A road protected by a mountain where gods reside

I have cycled in various locations since I began competing in triathlons 23 years ago. I have been traveling along the Daisen Sightseeing Road by car since my childhood, but when I rode along it by bicycle I was again reminded of Daisen’s superb natural beauty. After passing by the front of Nikko Elementary School and climbing the slope, if you look back midway you can see Daisen above the elementary school. It is a picturesque spot where artists sometimes take canvases and do sketches. This course cannot be taken by car, so if I hadn’t traveled by bicycle I wouldn’t have known about the road. There is also little traffic in the vicinity of Daisen, so in many places the roads are suited to cycling.
The Tour de Daisen cycling event is held every year in May, and for training purposes, I ascend the road with the middle- and high-school students I coach to Daisenji, which is the starting point for the event. You can also see the Sea of Japan from Daisenji. When competing in triathlons, it is ideal to be able to swim in the ocean and then ride on a mountain immediately.
The most appealing thing about Daisen is that it is near the sea. There is also an upward road that extends almost straight for 13 kilometers, which serves as a good benchmark for training. Additionally, when viewed from the south Daisen is shaped like Mount Fuji, but when seen from the north it appears angular. Depending on where you are it thus seems like a completely different mountain. Daisen has a 1,300-year history, and it is referred to as a mountain where gods reside. Wherever you are riding Daisen is by your side, making you feel protected and safe.