On a sunny summer afternoon, I enjoyed my first cycling tmy in the city using a bike share service. Here is a report on my 15km bicycle pottering from Dojima Park to Osaka Hokko Marina.
Contents
I used a bicycle from Osaka Bike Share (Docomo Bike Share Service) for cycling in the city.
▲Dojima Park Port
When renting a bike, I had to repeat the process of unlocking on three bikes; on the third bike, I finally unlocked.
The first two bikes Ire already reserved. I guess they are used for commuting in this area.
The bicycles are of this type.
It has a deep and large front basket, so it can hold my work baggage with room to spare.
It looks fine for commuting use.
I have a city cycle type electric poIr assisted bicycle, but this bicycle was smaller in inches. I started riding it to see what it was like, and when I used the assist for pedaling, I found that despite its appearance, it had a solid assist poIr.
I’m not good on hills, so with this assist, I felt I could cycle with confidence, and I was off to a good start.
If you are interested in learning more about how to use Osaka Bike Share, please take a look below.
Planning my cycling trip at GARB weeks
It was around 3:00 p.m. I was about to start, but the sun was shining on the ground and I was already sweating. I decided to start when the sun was a little less intense. I made my cycling plan at “GARB weeks,” a garden café and restaurant in Nakanoshima Park.
▲“GARB weeks” has a terrace where you can enjoy BBQ.
It was a weekday afternoon, so the restaurant was relatively empty. I spent about an hour thinking about where to ride in the sunshine.
I decided to go to Cafe “Hemingway” at Osaka Hokko Marina. I left the store feeling excited since it was my first time to visit the café.
Passing through Noda Minami Greenway
I left GARB weeks and started riding my bicycles through Osaka City for a few minutes. It was a fresh feeling to be riding a bicycle next to the cars driving in the city, and I was feeling somewhat happy.
In the meantime, I arrived at Noda Minami Ryokudo. I walked along Aji River.
It was a leisurely walk with few pedestrians, and the cooler time of day allowed me to take a short break from the first half of my cycling.
Arriving at Asahi Bridge
After passing JR Nishi-Kujo Station and riding for a while, I reached Asahi Bridge. It seems that there used to be no high-rise apartments, and the landscape of this area has changed.
The path along the river seems to have been nicely corrected, and I was looking at the scenery from the bridge, wondering if the neighbors take a walk here.
Healing beautiful sunset
I encountered a beautiful sunset just as I was about to reach my destination.
I stopped my bicycle and watched the sunset from the embankment and was healed by the beautiful scenery.
I felt comfortable and tired after a light workout. I felt like relaxing at the café I was going to visit later.
Osaka Hokko Marina
After being healed by the setting sun, I headed to my destination, Café Hemingway.
The café is located at Osaka Hokko Marina (North port). I had often heard of “Nanko”(South port), but this was the first time I learned that there is also a “Hokko.”
I took a picture of the view of Hokko, which was my first visit to the area.
Dinner time at “Café & Dining Hemingway Osaka Hokko Marina
Finally, it was time to go to my destination, a café. Hemingway is a seaside café with an ocean view.
▲Hemingway and the marina
Once inside the restaurant, I sat on the terrace without hesitation.
As I ordered my meal and looked around, I noticed a swimming pool on the deck next to the restaurant.
While waiting for my food, I moved to a seat near the pool and enjoyed the sunset over Osaka Bay.
My food arrived, so I returned to my seat on the terrace. It was time for the long-awaited dinner.
▲Pasta with salsiccia and mini tomatoes
▲Hamburger steak gratin
The hot hamburger steak gratin was finished in no time.
I was surprised at how delicious a meal tastes after a bit of exercise. Also,I was happy to be able to taste the true flavor of cycling.
I was reminded of what cyclists often say, that cycling is more enjoyable when there is a “gourmet” goal in addition to just riding the bike.
After dinner, I returned my bicycle at Family Mart Konohana Shimaya shop near the station, walked to JR Ajikawaguchi station, and took the train home.
▲Returning the bicycle to the port
Course Introduction
▼GARB weeks
https://garbweeks.com/
▼CAFÉ & DINING HEMINGWAY
https://hemingway-osaka.cafe/
Summary
Although I live in Osaka, this was my first experience riding a bicycle in Osaka City, and it was a very enjoyable and refreshing first cycling experience.
The course in Osaka City that I described had some gentle hills along the way, but I was able to ride the bike with electric assist from Osaka Bike Share and the electric assist made it easy for me to kick off the bike after waiting at a traffic light at an intersection with very little effort.
Cycling in the city with Osaka Bike Share is also recommended for women who want to get some exercise after work.
It was my first time to use a bike share service, but I was able to experience the convenience of using the service that can be used in various situations, such as riding a bike to the destination, dropping it off, and returning by train on the way home.
Please look forward to seeing more of my cycling experiences with bike share service n the future.
