Akashi City is known as the “City of Time” because of its location on the Japanese standard meridian (135°E longitude). It is also known as the “City of Straits” as it is a hub for shipping routes to Awaji Island across Akashi Straits, and is famous for fresh seafood such as Akashi sea bream and Akashi octopus caught in the Seto Inland Sea.
We will introduce a 44-km seaside cycling tour along Hama-no-Walkway (Seaside Walkway, Harima Cycling Road), which is also a part of Himeji-Akashi Bicycle Path, to view Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and the beautiful sea.
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The start is Okura Beach Park
The start is at Okura Beach Park. There are many parking lots around the park, which is easily accessible by car and well maintained.
If you use a train, it is a short walk from Asagiri Station on JR Sanyo Main Line, so it is convenient for meeting up.
Get ready with a view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and start cycling.
Famous “Akashiyaki” from Akashi Park
First, head north through the city center to Akashi City Museum of Astronomy and Science.
Inside the museum, which is symbolized by its 6.2-meter-diameter clock, there are facilities for learning about astronomy and space, including the oldest planetarium still in operation in Japan.
If you ride along “Toki-no-Michi (Road of Time)” in front of the Astronomy & Science Museum, you will find a bicycle racing track on the west side of Akashi Park, a former site of the Akashi Bicycle Race Track, which was closed down in March 1961 and reconstructed as a bicycle racing track with a lap length of 400 m.
Akashi Park is a castle ruins park that was converted from the ruins of Akashi Castle. The castle tower does not remain, but beautiful turrets and stonewalls can still be seen.
From Akashi Park, pass through the city center to “Honke Kimuraya” near Akashi Port, a long-established restaurant established in 1924.
The tamagoyaki (Akashiyaki) made with fresh Akashi octopus and eggs is exquisite; 20 pieces for 900 yen (tax included) can be shared between two people.
Harima Cycling Road
1 km west of Honke Kimuraya and across Akashi River is the entrance to “Hama-no-Walkway (Harima Cycling Road)”.
“Hama-no-Walkway” , also called Harima Cycling Road, is a part of the general prefectural road, Himeji-Akashi Bicycle Route, which runs along the sea for about 8 km to Eigashima Beach.
Bokaihama Beach is located on the west bank of the mouth of the Akashi River. The beautiful sandy beach and the sea are spread out.
Enjoy the pleasant breeze and beautiful scenery as you ride to Eigashima Beach.
The beach is lined with palm trees and has a resort-like atmosphere. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge can also be seen from this beautiful beach.
Shrine tours from the seaside
A 700-meter ride along the seaside from Eijima Beach will take you to Nagasawa Akashi Eijima Sake Brewery.
Nagasawa Akashi Eigashima Sake Museum is a complex facility that includes Akashi brewery, restaurant, and store for Akashi Beer, Akashi’s representative craft beer.
The store also sells “White Oak Akashi,” a Japanese whiskey from Eigashima Whiskey Distillery.
Another 1.2 km away is Uozumi-Sumiyoshi Shrine. The shrine is home to many cultural assets, including a Noh stage donated by Tadazane Ogasawara, the first lord of Akashi Castle.
The beautiful view from the torii gate overlooking Harimanada Sea is also an attraction.
From the seaside road, cross the bridge to Akashi Seaside Park.
From the park, return to the prefectural road to Mikuriya Shrine.
Mikuriya Shrine has a variety of good luck charms, and “Bicycle Omamori (charm for protection) ” is popular among cyclists.
From Mikuriya Shrine, ride back along the Harima Cycling Road to Fujie Beach.
Even though it is the same road, it is refreshing to see a different view when you ride toward the other side of the road.
Lunch at a cafe-restaurant by the sea
Late lunch at cafe-restaurant “No.13 (THIRTEEN)” located overlooking Fujie Beach.
The lunch course includes a pre-dinner drink and soup, appetizer (carpaccio of local fresh fish), main dish and pasta, and an after-dinner drink. The pre-dinner drink is a non-alcoholic champagne, which makes you feel a bit extravagant.
No.13 (THIRTEEN), which opened in 2022, also offers accommodations limited to one couple per day, so if you stay here, you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset and a delicious Italian dinner.
Hyogo Maiko Park
After the meal, we rode 8 km to Hyogo Maiko Park (Suma Ward, Kobe City), which is located under Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
Along Maiko Marine Promenade is the “Ijo-kaku (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall),” a nationally designated Important Tangible Cultural Property, symbolized by the octagonal hall, with Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in the background, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
“Azure Maiko” on the east side of Maiko Park offers a beautiful view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the setting sun.
After returning under the gigantic Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge overhead and taking your time to watch the sunset over the Seto Inland Sea, return to Okura Beach Park for a 3-km ride to finish the cycling tour.
Course Introduction
Distance: 43.9km Altitude gained: 62m
▼General Prefectural Road Himeji-Akashi Bicycle Route
https://tabi-rin.com/archives/course/16329
▼Akashi Tourism Association
https://www.yokoso-akashi.jp/
▼Harima Bicycle Route
https://tabi-rin.com/archives/course/94189
Summary
Akashi City’s Okura Beac Park is about an hour’s drive from Osaka Station and about an hour by train to the nearest Asagiri Station, making it easily accessible from Osaka City and the Kansai region.
In early summer, the sun sets late, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely bike ride until dusk.
This course, which offers beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and local delicacies, is also recommended for beginners as there are few hills, such as Harima Cycling Road.
There are also rental sports bicycles available near Akashi Station, so even those without bicycles can enjoy the tour.
▼Akashi, Awaji Bicycle Rental
https://tabi-rin.com/archives/bicycle_info/23547
