Toyohashi to Hamamatsu

April 30, 2025

We could certainly get used to staying in these impeccably decorated and well maintained older hotels in Japan. The design and facilities of this hotel are grand in size and offer an insight to the glory days of these hotels. It continues to feel a bit surreal to be treated like we are special guests with service provided unlike anything we have experienced in other countries.

Packed up and ready to go. The Loisir Hotel has given us memories to savour.

A designated spot in the parking garage for our trikes is not always offered or available at hotels. We knew things would go well for us here as our stay began with a hearty welcome to us and our trikes.

Proud to be a Canadian and a resident of Saltspring Island in British Columbia. Thanks to Pharmasave on Saltspring Island, we found these stickers to put on our trikes.

This is one of the taller hotels where we have stayed. We didn’t realize that it would be a lone giant on the skyline of the city. Anywhere we go, we can find our hotel just by looking up. Our room is on the 22nd floor.

This area of Japan has taken the initiative of planting flowers, as well as mass plantings of rhododendrons forming a hedge and trees bursting with colour alongside the sidewalks and road.

Konbinis (convenience stores like Lawsons and Family Mart) offer an essential service to people in Japan and visitors alike. We have not seen many 7 Eleven stores, but they seem to be everywhere in this prefecture. A nice change for us as they offer different food choices.

A new entry in 7 Eleven’s menu are locally made donuts. This maple donut with sugar topping is microwaved before serving…and yes, it is yummy.

We have ridden from Toyohashi to the Pacific Coast to resume our ride along the Pacific Coast Cycle Road. The signage is excellent and the conditions have been good. Occasionally we encounter a barrier where it connects that gives us and our trikes a challenge, but mostly it is accessible.

And here we are….back on the coast with endless vistas of the sea. Today, there is a local initiative to join in and pick up any plastic along the shore.

The beautiful windswept Japanese coast of the Pacific Ocean. We live on the Pacific Coast and feel a kinship with inhabitants here as we also love living by the sea.

I contributed some plastic I found to these women.

One of Barry’s favourite treats is this doriyaki bun filled with bean paste and sometimes whipped cream. We didn’t tempt ourselves by visiting the shop, but we do enjoy one on occasion from a Konbini.

This woman was driving by and quickly pulled in to chat and take a gazillion photos of us and our trikes. A freight truck came and wanted the spot so off she went. But she wasn‘t finished with us ……up ahead she pulled over again, we stopped and after many photos, laughter and conversation, she waved us off. A funny and entertaining encounter.

The tide is out which lets us see where they put nets to catch shellfish.

We have been riding through a residential area with narrow streets. It is the end of the school day and home time for the students. Unlike at home where many students rely on their parents to pick them up, we see students riding their bikes or walking home. As a group they call out to us and we return the greeting.

Wow, Denny’s is a popular restaurant here. From what we have read, the food is better here and offers Western and Japanese food.

7 Eleven….we are fans of this chain in Japan but not so much in Canada.

Our plan is to ride to Tokyo as the first leg of our trip at 1500 km. It was tempting to take an edited photo showing only Tokyo and celebrating our journey. But no, we will carry on.

We see this manhole cover in every city we visit.

Our hotel offers a Happy Hour where 1 alcoholic drink and /or endless non-alcoholic drinks are available with snacks. We have made a quick stop here before heading out for dinner.

We chose the Asahi Clear beer. We liked the automated machine that poured a perfect pint. The glass is positioned on the stand and then it is lifted and angled so that the beer pours in as it should producing a nice head.

We don’t have beer often, but this was an opportunity to have a nicely pulled pint. Arigato Hotel Villa Katekura.

We thought that we would give Denny’s a try. My meal was very tasty…chicken in a tomato sauce with lots of veggies.

Barry had spaghetti with a meat tomato sauce, eggplant and a soft fried egg on top. 80% of the menu is Japanese and we were pleasantly surprised at the higher standard of food in Japan’s Denny’s.

Denny’s eating area. They offer a drinks bar with unlimited beverages (non alcoholic).

Many locals were at Denny’s for desert. It is melon season and they have an assortment of special deserts for the season.

Our hotel is close by. We have had a full day of riding and a pleasant evening. We are on the 9th floor with a bit of a view.

We were offered primary parking outside, but chose the underground garage. We like to keep our trikes undercover when we can.

Today's ride: 40 km (25 miles)
Total: 641 km (398 miles)

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