Tips for cycling in Japan

Road Conditions in Japan

Japan doesn’t have the same kind of network of routes that equate to the Eurovelo cycle routes in Europe, or even decided cycle lanes very often. While it’s possible to spend some time on routes like the Shimanami Kaido, if you want to see more of the country you’ll be spending a good amount of time on regular roads. Luckily they usually have pretty good shoulders and are in good condition.

As bikes can’t go on the highways, the only route is often over a mountain, but I’ve usually found these roads quiet, and the drivers pretty polite. Although occasionally old, I’ve found the road conditions in Japan really good, with few pot holes or anything to cause flat tires. In 5000kms I’ve only had two flats, and I’m pretty sure they were more valve related than a hole in the tube.

One of my favourite things cycling in Japan is that even in the cities cars can’t park on the side of the road wherever the want, so you don’t have to worry about car doors or people suddenly going for a parking spot.

Hokkaido

You can cycle around the coast of Hokkaido to see some spectacular views of the ocean, with some pretty flat roads. The biggest obstacles I faced up here were the number of tunnels, passing through multiple a day, many around 2 kilometres long, and the road between Hakodate and Sapporo being a bit of a nightmare. I found even the areas with hills were quite gradual most of the time.

Tohoku

A lot of steep roads between Tokyo and Aomori, though I found that they were quieter than expected as a lot of cars took the highways. 

Kyushu

A constant rollercoaster of going up and down hills. Compared to Hokkaido and Tohoku there was a lot more traffic, though in general I still found the cars pretty polite. In the centre near the national parks there were lots of overgrown closed roads, or sections collapsing off the sides of sheer faces.