can go to Beppu or Nakatsu by bicycle because you can reach Usa Station after 4.5km from Showa Town.

The sea side of Kunisaki Peninsula is full of scenic spots, art and galleries, as well as cafes and restaurants.

And the Koi Kana Road for matchmaking is recommended for couples and married couples. Why not enjoy a date or a girls’ trip while soaking up the sea breeze in the pleasant season?

Supported by Oita Cycle tour Ring