SBK Japan

Day 7

A loud speaker voice: “Don't forget your belongins” Forget what? I don’t even know where I am let alone what I’m supposed to forget. Couldn’t care really. Pretty happy sleeping in this comfy bed but. Mmmm this bed is the best I’ve slept in since. ..”Next stop Sendai” Oh! grunt, shuffle, bang the head on the above bunk, pull on the riding duds and grab all my gear like a monkey in a banana shop. Next thing I remember is riding out of the ferry into the bright morning Aomori light. Made it!
Another 10 comfy minutes in bed and I would have been trapped aboard for the next 18 or so hours. That would have been a waste as I still had 2 days of riding left before I had to be back under the workman’s whip.

So haphazardly, at 7.30am, throw everything under the net on the back, figure from the Mapple I need to be heading out rt7 and so set off tracking the easy to follow signs looking for breaky. Several kms down the strip outa town, pull in for a plastic treat at a white’n’blue combini.
Beautiful morning! Clear sky, fresh cool air and countryside quiet. Still crusty but the sunshine brings me around. Just polishing off the last of breaky, a small gang of equipped riders rolls in. K1200R, KTM Superduke, ZZR1400, MonsterS4R and a Harley bringing up the rear. The K1200R does a few loops sussing out the car park before pulling in near the FZ1. A chat over the mapple had the graying Yamagata locals advising me against my intended route and instead taking the Goldline south to Towado-ko before heading west for Hirosaki. Didn’t take much persuading once I saw all the purple lines they were recommending. After our chat, they mounted up and shot off toward the north west peninsula.
I took the opportunity of great weather and early start to fix the starcom(comms system) which had been trapped under the touring pack on the rear seat since leaving Yokohama. Problem? Feedback and the radar detector wasn’t being heard. Fixed the feedback by a volume/sensitivity adjustment, tuned the vox for better(less) response and gave up on the radar detector which turned out to be causing 1/2 of the feedback. Just had to continue watching for the bright flashing lights. In any case, had the Ipod running, clearly visible and adjustable through the tankbag’s top cover and the phone connecting via Bluetooth whenever it came within 3 metres of the bike with the ignition on. Packed up and hit the road.
After a brief stint along rt7 through Aomori city, swung south and slowly climbed up into the surrounding hills along 103. Got a good view from the lip of the escarpment down over Aomori and when looking west, off toward Hirosaki, a beautiful big cloud tipped mountain standing ominously at it’s back. That must be Aomori’s Fuji, Iwaki-san. My whole reason for getting of that ferry. What a GREAT day! As I yelled that, inside my helmet, a family gave me the weirdo look. Well, if the hat fits.. . .
Heading back into the hills meant twisties and man, had I missed twisties. The FZ1 was rolling and the airbox was growling out of the hairpins. The road just got better and better, a bit dodgy in some spots but, in general a 7+. The strong sunlight was lighting up the road but only managing a dappled effect in the dense greenery off the blacktop.

Slowly the traffic thickened, in the opposite direction, with tour buses and old geezers admiring the numerous waterfalls, streams and mossy undergrowth. My than a few curses expelled there.

But I could see why they were there. It is a breath taking place. One of the few mystical places I’ve felt in Japan. Had to stop

This S sign actually meant severe hairpins ahead. Japan prides iteself on it's humbleness but in road signs :bad-words: A trend that I got used to in the region

Recharged, headed for Towado-ko. Great lake. The initial section was loaded with tourist there to see the 7 maidens of the lake or something. I wasted about 10 minutes getting redirected around the carpark before giving up.The west side of the lake was mostly empty and really charged. Hit a gorgeous section and had to pull in. Wish it had have been a little later and I would have happily camped there.


Off to Hirosaki was a nice climbing-falling twisty section and the Starcom received it's 1st call from The Dude. We had a chat but I had to cut him off because I was having to much fun and he was cursing me for the wooping and yeehaing I was bleeting down the line while carving up rt454's twisties.
Before long the FZ1 had us gliding down toward Hirosaki in search of one of the few remaining original construction castles. Easy to find, just follow the signs. Really, just follow the signs even though it runs contrary to your gut feeling, the other massive castle to the north and the mapple, they will get you there. Although Hirosaki castle is only a small turret tower section of the original construction surrounded by a magnificent moat amongst gorgeous gardens, it is worth the visit even if only to be followed by the semi-retired wannabe ninja security guard. All rather pinkpantherish. The fiendish old cojer evaded my camera but here's the grounds


Complete with the drop doors for raining down arrows or red hot pitch on the pour unfortunate souls unlucky enough to have swum the moat and found themselves scurrying up the rock wall below.

Got a bit pekish with all that walking so decided to head for some local cuisine, Apple and Scallop curry. Was really good. With fresh apple juice of course

The left foot was starting to ghost shift and the right wrist kept twitching. It was time to hit the road again and the coming road had been on the to do list for a looooooong time. The nerves and senses were edgy. 69 curves in 10km!

A cloudy day with not many people about, the entrance was empty and the toll troll said to take care as it was cold and foggy at the top. So, on with the challenge. The Iwaki Skyline! A climbing, ever twisting set of switchbacks where the straights between the bends get shorter and shorter as you climb higher and higher.

Settling in, the rear started to drift more and more on exits and the pegs were plowing for longer and longer. Around ½ way up, what I expected to be a switchback was only a right hander and was glad no one was coming down in the opposite direction. Then it all returns to the flow again, rising up through and out of the cloud bank and just as things are becoming routine, it comes to an end. That was fun! Let’s do it again! So down and up again.. . . After 200+ curves in 30km I needed a break and the cold air at the top was perfect.

Road condition was pretty good too

Finally got to attack the fat bastard on the 7 day old PilotRoad2s

Heading down from Iwaki went north and followed the coast west and then south. Headed for the coast was a hoot with lots of medium pace long sweepers

But the coast was quite boring and I thought I was gonna have to stop for a kip but Midnightrun rung and the Starcom sprung life. We chatted as the road rolled by for about 30 minutes down some boring blacktop and through the now mundane towns. Thanks MR for the wake up call :thumbright:
Back on the road I set my sights on Hachimori which promised a nice auotcamp and onsen. Along the way the sun was setting and .. .

.. then Hacimori showed itself

The campsite was great with a big onsen next door that sat on a small escarpment with the rotemburo offering a fantastic night view over the ocean. Staggered outa the onsen, grabbed a couple of beers and headed back to the tent to cook some grub and reflect on the days adventure. Was really starting to feel at home on the road by now but it was to be my last night under the stars