Please click through the link at the title of each ride to see the map and GPS track at RidewithGPS. If you have a Garmin device you can download the GPS track -- follow the instructions at RidewithGPS. Or you can print out the Google Maps or mark the route on your own map.
[Note: RidewithGPS elevation profiles show rides as having MUCH greater climbing than is actually the case, often 2x or more than the actual climbing. So do not be discouraged from trying a ride because RidewithGPS reports that it involves 4000 or 6000m of climbing. It does not! That said, Japan is a mountainous country.]
This is a classic ride in Kanagawa Prefecture. If you take the route out of town along either One-Kansen or Yaen Kaedo described on our introductory page, that GPS track/map connects to this ride.
Around Lake Tsuikui and to Lake Miyagase, the most direct route is to take National Route 413, then head south on Route 412, before making a sharp right turn onto Prefectural Route 513. But I much prefer to avoid Routes 413 and 412 along the South side of Lake Tsukui. Instead, the GPS track heads around the North side of Lake Tsukui, then crosses a bridge and soon climbs up a hill on the South side of the lake, taking Prefectural Route 513. This adds some climbing, but the views and minimal traffic are usually worth it if you have the time.
Once you climb up to Miyagase Ko (something like 330m elev), I recommend pulling in to the area filled with restaurants and food stalls -- shown as a detour on the GPS track. In summer, you can cool down in a fine mist spray, and there is a nice variety of food available outside (grilled corn on the cob, yakitori) as well as restaurants. There is no convenience store on Pref. Route 70 to Yabitsu, though there are a few places selling food, and drink vending machines, near the top.
Shortly after you leave the Miyagase rest area, you make a right turn onto Pref. Route 70, which you take for almost 30 kms. After you pass the end of Lake Miyagase, you follow a very nice valley with a small river. For summer rides, there are some great swimming/cooling down holes along the way -- both "official" (with pay "camp" parking lots -- they will even charge bicycles) and other "unofficial" if you are willing to stash your bike in the bushes off the road.
The climb is very, very gradual the first half, then gradually gets steeper. There are 3-4kms of 7-8% grade, then a short very steep (10-15%) stretch about 3 kms before the top, then it flattens out again so you can race your fellow riders the last 1-2 kms to the finish. The top is approx 760m elevation.
The South side is a very sudden drop in comparison, and a very fun descent. On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji to the west, Izu, Odawara, the Sagami Bay, and the Miura Peninsula. There is a viewpoint and observation tower after about 200m elev of descent where the road makes a sharp turn.
Plenty of cyclists who live near the South entrance to Yabitsu use this hill for their regular climbing practice, and it is much more of a challenge than the gradual North approach.
The GPS track continues to Hadano Station, where you can put your bike in a rinko bag and return to Tokyo via the Odakyu Line.
Other alternatives include:
(1) turn around and go back over the pass and back the way you came,
(2) head back into town via Route 246 -- heavily travelled, but can be a fast return trip with a tail wind -- eventually shifting to Nakahara Kaido, which is a slightly better alternative on the stretches through Yokohama/Kawasaki, or
(3) continue heading South past Hadano and onward to hit the coastline near Ninomiya, then either East or West along the coastline, before hopping the Tokaido (or Yokosuka) Line back into town.
This is a longer ride, and from my house the round trip is 190 km or so. Of course, you can shorten it by almost 80 km if you take a train to/from Takao or another start location.
The GPS Track shown a start from Takao Station (Takao is the end of one of our recommended routes out of town), continues out National Route 20 over Otarumi Pass, then eventually turns left onto Prefectural Route 76 for a much quieter stretch of road over several small climbs and through a mix of forests and farmland. Then turn right onto Doshimichi (National Route 413), which is a mix of climbs, flat stretches and some short descents, as you gradually ascend a long valley. You will reach approx 700 meters elev. by the time you get to a traffic light where Pref. Route 24 heads off to the right, up over the ridge on the North side of the valley and down the far side of the ridge to Tsuru City. (This turn-off is a nice alternative if you do not have quite enough time to get to Yamanakako. From Tsuru City you can come back toward Tokyo via lightly travelled Pref. Route 35, parallel to Doshimichi -- described below -- or just continue down the hill to Otsuki and hop the Chuo Line home from there.)
Shortly after the traffic signal at Route 24, (assuming you stay on Doshimichi) there is a Daily Yamazaki convenience store on the left, and then a little further along a nice Michi-no-Eki (rest area). From the Michi-no-Eki it is a real climb of 8 of 9 km, up to the tunnel at the top, 1100m elev. at Yamabushi Pass (not to be confused with Yamabushi Pass in Chichibu, Saitama). Then there is a stretch of 4 km (and 100m elev. loss) down to the edge of Lake Yamanaka. Yamanaka-ko has plenty of facilities -- restaurants, convenience stores, pensions and hotels, etc. and a great view of Mt. Fuji.
On the return, once you get back to the tunnel at 1100m elev, the descent back down Doshimichi is very quick. The route shown on the GPS Track does not return via Route 76, but stays on Doshimichi to its end, then heads around Lake Tsukui on the main roads. You can head back into town on the routes via Yaen Kaido or Onekansen referenced from the introductory page.
This route includes the delightful stretch of short climbs on Pref. Route 76 south of Route 20, and a return stretch along lower Doshimichi. It is very similar to the trip to Yamanaka-ko above, except it is much shorter, as it cuts out the 60 km round trip from Route 76 to Yamanaka-ko and back, and instead turns left onto lower Doshimichi. The highest point is around 450m elev., so it is a good choice for cooler weather - late fall/winter/early spring.
This is an even shorter loop, starting from Takao and returning to the Lake Tsukui area, from which you can return via Yaen Kaido or One-kansen Doro.
It is a good choice for winter or when you have only a half day, that at least give one the feeling of having made it briefly beyond the edge of the Tokyo megalopolis.
The road shown on the GPS track along the North side of Lake Tsukui is numbered Pref. Route 513, but it is more like a forest bike/walking path at points. Only small/narrow body cars can pass, and it is rare you will see one. The very short climb from the bridge over Lake Tsukui through a collection of homes and up to his forest path ... is quite steep. Thanks to Hiroshi Koyama for showing P.E. this alternative.
Pref. Route 35 is a great road for cyclists -- very light traffic, forested hillsides, and a gradual climb up to the tunnel at Hinazuru Pass. What more could you ask for? The route is shown starting from Takao, and with an alternative approach that keeps you off of Route 20 to the extent practical.
Wada Pass is one of the classic nasty/short climbs of the Tokyo area. Would-be hill climb champions train and test themselves here, as they do on the South approach to Yabitsu. On the linked GPS track, the climb is shown using the "classic" alternative up Jimba Kaido. The usual measured uphill TT -- much of it 10-16% grade -- is the last 3.5 km, which climbs from 350 to 700m elev.
In any decent weather, you will see hikers at Wada Pass, headed to or from the summit of nearby Mt. Jimba, as well as other road cyclists. There is a small snack stand which used to be run by the 'witch of Wada Pass', but seems to have a new manager, perhaps her son, who is no quite as unfriendly to cyclists who sit on the bench and do not immediately buy something.
The GPS track also shows an alternative descent via the rindo (closed forest road -- a chain at a "Y" junction at around 400m elev). The rindo is actually my favorite way to go UP -- best with no traffic on the climb, plus you get an extra 30-40 meters elev. gain. But since it is a closed road, there is sometimes debris, so it is better to climb this route at slow speed than to descend it at high speed, hit a small rock, and blow your tire. There are 100-150 meters of very bad dirt/rock surface just at the top/rindo entrance from Wada Pass, but otherwise it is very nice smooth concrete.
The linked GPS track shows a trip from Takao to Wada, which runs through some hills and much greenery (some major cemeteries in the vicinity), but a more direct route from town would come/go straight along Jimba Kaido from/to Hachioji.
This route is another Wada Pass trip. The GPS track starts from Takao, goes up the rindo (forest road) approach, then over the top and down the back side of Wada (ura Wada).
From there, the easy loop is just stay on Pref Route 522 down the valley to Fujino, then take National Route 20 back over Otarumi Pass to Takao. You can see this on the Google Map, but the GPS track turns left and adds another climb we refer to as "Bijotani" (valley of the beautiful women), for the hot spring far down the South slope. This climb is not quite as long or steep as Wada ... but it is not so different either. And save a bit of energy to get back over Otarumi Pass on Route 20.
This route goes out from either Takao (or from Lake Tsukui as shown on the GPS track) to Uenohara then follows Pref. Route 33 (or a parallel road just across the valley -- shown on the GPS track), then climbs up Pref. Route 18, over Tsuru Pass (elev 875m), and down to Lake Okutama. Route 18 is has very little traffic, is nice in any season, and can be spectacularly beautiful with fall colors or flowering trees on the hillside in Spring. The GPS track shows a slight "detour" off of Route 18, that is both very scenic and skips part of the climb over Tawa Pass.
After the initial descent from Tsuru, there is a right turn to take the most direct "short cut" route over toward Lake Okutama, or go straight if you want to see the village of Kosuge, and try the day hot spring.
As you approach the first bridge you will cross over one of the fingers of Lake Okutama (at Km 59 on the GPS track), you can stop for lunch at Yakyutei (矢久亭) of some curried rice, udon, or other classic Japanese cafeteria foods. They are kind to cyclists, even if we need to hang a jersey damp with sweat in front of the stove to dry on a cold day.
You then return via National Route 411 to Oume, and via train (or bicycle) from there. Be sure to bring and turn on your red rear flashing light for the many short tunnels along Lake Okutama and on the early part of the fairly gradual descent toward Oume. If your feet are tired, you can stop for the special foot soaking hot spring -- just after you pass Okutama Station, bear right around the tunnel on Route 411 or you will miss the hotspring (as I always used to do). And don't bother taking the train from Okutama -- you can ride to Oume faster and get the fast train from there, and it is mostly downhill, after all.
Other variations would involve bearing to the left after the initial descent from Tsuru Pass, and eventually taking another left onto Route 139, and climbing Matsuhime Pass (elev. 1250) and down the south side to Otsuki/Sarubashi area, for train (or bicycle) from there home.
Rides 1 to 8 above all start from Takao or near Lake Tsukui to the south. Now we shift to some rides out of Itsukaichi -- about 10 km North of Takao. These head up the Akigawa, a very nice, compact river valley. These Akigawa ride GPS tracks start from Musashi Itsukaichi Station, reachable as described on our introduction/routes out of town page.
The Kobu Tunnel/Wada Pass loop is a great ride that includes plenty of hills and lets you feel you have really been into the country, and does not take us an entire day (if ridden at a good clip). We chose it for a recent reunion ride.
For P.E. when we ride out from Setagaya-ku, these rides typically involve a rest stop at the 7-11 in Tokura, 2.3 km west of Musashi Itsukaichi Station, toward the hills. From Tokura, you head up the Akigawa and make a left turn at the "T" intersection at Honjuku (or is it Motojuku?) after another 6.5 km. By turning left, you will be heading up the South Fork of the Akigawa. Less than 100 meters after the "Honjuku T" there are some stone steps that offer a path all the way down to the river (stream) below on the left, and a very nice little swimming hole where you can cool off before the climb if you are overheating on a summer day, and you can leave your bike leaning against the hillside out of view from the road.
It is about 8.5 km from the "T" intersection to another traffic light, where you will stay on Route 33 and turn left across the river and begin to climb up the hillside to Kobu Tunnel. (If instead you continue straight, you will be climbing toward Tomin-no-Mori and Kazahari -- next ride below). From this turn up to Kobu Tunnel is 3 km and approx 225 meters elevation gain, a climb at mostly 7-8% grade, more or less in some places.
Kobu Tunnel (actually 2 tunnels in a row) is fairly long, but roomy and almost no traffic at all. Once through, you start a descent into Uenohara that is varied -- some straightaway, many curves, a few places where the road narrows, some speed bumps to slow cars and grooves to aid turning in wet/icy weather. Even though traffic is light, as always be careful on the curves and check the mirrors that let you see around them!
Just before the very bottom of the hill, turn left and head up onto Route 522 for the most direct route to the western approach of Wada Pass. This takes you over the "Uenohara golf course hills" -- plenty of short and steep ups and downs, though it is at least easier in this direction than if you ride from Wada toward Kobu Tunnel!
(You can skip the "golf course hills" by continuing straight on Route 33 instead of turning left onto Route 522, and can take Route 33 all the way into central Uenohara, then take one of several other approaches to Wada Pass, or just take Route 20 straight back to Takao over much easier and lower Otarumi Pass. But what would be the fun in that?)
Stay on Route 522, including one left turn at a "T" intersection, until it meets Jimba Kaido (Route 521), the road over Wada Pass - 34.9km on the GPS track. Turn left and climb for 6 km, from 268 to 701 meters elevation, including plenty of stretches at a 10-15% grade. Longer, but not quite as steep as the "front" side of Wada, the lower part includes a very nice valley, with village houses, tea plants, etc., and the upper part offers a good view of Mt. Fuji on any clear day -- if you are not racing someone for the top, stop at the benches just above 600m elev, look behind you and get out your digicam.
From the top of Wada Pass, descent down the eastern side, either back to Takao or continuing straight toward Hachioji on Jimba Kaido (as shown on the GPS track, which ends where you cross the route out the Asagawa toward Takao).
Back in 2006 or so, we did this ride from Takao (in the other direction) in a group that included a "first time" member who had just moved to Tokyo and was eager to ride with us. It was the hottest day of the year, brutal conditions, and he suffered mightily on Wada, and walked a good distance up toward Kobu Tunnel. At a stop along the Tamagawa on the way home he was collapsed, taking fluids and trying to rehydrate in a shaded, open stairwell of a condominium building. In his honor, we now call this the "Paul Jason" route. If you start from Itsukaichi, it is the "reverse Paul Jason."
Another classic training ride for Japanese riders, this route leaves Musashi Itsukaichi and goes up the South Fork of the Akigawa, as with the ride above. But instead of turning left to climb up to Kobu Tunnel, you continue straight and climb up the river valley and beyond to the parking area at Tomin-no-Mori (the "People of Tokyo's Forest"), which is at almost exactly 1000 meters elevation and 29 km from Musashi Itsukaichi station. In nice weather you will see lots of Japanese riders passing you on their way back down as you climb -- people who live close by and ride this hill regularly on a weekend morning. Of course,
You can stop at Tomin-no-Mori, buy some udon or curried rice from the snack bar to eat on one of the benches outside then head back down the hill and home.
Alternatively, you can continue up a more gradual section to Kazahari Pass (approx elev 1140), and head over the top and down a really nice, fast descent to Lake Okutama (plenty of curves, but a road in excellent condition that allows high speed on at least some sections), stop at Yakyutei for a better and slightly wider variety of foods than you can find at Tomin no Mori, and head back to Oume down Route 411. This adds only another 10 km or so to the ride.
(Again, if you go back via Okutama-ko, be sure to have a good red flashing rear light for the many short tunnels on Route 411. From Oume, hop a train or follow the route back into town described on the introduction page.
At times there are motorcycles practicing their turns on the curves near the top of Kazahari ... though the police seem to shut them down. They can be noisy, but are used to many cyclists up there as well.
The GPS track shows the alternative return -- over the top of Kazahari, down to Okutama-ko, and then to Oume.
This is a shorter ride, when you have less time and still want to go a bit of the way up the Akigawa, and try a short steep climb other than Wada.
Head west from Musashi Itsukaichi the 8.8 km to the "T" intersection at Honjuku (Motojuku?). Turn to the right to start up the North Fork of the Akigawa. This road does not have any outlet, so traffic tends to be light. You may just want to ride up the beautiful valley along the river to the end of the paved road (about 10km) and then back. But the GPS track has a nice, little known alternative.
Only about 500 meters past the "T", and just before the road crosses a bridge to the other side of the North fork of the river, you bear left. There are signs for "Yamabiko no Taki" -- a waterfall, and there are some tourist places. As you climb away from the road, you will see parking space for hikers/tourists, but they are quickly left behind as the road becomes a narrow paved forest road, with some very steep sections. You can continue around 4.3 km to the top, which is above 550m in elevation. I have not been up this in quite awhile, but remember there was, indeed, a little teahouse, and there was a warm wood fire burning outside on a cold autumn day.
Another trip up the North Akigawa (right at the Honjuku/Motojuku "T" intersection), this is one of the steepest climbs in the entire Kanto area, as you head up through some villages clutching the hillside and then a forest road (rindo), to emerge at Kazahari Pass where you can lieft yoru bike between two guard rails and join the "main road" for the descent home -- not shown on the GPS track -- as if you had ridden to Tomin no Mori. Bring your compact crank or, better yet, triple, for lots of 20% grade, and plenty more 10-15%.
At about 19.2 km from Musashi Itsukaichi, the route up the North fork of the Akigawa will splinter. You bear to the left and go up one of the streams and start climbing, at times 10%+. After 2.1 km, there is a wide turn around area and a road the reverses in a "V" and heads up the real hill, and you will quickly find yourself at a 15% grade. Follow any signs to the Kinoko Center (mushroom [research] center???)
Unfortunately, Google maps shows this road ending at around 850m elev. In fact, it continues as a forest road up to Kazahari Pass (1140m). Don't miss the last 300 meters of climbing, as there are some nice views, and it is not quite as ridiculously steep as the middle section. In 2011, there has been major tree removal on the hillside below the road around 900-1000 meters elev., and it has been necessary to dismount and carry your bike through some heavy equipment. The last time I did it, it was lunch break and all the workers were asleep in the cabs of their trucks and bulldozers. Here is a GPS track of a ride which combines Nokogiri (the next ride below) and Kazahari Rindo, so you can see the full Kazahari Rindo route even after the Google maps road ends.
Nokogiri (translates as "cross cut saw") Mountain is a climb over the ridge between the North fork of the Akigawa and the wilder stretch of the Tamagawa, above Oume. You can start via either Oume or Musashi-itsukaichi and finish via the other. The GPS track shows the way starting from Oume.
Heading upriver from Oume, you can either take Route 411, or cross the rivers and take Yoshino Kaido about 14 km, as far as Kori, where Yoshino Kaido crosses the river and you join Route 411 again. The GPS track shows Yoshino Kaido.
The road to Nokogiri is a left turn off of Route 411, about 1.0 km past the intersection in front of Okutama Station, or 21.5km from Oume Station (via Yoshino Kaido route).
The road condition on the climb is poor at places -- there were some landslides on the North slope in 2010 but it was still passable, and there were some crumbling sections on the South side. Don't try this (or Wada, or Kazahari Rindo) when the road is wet. It is steep, and the top is almost 1000m elev. You may see a few hikers or trail runners working their way along the top of the ridge, but otherwise may have it all to yourself. There is a nice water hole at a small waterfall on the South side, I think about 2/3 of the way down the hill and just below a very short, primitive (i.e dark and poor road surface) tunnel. It can be very refreshing for a dip in the summertime.
_________________________________________________________
- Oume to Okutama (side routes along the way? - Nippara Kaido)
- Tsuru Tsuru Onsen/Umenoki Pass
- Okutama / Matsuhime Pass
- O-toge
- Sasago Pass, Kamihikawa Pass
- Oume to Yanagisawa Pass
- Chichibu -- Oume, Naruki Kaido, Naguri, Yamabushi/Shomaru/Karibazaka
- Chichibu -- Oume, Naruki Kaido, Naguri, Takedera, Nenogongen
- Chichibu -- Green Line
- Through to Karuizawa via Rte 299 (Jukkoku Toge/Sakudaira alternative)
- Winter cycling -- Miura Peninsula
- West Izu -- Mishima to Shimoda
