JR Sanko-sen Line, the 108.1km long railway that connected Gotsu City, Shimane prefecture and Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture was discontinued in March, 2018. This 87km course is to the center of Gotsu City, along the former railway of Sanko-sen Line and paralleling the Gono-kawa River, the biggest river in Chugoku Region. This course is ideal for intermediate cyclists on a downhill base with decent ups and downs, there will be the wonderful view of Gono-kawa River and unique bridges, and feeling the local life and nature.
Head to Japan Sea from former Kuchiba Station, border to Hiroshima Prefecture!
Start from former Kuchiba Station (Shimokuchiba, Onan-cho), the closest station to Hiroshima Prefecture on this former line, with the red Seikishu-gawara Tile on top of the building. Then begin the course along the Gono-kawa River soon after the start.
There is former Uzui Station, the popular and famous site in Uzui, Onan-cho on the way. The station is 20m from the ground level with the 116 stairs to the platform, known as “Tenku no Eki, The Sky Station”, and the illumination event at this station by the locals was nationwide news. Continue the course after the visit to the station.
The first resting spot is Road Station Green Road Daiwa with the green tiles on top of the building. Find local delicacies in the cafe and farmer’s market.
Continuing along the Gono-kawa River and the former railway, then there will be former Ushio Station (Nagato, Misato-cho) on the way. The row of cherry trees nearby is a popular site in spring and lot of people come when cherries are in bloom.
Road Station Green Road Daiwa
Address: Nagato 248-2, Misato-cho, Ochi-gun, Shimane Prefecture
Tel: 0855-82-2812
Business Hours: 9:30-18:00
Closed: End of year and New year
Visiting unique former station buildings and related sites
After the former Uzui Station, there will be the scenery of Gono-kawa Rive on one side, then the scenery of valleys and villages on the other side. There are many sites related to the former Sanko-sen Line such as a tunnel dug through rock and uniquely designed station buildings.
There are over 10 bridges on the Gono-kawa River on the way to Japan Sea; the variety of styles and colours such as brown cable-stayed bridge, pink, green truss bridge are very interesting.
Misatoichi Market
Address: Masubuchi, Misato-cho, Shimane Prefecture
Tel: 0855-75-1006
Business Hours: 8:30-20:00
Closed: never
Road Station Information Centre Kawamoto
Address: Inbara 505-5, Kawamoto-cho, Ochi-gun, Shimane Prefecture
Tel: 0855-72-1111
Business Hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed: End of Year and New Year
There is a wooden building of former Kawahira Station in Kawahiracho, Gotsu City on the way. Built as one of the first buildings of the former Sanko-sen Line, the style of this retro spec wooden building attracted many fans, and this station was used for the location filming of “Tennen Kokekko (A Gentle Breeze in the Village)” and “Suna no Utsuwa”.
Back to Gono-kawa River crossing the railway after former Kawahira Station, Gotsu Station (Gotsucho, Gotsu City), the goal of this course is so close as the view of Shin Gogawa Bridge and the industrial zone is getting in the sight.
The cafe Honmachi Kitchen Imadeya, near the finish, is a renovated old building by the Gono-kawa River.
Food with carefully selected ingredients and nice tea, convenient for a little break before the finish.
Honmachi Kitchen Imadeya
Address: Gotsucho 46, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture
Tel: 0855-52-0722
Business Hours: 11:00-15:00 (lunch)
17:00-21:00 (dinner with reservation)
Closed: Tuesday
Arriving at Gotsu Station. Marukoyama Park, near by the station next to Gotsu City Hall, is the site to enjoy the view of cherry blossom and the sea all together as Somei Yoshino cherry trees and azaleas planted at the top of the hill towards Japan Sea.
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