HOKKAIDO (Bear Hunt Day 8): Odaito to Nijibetsu


Odaito is well known for its sunrises. This was the best this morning’s one could muster.

Sunrise over the Notsuke Peninsula (Otaido, Japan)

It is worth noting that the sun rises at 4am at this time of the year. Which means that for cycling, we’re on the road by around 5:30am. So that means breakfast at 5am, second breakfast at 9am, lunch at noon, and dinner at 5pm, with bedtime at around 7:30pm.

In any case, much of today’s scenery reminded us a lot of the Taranaki region in the North Island of New Zealand. Lots of dairy farms. And, with so much of the year shrouded in winter, this time of year is prime grass-growing time.

Dairy farms near Nijibetsu (Hokkaido, Japan)36

Dairy farms near Nijibetsu (Hokkaido, Japan) Dairy farms near Nijibetsu (Hokkaido, Japan)

Dairy farms near Nijibetsu (Hokkaido, Japan)

And while we didn’t see any cows on the road, signs warned us to keep an eye out.

Dairy farms near Nijibetsu (Hokkaido, Japan)

Our campsite for tonight was the very well appointed Nijibetsu Auto Camp. The plan was to camp. But it was raining. So we got a bungalo instead. We felt all very colonial.

Dinner was a little different this time. Vegetarian curry. It was my turn to cook. And to try to look staunch whilst doing so.

Dinner at the Nijibetsu Autocamp (Nijibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan) Good facilities at the Nijibetsu Autocamp (Nijibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan)

We avoided the rain and got a bungalow for the night at the Nijibetsu Autocamp (Nijibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan)

Route Map


View Larger Map

Distance: 61km | Time on bikes: 4h 00m | Average speed: 15.2km/h | Bears: 0
Financials: Food: 5,676yen | Accommodation: 3,150yen | Laundry: 400yen

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *