Day 2 of my Northeastern Adventure with the BMWR100GS Paris Dakar

I set off from Niigata Prefecture and took the Shin-Nihonkai Ferry, arriving at Akita Port at 5 in the morning. The dawn was crystal clear, with the sky painted in soft shades of pink. The night before, I'd noticed an unsettling fuel leak just before boarding the ferry, so my first order of business was to find a gas station. It turned out I'd lost about 3 liters of gasoline.

With the tank refueled, I headed towards the Oga Peninsula, where I was greeted by the breathtaking views from the summit of Kanpu Mountain. The unique shape of the peninsula was clearly visible from above, and the ride was incredibly pleasant without the heat of midday.

I originally intended to head to Aomori Prefecture next, but seeing rainclouds on the horizon, I changed course for Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture. En route, I couldn't resist a detour to Kunimi Onsen, a hot spring famed for its verdant waters. Arriving at the inn amid a light drizzle, I was immediately struck by the springs' rumored green hue. The water was hotter than I preferred, so it wasn't as relaxing as I'd hoped.

By chance, I struck up a conversation with a man from Morioka City in the hot spring. He spoke highly of the city's vibrant nightlife. Intrigued, I made a beeline for downtown Morioka. Once settled in my hotel, I ventured out to try the local dish, Jajamen noodles. They were softer than I expected and not quite to my taste. For dinner, I indulged in some fresh sashimi and horse sashimi, which was truly delightful.