Day 14 – Okayama (Okayama Station) to Himeji (Himeji Castle)
89km – This is it, the end is in sight. The final stage will take us over the mountains that separate the Chugoku region from the Western Plains of Kansai, into Hyogo, the home of the famous Kobe Beef. We’ll navigate river valleys before climbing the mountains and then making the final push into Himeji. As we pull up to the most famous castle in Japan, we should be able to view the best Sakura scene in the World. At last we’ll be able to rest, and we may even celebrate it all with a Wagyu dinner!
The final leg of this epic journey starts in Okayama and takes us over the mountains that separate the Chugoku and Kansai regions. Well known for the modern city of Osaka and historic former capital of Kyoto, Kansai is a densely populated area filled with history.
We’ll stop in the first major city in the prefecture of Hyogo. Himeji is home to the most famous castle in Japan, and Hyogo is also well known for its world renowned Kobe Beef, a type of Wagyu that can only be found in the city of Kobe.
As we move away from the more rural areas of Japan, we’ll start to get a taste of the true urbanisation of the country. Tunnels that cut through mountains, and finally roads that carry us to the plains of Kansai. As we dismount our bikes one last time, we’ll stand in front of Himeji Castle itself, taking in Japan’s complex mix of history and modernisation.
Highlights
- Mountains and Tunnels separating the Chugoku and Kansai regions
- Himeji Castle
Food & Accommodation
A long day with some difficult climbs, we will need to eat on the go. After reaching Himeji and celebrating making it to the finish line, we’ll hitch a ride to Kobe where we’ll be able to sit back and relax knowing our legs will finally get the rest they deserve. Even better will be a feast of Kobe Beef!