Recharge your batteries with holy power
on the island of God

After eating a lot on Oshima and Hakata Island, Sakudo and Watanabe from Notteru girls crossed over to Omishima island. This island is called God's island and is famous for the Oyamazumi Shrine, which was worshipped by the Minamoto and Taira clans when the Genpei war was fought in the Seto Inland Sea. Shall we go there later?

Organic limoncello and
lemon goods only available here

As you cycle along, the sparkling, pleasant afternoon light surround you. A little further down the lane, there's another cute little shop.

When you open the door, there are lemons, lemons, lemons... so many lemon goods and accessories are lined up in a row.

“They're so cute!”

Sakudo looked so excited as soon as she entered the shop. It says Limone, so is it a lemon shop?
“Yes, it is. We grow lemons and make limoncello and other drinks. I sell sundries because I like them,” says Tomoko Yamazaki, owner of Limone.

As she says, drinks such as limoncello and limecello are sold in the shop. And these are made with organic ingredients from 100% home-grown farms.

“I think it's rare to find limoncello made from domestically grown lemons using organic farming methods.”

Mr and Mrs Yamazaki used to live in the Kanto region of Japan, but moved here in 2008 because they “longed to live in an inconvenient place”. The Limoncello, which is JAScertified organic, was bought as a souvenir by a staff member, and it certainly tasted more natural and rustic than the Limoncello drunk at Italian restaurants. It seems to have many fans and can be purchased on the Limone website (see URL at the end of this article).

Meanwhile, Sakudo is absorbed in choosing sundries.
“I've never seen such a variety of lemon goods on display. And they are all so cute!”
Indeed, the selection is amazing. Where do you buy these from?
Some of them I buy in Italy, but there are also quite a few originals. Some of them are made in collaboration with island artists.
Are these original? Is it because you have good taste that you make all these cute things?
“I just like them. I also have a sake brewer, so it's already hard work every day, I feel like I'm going to collapse (laughs).”
On the mail order website, they sell sake but no sundries, so it's a treat only for those who visit the shop. If you visit Omishima, be sure to drop by.

Lemon squeezer designed by Mrs. Yamazaki

Some products are made in collaboration with artists from the island and the neighbors

Get a bicycle charm
at a sacred place where the
Minamoto and Heike clans also prayed

The two of them have stocked up on souvenirs, and have completely satisfied their girl’s mind. So, before it gets dark, let's visit Oyamazumi Shrine.

Oyamazumi Shrine. This is the main shrine of Iyo Province and the head shrine of all Yamazumi and Mishima shrines in Japan. It is one of the most famous power spots on the Shimanami Kaido. The shrine, where many warlords, including those of the Genpei clan, once prayed for good fortune, is also known for housing 80% of the armour and armour designated as national treasures and important cultural assets. In those days, warriors used to wear amulets here on their helmets.

“In that vein, there is an amulet here that you can wear on your helmet. I wear one too.”
The amulet shown to me by Sakudo is very small and the size of a long, thin helmet. I see.

“It's called a sacred place for cyclists. Of course I've been here many times myself,” said Watanabe.

The shrine used to be a place where people prayed for safety on the battlefield, but nowadays many people pray for traffic and operational safety. Cyclists will be happy to know that there is a very large bicycle parking area. This is indeed a ‘holy place’.

After passing through the torii gate, you will pass through a wide path in the greenery to the main shrine. Already, you get the feeling that there is a very good vibe circulating around.
The famous feature here is a 2,600-year-old camphor tree. Can you see how big it is when compared to them?

The tree is so big, but legend has it that if you circle the tree three times while holding your breath, your wish will come true. If you have the lung capacity, please give it a try.

Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari

Wow. That is indeed an unusual building. This museum exhibits the progress of the “Thinking about a new lifestyle from Omishima” project that Mr. Ito is working on. Various attempts were underway at the same time to evolve the island from various angles while utilizing its beauty and good qualities, such as making wine on Omishima, renovating a primary school and building a hotel, and creating an environment that is both environmentally friendly and easy to live in through the creation of electric mobility. What a wonderful project. We would definitely like to take the time to cover the project again.

While we were absorbed in looking around the museum, the sun was setting. When we went outside, we saw a beautiful sunset.

The special rice bowl topped with fish from the nearby seas and dipped in a homemade sauce.

“It's delicious. The fish is plump,” said Watanabe.
“The sea urchin is sweet and delicious! I like sea urchin, and I'm quite satisfied with this one,” said Sakudo.
“The fish from Imabari has a very lean flesh. People from outside the prefecture are often surprised that even the fish they buy at the supermarket tastes good,” says Sakudo.
Fish that have tasted good after being rubbed by the rough sea. It's the perfect reward for a day's work.

Let's go to Imabari Towel Head Store
and buy some souvenirs

Incidentally, although it didn't fit into their schedule, there is a spa facility near Oyamazumi Shrine, where many cyclists go to rinse off their sweat. The course from the shrine to Mare Gracia to Kifune is also attractive. It seems to purify both mind and body.

On the way back, you can arrange a car to return home or, if you still have extra energy, you might enjoy staying overnight on Omishima and returning the next day on a different route.
If you are returning by ferry, be aware that the last ferry leaves early.

Observatory bath at Mare Gracia Omishima

Let me also say that Imabari Towel Head Store is the best place to buy souvenirs from Imabari. The main store is open until 6pm, so Sakudo and Watanabe stopped by the next day to do shopping; it was renovated in 2017 and is a popular new place to visit in Imabari,so be sure to stop by.

I'll take this one! (Sakudo)

After all, what was supposed to be a light cycling tour ended up taking quite a long time. But this is only part of the story. Why don't you come and ride in Imabari once?

Thanks to Sakudo and Watanabe, Notteru girls, for your great work.