My best routes
Many other articles out of this ranking can be seen in “Search by Area" or “Search by category“
- 1. Overall ranking
- 1.1. Izu Ohshima island cycling
- 1.2. Coast line, Akita~Sakata~Murakami
- 1.3. Toyama bay cycling
- 1.4. Shimanami sea route cycling
- 1.5. South-west Kii peninsula cycling
- 1.6. Kesennuma to Hiraizumi cycling
- 1.7. Maizuru~Amanohashidate~Kinosaki hot spring
- 1.8. Hirosaki to Fukaura-cho
- 1.9. Okayama to Himeji cycling
- 2. Foods & Drinks ranking
- 3. Cycling road ranking
Overall ranking
Izu Ohshima island cycling
The island is located only in 2hrs by ferry and about 50km way of the island one round is well suitable for cycling. There are many wonderful spectacles in each shore, and delicious local special foods, liqueurs and hot springs as well. It will be nicer to visit there with your colleagues.
Details in my article : Oshima 2 days cycling(D-8)
Coast line, Akita~Sakata~Murakami
Total 200km cycling course. Beautiful Mt.Chokai is visible from Akita to Sakata and the route runs between cliff and coast from Sakata to Murakami in which many faces of coast are visible. The route was very nice for cycling and of course, Sakata’s cuisine as well as this coast area are marvelous. I fell in love with the beauty of Mt.Chokai and coast line.
Detail in my article: Akita to Sakata cycling(B-14) and Sakata to Murakami cycling(B-15)
Toyama bay cycling
Toyama bay route from Himi city up to Uozu city serves one of the best scene in Japan. You can see 3000M height Tateyama mountain range spectacular view all the way over the bay as well as from the bay coast. Such place doesn’t exist in other areas. Besides the deep cold bay nurtures rich seafoods like famous firefly squid, white shrimps in spring. Of course agricultural products are also good since the land has rich clean water coming from the steep mountains.
And there are cycling roads along the bay coast all the way. So you can enjoy cycling safely with watching nice views and enjoying various kind of nice foods and drinks.
Details in my article: Toyama Tateyama mountain range(E-3)
Shimanami sea route cycling
Very famous Japanese cycling road. TTL 80km way including hill climbing to Kirosan Observatory. Sights from each bridge are spectacular. Roads on the bridge as well as normal roads on the islands are well designed for cycling. Sea foods in each end of the route are delicious. It’s far from Tokyo or Osaka, so better to keep a few days to fully enjoy the route.
Details in my article: Shimanami Sea Route(H-1)
South-west Kii peninsula cycling
It was 2 days cycling for me but I recommend the section from Arita river to Nachi-Katsuura, about 200km route along the intricated coast. The route was well designed for cyclists though there are many up & downs. Many unusual spectacles can be seen and the fresh raw tuna at the Katsuura city is the must to laud your effort. The only drawback is this place is too far from big cities.
Details in my article: F-4 Wakayama to Tanabe and F-5 Shirahama to Nachi Katsuura
Kesennuma to Hiraizumi cycling
Kesennuma is famous fishing port city which lands various kinds of sea foods like saury, oyster, squirt, etc.. It is 60km cycling from the city to Hiraizumi city in Iwate prefecture on a empty road along a big river. Hiraizumi city has many famous old temples with beautiful autumn leaves scene in Nov.
Details in my article: Kesennuma to Hiraizumi(B-5)
Maizuru~Amanohashidate~Kinosaki hot spring
Good fishes are landed from Fukui to north Kyoto area(Obama, Maizuru, etc.).I could enjoy those foods as well as spectacular view like Amanohashidate, one of the Japan’s 3 greatest scenery. And the old famous hot spring, Kinosaki hot spring is relatively near. Recently cycling road in this area is going to be well organized. You can enjoy many special views in Nihon sea coast.
Details in my article: F6 Wakasa bay to Maizuru【Day1】 F-7 Amanohashidate to Kinosaki hot spring【Day2＆3】
Hirosaki to Fukaura-cho
Hirosaki city, located in the foot of Mt.Iwaki has many traditional cultures like Neputa. It was nice to cycle in the apple orchards watching Mt.Iwaki. When you come to the coast, you can cycle on the single road along the scenic coast. On the mid way, there is a famous secret ocher colored hot spring. If you have enough stamina, I recommend you to go into Shirakami mountains to see 12 colorful lakes which I could not go to.
Details in my article: B-12 Hirosaki to Noshiro
Okayama to Himeji cycling
It’s 120km route from Okayama to Himeji. Though the cycling road was mostly on the normal National route-2, Seto inland sea side road was nice for cycling and there were many spots to visit. And sea foods and Japanese sake in this area(Banshu area) were very nice.
Details in my article: Okayama to Himeji cycling(G-6)
Foods & Drinks ranking
Niigata, Murakami city
Niigata prefecture is one of the best rice production area, so Japanese sake as well. Among many cities in Niigata, I recommend Murakami city which has traditional salmon cuisine and local beef which are not available so often in Tokyo area. You can enjoy rice, Sake, salmon, beef and of course fresh fishes.
Details in my article: Murakami salmon(E-7), Itoigawa to Naoetsu, Kubiki cycling road(E-5)
Shizuoka, Yaizu area
I can’t miss my birth area, Shizuoka. Like Toyama prefecture, it also has a deep bay which nurtures rare fresh fishes like “Shirasu" & “Sakura-ebi(shrimp)". Those rare ones are landed in a small ports along the Suruga bay coasts but relatively bigger Yaizu port is the Japanese No.1 port which lands Tuna. As there is my parents’ home there, I always enjoy those rare fishes in their seasons as well as tuna regardless of cycling. I didn’t introduce any Sake, but Shizuoka has many famous sakes like “Iso-jiman" which was served in 2016 Summit.
Details in my articles: Miho Matsubara Mt.Fuji view(D-1) , Suruga bay cycling(D-4)
Seto inland sea & Hyogo’s Japanese sake
Seto inland sea is famous for harvesting oysters thanks to its complicated cove terrain. And Akashi strait is famous for octopus as well as other many inshore fishes. In addition to that, the most suitable rice, “Yamada-nishiki" for Japanese sake is mainly made in Hyogo prefecture. I’m not sure that’s why but I was surprised to drink a rare brand “Kome-no sasayaki".
Details in my article: Okayama to Himeji cycling(G-6)
Miyagi, Kesennuma cuisine
Miyagi prefecture has many intricated rias coast lines which harvest very good oysters and inshore fishes like saury. Kesennuma is famous for those sea foods and of course you can enjoy many good Japanese sakes.
Details in my article: Matsushima to Kesennuma(B-4)
Toyama, Himi city
My most favorite prefecture other than my birth city, Shizuoka. It has very deep bay which nurtures very rare inshore fishes, shrimps. And due to very high mountains, it has very clear water which nurtures good rice and Sake. In addition to them, Himi city has a very famous Udon.
Details in my article: Toyama, Tateyama mountains range(E-3)
Fukui area, snow crab
Mikuni port in Fukui prefecture is a very famous for snow crab. It lifts the ban of fishing them in 1st week of November, so the season with cycling is very limited but it deserves to visit once at least. Of course this area is a good Japanese sake production area.
Details in my article: Kanazawa to Fukui(snow crab tour E-1)
Cycling road ranking
Kasumigaura cycling road
The best sacred place for cyclist in East Japan. One round 120~130km is well paved for cycling and mostly flat. I think here is the best place for just enjoying cycling at high speed. And you can go to Mt.Tsukuba through Rin-Rin road which is dedicated for cycling from Tsuchiura.
Details in my articles: Kasumigaura one round(C-1), Kasumigaura half round(C-1), Kitaura to Tsuchiura(C-1), Mt.Tsukuba hill-climb, RinRin road(C-13)
Shimanami sea route & Hamakaze sea route
It’s too famous to say something here. It’s around 70km for Shimanami and 50km for Hamakaze. Most part of this route is well designed for cycling like pic above though every time after crossing bridge, you have to bear up&down. The spectacle is also one of the best among all cycling roads.
Details in my article: Shimanami Sea Route(H-1)
Izu Oshima
Road around the island for 40km is not just for cyclist but the traffic is not heavy and the road is wide and well paved. And there are some up-downs, hill climbing course and mostly flat sea view roads. You can reach this island by high speed ferry from Tokyo. This is also the point.
Details in my article: Ohshima 2 days cycling(D-8)
Akita~Sakata~Murakami
This route is selected as overall ranking of mine but it is also selected as the best cycling road ranking. The road runs along the very rural coast, so there are very few signals and it’s not busy and relatively wide. Some up and downs with seeing many beautiful sights is also attractive for cyclists.
Details in my articles: Akita to Sakata cycling(B-14) and Sakata to Murakami cycling(B-15)
Tokyo area rivers(Arakawa/Edogawa/Tonegawa)
These 3 rivers in Tokyo area is good for cycling. Honestly other famous rivers in Tokyo like Tamagawa, Sumidagawa are not good for cycling. Especially I love Arakawa since the cycling road width is wider and better paved. Before going to local area, it’s good to practice cycling here.
Details in my articles: Arakawa(S-13), Edogawa(S-3), Tonegawa(D-6)
Hamanako-lake cycling road
I didn’t fully cycle one round but mostly its cycling road was well designed and there were some up & downs. You can enjoy cycling by watching lake view.
Details in my article: Hamanako-lake cycling(D-13)