Japan by Bike: Five Gentle Routes to Explore the Archipelago

Biking is the ideal means of transportation if you want to travel slowly while immersing yourself in the Japanese countryside. Numerous cycling routes are designed for this purpose, so there’s always time to explore. Here are the top five cycling routes to try, for a fully immersive experience in the heart of the Japanese archipelago.

Cycling routes through Izumo and the Oki Islands

In Shimane Prefecture, particularly in Izumo, there are numerous cycling paths for exploring the landscapes and cultural heritage at your own pace.

Those in a hurry can enjoy the beautiful « Enmusubi Kaido » trail, which connects Izumo to Matsue along Lake Shinji.

This route allows you to start in Matsue, enjoy an exhilarating cycle along Lake Shinji, and upon arriving in Izumo, take full advantage of Izumo’s attractions such as the Izumo Taisha Shrine and the Momen Kaido Cotton Route.

This route follows the Ichibata Electric Railway and, unique in Japan, allows you to take your bicycle on the train with a ticket.

For those with more time and looking for a true getaway, the coastal circuit located on the Oki Islands is a truly unique experience.

Designated a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2013 and composed of four inhabited islands and a multitude of islets, the Oki archipelago reveals a wild nature shaped by millennia of erosion, where sheer cliffs, rolling meadows, and rock formations line the coastline.

Routes through Niigata’s wide open spaces

Niigata Prefecture offers many charming cycling routes where you can fully enjoy its rich natural beauty and history.

One ​​of the most representative routes is the one to Sado Island, home to the Sado Gold Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.

Along this route, cyclists can observe the « Toki, » a previously extinct bird that was later reintroduced thanks to the efforts of the local population.

In the historic village of Shukunegi, visitors can discover the remains of a port that flourished between the Edo and Meiji periods thanks to the traffic of « Kitamae-bune, » traditional cargo ships that sailed along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan.

The unique landscape, with its tightly packed wooden houses, will give the impression of having traveled back in time.

Another important route is the « Snow Country Uonuma Golden Cycle Route, » which winds through the Uonuma and Yuzawa mountains in southern Niigata Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Visitors will enjoy the magnificent rural scenery and majestic mountains, typical of the beautiful Japanese countryside, while immersing themselves in the culture and climate unique to this snowy region.

Maki-dori Street in Shiozawa-juku, on Mikuni Road, is quite unique, as it has preserved the urban landscape of an Edo-period post town, with its arcaded buildings (a traditional architectural style characterized by overhanging roofs extending from the eaves of the houses).

It’s the perfect setting for an in-depth exploration of the traditional lifestyle and history of this region.

Temple-hopping in Nara

Cycling from temple to temple in Nara is a journey into the heart of Japan’s spiritual history in a setting where nature and architecture coexist harmoniously.

A 14km cycle route allows visitors to visit more than seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in the space of a day.

Upon arrival, the majestic Todai-ji Temple, home to the famous Great Buddha, stands out.

Passing under its immense gates, admiring the wooden structure, and visiting this spiritual site are highlights of the visit.

Leaving Todai-ji, the ride continues through Nara Park, populated by free-roaming deer, considered messengers of the gods, who accompany visitors to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.