Click to download the Toyota City Pottering Map describing the route presented in this column (Japanese).

Inabu Area is the easy-peasy downhill course!
This time we chose a course around the Inabu Area. The main characteristic of this itinerary is that the hardest climbs are transposed by bus, so it's almost entirely downhill all the way. Perfect for Pottering Beginners, who will be able to complete the course without sacrificing too much of themselves. So, let's Toyota City Pottering! [Inabu - Asahi Edition]

This day's course (Time required: About 9 hours, Distance travelled: Approx. 62km):
Toyotashi Station - Oiden Bus [Kaisoku Inabu] to Mizuwakare Hiroba - Former Mayumi Bridge - Omokaru-sama Shrine - Oidaira Park - Hitotoki - Zuiryuji Temple - Inabashi Hachiman Shrine - Yasaku Dam - Jurakuso - Mikawa-Hirose Station - Toyotashi Station

▲As long as the bicycles are inside the bike bags, it's possible to take them inside the bus. Just make sure no parts of it are exposed, and you'll be fine.

▲Today's members, a mix of beginners and not-so-beginners, great company for a nice Pottering.

Stopover Spot １
■Japanese Sweets "Matsuzuki" (59-5 Ochi, Kuroda-cho, Toyota-City)
A popular sweets shop beloved by fans country wide. We purchased the "Hanjuku Cheese" cake made with semi-cured cheese. Melts in the mouth and has a thick cheese flavor. Delicious!

Stopover Spot 2
■Former Mayumi Bridge (Matsubuchi, Goshogaitsu-cho, Toyota-City)
Now unused, this reinforced concrete arch bridge is a remnant of the Taisho Era, being built in the 8th Taisho Year (1919). Is immediately after the entrance to the old road, so careful to not let it slip away unnoticed.

▲Leisurely pottering about while enjoying the old townscapes and vegetation along the road.

Stopover Spot 3
■Omokarusama Figure (161 Yashiki, Busetsumachi, Toyota-City)
A stone that shows if your wishes will come true.
Located in what is believed to be a spiritually powerful spot (local people will use the Japanese-made moniker "Power Spot") in the Shotengai Merchant's street of Inabu, behind the Japanese cuisine restaurant Tsutaya, the Omokarusama is a small statue carved in stone to which you ask a wish, and then take in your hands to lift it up. It is believed that, if you feel it is light, then it means the wish will likely come true. If otherwise you feel it to be heavy, then maybe it will not realize. To the left of Omokarusama is the Fudosama stone, to which people come when seeking help in looking for lost items.

Stopover Spot 4
■Oidaira Park (5-1 Oidaira, Inabu-cho, Toyota-City)
Enjoying the foliage and the nature from the suspension bridge is superb!
The Kaze-no-Tsuribashi Bridge extends for 86 meters across the Naguragawa River. Widely known as a beautiful spot for autumn leaves.

Stopover Spot 5
■Hito-to-Ki Café (8-1 Tahira, Inabu-cho, Toyota-City)
A café where you'll meet a simple and beautiful life style.
This shop is a mix of café and furniture shop, and introduces a "slow, countryside" way of life. It has furniture and household items such as cutlery and others, which are made exclusively with materials of Japanese or Toyota-City origins. The workshop has lots of ideas for the home, and the café, delicious lunches.
TEL 0565-83-1008
Open hours 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (4:00 PM on weekdays)
Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (closes also on other non-scheduled days and some winter recess days, please call in advance to check)

Stopover Spot 6
■Zuiryuji Temple (3 Terayama, Inabu-cho, Toyota-City)
A famous spot for weeping sakura cherry blossoms
Zuiryuji Temple is famous for its weeping cherry tree, highly popular during the sakura blooming season and estimated to be over 370 years old. The Sanmon Main Gate, named Shoro-mon (associating the kanji for bell, cherry blossom, and gate), is an impressive piece of architecture. We stopped for a break at the gate front stairs, with a nice mountain breeze on our faces.

Stopover Spot 7
■Inabashi Hachiman Shrine (1 Miyanohira, Inabu-cho, Toyota-City)
A symbol of matrimonial happiness, the "Merged Trees"
Both estimated to be about 700 years old, the giant "sugi" cedar embracing the "hinoki" cypress at the base make them both appear to be one a single tree. The perimeter of the combined trunk at ground level is about 8 meters. This impressively huge work of nature is prayed upon by the locals for marriage happiness.

▲Not exactly a sightseeing spot, but during our travel we came upon the factory plant of Toyotake, that cuts and sews the linings of car seats. This company has a mountain bike department, brought up to help vitalize the local economy. According to the president, Mr. Yokota, "Inabu is great in the morning! Running through the clear air while being bathed by the dawn's sunlight is a precious experience". The boasting about Inabu and small talk about bicycles lasted for quite a while!

Stopover Spot 9
■Yahagi Dam (67 Higashibata, Shizurase-cho, Toyota-City)
The dam with a beautiful giant arch
A huge dam located deep amidst the mountains, towering 100 meters in height and stretching 323 meters in length. We took a break and rested while enjoying the sumptuous curvature of this mammoth of concrete. Seems like people can tour the inside of the dam if reservations are made in advance.

▲Lunch break in Odo-cho. The restaurant owner asked to not have the establishment revealed, but Goheimochi rice cakes on a stick for 100 yen and Yakisoba noodles at 350 yen, both grilled and prepared on the spot upon ordering, are a bargain that's worth looking for!

▲We stumbled upon a poultry farm along the way and did a tour. Fresh eggs, anyone?
■Ikeno Hennery (Farm-In Ki-to-Ki Kokko) (218 Nakanishi, Kuremata-cho, Toyota-City)
At Kokko, besides lodging, guest are also able to experience making pizza, harvest eggs at the hennery and other activities.
TEL 0565-65-2326

Stopover Spot 10
■Jurakuso (Toyota City Senior Onsen Relaxation Facility) (722 Higashida, Hirabata-cho, Toyota-City)
Reinvigorating radon hot springs
The radon-enriched waters are the main attractive. Besides good for a smooth skin, helped in alleviating some of the weariness gained in the first half of the trip. We kept it short to not over-relax our muscles.
TEL 0565-65-3611

Stopover Spot 11
■Mikawa-Hirose Station (42-5 Kanda, Hirose-cho, Toyota-City)
The charming retired train station
Appointed as National Registered Tangible Cultural Asset, the former Mikawa-Hirose Station, part of the now discontinued Meitetsu Mikawa Line, is now reformed as a café that sells Goheimochi and Matcha green tea, and the outside areas host Morning Markets on some days of the month.o

Click to download the Toyota City Pottering Map describing the route presented in this column (Japanese).

*: Article written on October 2017. Maps added some time afterwards.