Top 5 Must-Try Cycling Routes in Japan

Looking for a different way to experience your Japan tour? Japan boasts many dedicated cycling roads in beautiful areas, especially around lakes and mountains. Most of the cycling roads are far from motorized traffic, have few intersections, and are well-marked, making them very friendly to cyclists. Below are five of the most popular cycling routes that will take you to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Japan and provide you with the best cycling experience.

Cycling Routes in Japan

Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido, with Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture at one end and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture at the other, is about 70 kilometers long and can be completed in as little as four hours or as long as one day, depending on your stamina and the amount of time you spend on the islands along the way. You are free to take Onomichi City or Imabari City as your starting point, and you can rent bikes at either end of the route and drop them off at the other end. Shimanami Kaido is more popular in the spring and fall when temperatures are more comfortable.

Shimanami Kaido was once named the world's most beautiful cycling route by CNN. It crosses the Seto Inland Sea, passing through 6 islands. It is a very pleasant cycling route with very little gradient, you can enjoy the sea breeze, the blue sky and the islands all the way, and in late spring and fall you can see more than 400 varieties of roses on the route.

Coastal Scenery Along Shimanami Kaido

You can ride only part of the route depending on your stamina, and take a bus at the stops along the route or a ferry at the islands to enjoy the rest of the scenery. There are rest stops on each island along the route, providing drinking water, restrooms, air pumps, etc.

Biwaichi Cycling Course

Biwaichi cycling course encircles Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa, which is located in Shiga Prefecture, northeast of Kyoto. The route is about 193 kilometers long and usually takes you one to two days. Summer and fall are the best time to experience the Biwaichi cycling course.

It's a good idea to start your ride around the lake and back at Maibara Station, where bicycle rentals are available, and it's a 20-minute drive from Kyoto. Biwaichi cycling course has blue route lines, signposts, roadside stations and public restrooms all the way. It is flat with very little change in elevation, and professional cyclists who come here to challenge themselves can finish it in about 10 hours. If you're not doing the challenge, you can take your time and spend a wonderful 2 days, especially in the summer and fall, the lushness of the summer and the rich colors of the fall will delight you. You will also pass through the stunning Biwako Valley and Omi Merchants Cityscape. Nagahama town on this route is the perfect stopover for its hot springs, beautiful lakeside hotels and delicious food.

Fuji Five Lakes Cycling Course

Fuji Five Lakes cycling course at the northern base of Mount Fuji, is approximately 110 kilometers long and passes through the spectacular Lake Yamanakako, Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Shojiko, and Lake Motosuko. Most cyclists take the Lake Kawaguchiko as the start of the route and the Lake Motosuko as the end, and will complete it in one to two days. Spring and fall are perfect times to try the Fuji Five Lakes cycling course.

Fuji Five Lakes Cycling Course

Fuji Five Lakes cycling course has many rest stops along the way, offering a wide variety of snacks and beverages. The route is easy to ride with little elevation change, and given the length of the route and the scenery along the way that are worth spending time on, it is recommended to complete the route in 2 days. On your first day, you can start your ride at Lake Kawaguchiko, passing by the romantic and charming hydrangeas bloom and the magnificent Mt. Tenjo, and head towards the nearest Lake Yamanakako, which has a number of hotels nearby where you can stay overnight. On your second day, you can head towards Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko, passing through the beautiful Aokigahara Forest with lots of hemlock and cypress trees, and have a rest at the campgrounds near Lake Shojiko. The last ride is to Lake Motosuko, the best place to see Mt. Fuji. In spring and fall, the calm Lake Motosuko reflects Mt. Fuji like a huge mirror and such beauty is printed on the 1,000 yen bill.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and Nikko Discovery 5 DAYS Explore This Tour

Nichinan Coast Cycling Line

Nichinan Coast cycling line in Miyazaki Prefecture is nearly 52 kilometers long, stretching from Aoshima to Nango, with meadows, flowers, as well as rare rocky views along the way. Nichinan Coast cycling line takes about 3-4 hours with little elevation change and occasional steep slopes. Spring and summer are good times to experience this route.

Ice Supply Point on the Way

You will pass by the vibrant and pleasant meadow of the mountain of Cape Toi, where you can see Misaki-uma, the wild horses known as Japan's national treasure; and the Miyakoh Botanic Garden, where you can see hundreds of varieties of flowers and plants. In addition, the unique seaside rocky landscape along the route will surely surprise you. When the tide is low at sunrise or sunset, you will see a large area of rocks that look like washboards, known as Devil's Washboard, and the locals washed their clothes there in the past. When you finish the ride, you can enjoy Miyazaki beef, oysters, and wine at a local restaurant located just 5 minutes away from central Aoshima. After that, you can spare some time to visit the Aoshima Shrine, which is a favorite attraction of the locals, you can pray for good luck and join the love fortune-telling activity just like the locals do.

Shikanoshima Island

Shikanoshima Island is in Fukuoka Prefecture, you can take a 30-minute ferry ride from Hakata Wharf to Shikanoshima Island and start from a store on the island called Shikashima Cycle, where you can rent bicycles, and ride around the island and back. The route is about 10 kilometers and takes less than an hour. Summer is the best time for a relaxing bike ride on Shikanoshima Island, with clear and calm waters, cool sea breezes, and bright sunshine.

Coastal Scenery of Shikanoshima Island

Shikanoshima Island is flat and wide open, and while riding there you will pass by the stunning Katsuma Beach, and look out over the spectacular Hakata Bay and Genkai Sea. During the summer months, the weather on Shikanoshima Island is mostly sunny and the water is crystal clear, making for amazing seascape photos. If you are riding in the afternoon, you can also enjoy a romantic sunset. After the ride, you can visit the famous Shikaumi Shrine on the island, which is dedicated to the legendary god of the sea and has a collection of tens of thousands of antlers.

Tips for Cycling in Japan

• Don't park your bicycle in a non-bicycle parking spot for a long time. Bicycle rentals, rest stops, and attractions along the cycling routes all have areas for parking bicycles, however, if you are temporarily going to a roadside store or other places and need to park your bicycle in a non-bicycle parking spot, please be careful not to park for more than ten minutes to avoid getting a warning sticker.
• Please turn on your lights when riding your bicycle at night. It is important for your safety and the safety of others to turn on your lights for illumination and to attract the attention of pedestrians and vehicles. In addition, if you do not turn on your bicycle lights at night, you may be stopped by police.
• Ride on the left. When riding a bicycle in Japan, remember to ride on the left side of the road; it is against the rule to ride on the right side of the road.
• Take in food and water timely. Carry some energy bars, sandwiches, and drinks with you to prevent hypoglycemia and dehydration. Be careful, too, that you don't eat too much before the ride to avoid stomach upset.

Are you ready for a cycling tour in Japan? What cycling routes would you like to try the most? Let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.