Odai Town is a registered UNESCO Eco-Park site and is home to the Miya River, which has been selected as one of the 18 rivers with the "best water quality.
We will introduce a workcation stay that incorporates e-bike cycling in a forest with a clean water river flowing through it to keep your body and brain in a reasonable amount of exercise.
Overnight stay at Okuise Forestopia Miyagawa Sanso
Okuise Forestopia offers accommodations in mountain villas, cottages, and camp sites.
This time we stayed in a Western-style twin room in a mountain villa.
This plan includes breakfast and is available for one person traveling alone or on business. Towels and indoor clothes are also provided in the room.
The large natural hot spring bath was a very welcome addition.
The quality of the water made my skin moist and fluffy rather than smooth. There is a large natural hot spring bath, which was a very nice feature.
All you need to work remotely (Wi-Fi environment is available. Desks, chairs, and extension cords are available for loan so that you can work comfortably.
You can also work in the lobby with a view for a change.
Enjoy a meal made with ingredients from the local town of Odaicho.
We had dinner at Okuise Forestopia and breakfast the next morning.
Local Odai-machi ingredients were used for dinner, and the main fish dish, "Poele of Odai-machi eel and Norwegian salmon with Odai tea aroma," was especially delicious.
For breakfast we had a delicious porridge with several toppings. It is a large serving.
Experience forest cycling on an e-bike
Verde Odai Tourism offers a variety of activities to enjoy the rich nature of Okuise Odai.
Depending on the season, you can experience fascinating programs such as SUP, kayaking, and mountain climbing.
This time, we tried e-bike cycling, which can be experienced even in winter.
The program name is [E-bike] Mountain Forest King Forest and Waterfall Adventure BIKE&HIKE.
This was a two-and-a-half-hour round-trip program starting from Okuise Forestopia and cycling through the forest to Takigashira Fudo Waterfall.
Do you exercise on a regular basis? Have you ever ridden a mountain bike before? After a careful instruction on how to ride, pedal, and pay attention, we took a test ride and set off.
Since we are climbing a mountain, there are many steep inclines, but the power of the e-bike makes the uphill as light and easy as a flat road.
Learn about forests through guided cycling programs
Mr. Noda of Verde Odai Tourism, our guide.
He started the business because he wanted more people to know and enjoy the rich natural environment of Odaicho.
It also operates a guesthouse, "Guesthouse Mate Mate," which is also available for workcation use.
We stopped at key points and were guided through many things about the forest.
He talked about the meaning of the markings on the trees, why the logs lie between the trees, and the history of how the forest we passed through to reach Takigashira Fudo Falls was created and has been preserved to this day.
Arrival at Takigashira Fudo Waterfall
After climbing the mountain and arriving at the torii gate built by the locals, follow the rocky path on foot to Takigashira Fudo Falls.
The waterfall, with a drop of about 30 meters, which can be seen from the mouth of the waterfall to the basin, is powerful and can be seen up close, although we were told that the water volume is low at this time of the year.
The return trip is downhill, so the load is applied so as not to go too fast, and the driver runs through the forest while braking.
It was really nice to feel the clear wind all the time.
We were given detailed instructions at key points on how to ride and drive the e-bikes so that we could safely descend the mountain without falling or slipping.
Although my hips ached a little toward the end, it was the first time in a long time that my body and brain felt comfortable with exercise, and I was able to move comfortably the next day with only a slight muscle ache in my torso.
In this program, you can take a bath in the natural hot springs of Okuise Forestopia after cycling.
Buy souvenirs at "Roadside Station, Oku Ise Oodai.
Roadside Station Okuise Oodai is used by many locals and sells local vegetables and foods.
I heard some people saying, "I have to buy a Chunchari Mochi and go home. So I bought one too.
The smooth texture of the rice cake was delicious and satisfying for mugwort lovers.
I was hooked on the sweet and salty taste of "Isonohana," a slightly firm rice cracker covered with green awamori and white sugar.
in the end
It was a good work-stay for the brain and body, with quiet and cozy accommodations that allowed me to get in some solid work time and moderate physical activity the next day.
Perhaps it is a good idea to visit in different seasons, as the land offers beautiful scenery in every season.
An example of how to spend your time
Day 1
15:00 Check in at Oku Ise Forestopia
Telework in your room
Dinner Enjoy special dishes using ingredients from Oku Ise
Day 2
Breakfast
10:00 Check out
E-bike cycling
Purchase local products at Roadside Station Okuise Oodai
Facilities
Oku Ise Forestopia
993, Sono, Odai-cho, Taki-gun, Mie 519-2513
Parking lot: Available
Verde Odai Tourism
308, Shimomade, Odai-cho, Taki-gun, Mie 519-2501
The program I participated in this time: [E-bike] Forest and Waterfall Adventure BIKE&HIKE by the King of the Mountain Forest
Roadside Station Okuise Odai
663-1 Sawara, Odai-cho, Taki-gun, Mie 519-2404
Business hours: 8:00-18:00
Parking: Available