In August 2026, Niseko Discovery Cycling, a fun ride event in Hokkaido, took place around the same time as the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. In this report, we follow Mei, a cyclist who spent years enjoying the cycling lifestyle in Australia, a country with a thriving cycling culture.

What breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences awaited her on this fun ride through Hokkaido’s magnificent natural landscapes?

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Even now, as the first signs of autumn begin to appear, I often find myself thinking back to this summer in Niseko.

In August 2026, I took part in the 100 km course of Niseko Discovery Cycling as a guest rider. Looking back, it was a truly special day spent in Niseko, a town buzzing with excitement as it hosted the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

Text＆Photo_Mei

Niseko Discovery Cycling 2026

Event Date	Saturday, August 29, 2026
Location	Niseko Area, Hokkaido, Japan (Start & Finish: Hirafu, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido)
Courses	100 km Lake Toya Course / 65 km Rusutsu Course
Estimated Riding Time	100 km: 4–5 hours at an average speed of 20 km/h / 65 km: 3–4 hours at an average speed of 14 km/h
Eligibility	100 km: Ages 12 and up / 65 km: Ages 6 and up
Capacity	300 participants per course
Entry Fee	100 km: ¥14,500 / 65 km: ¥9,500 (plus a separate registration system fee)
Official Website	https://nisekodiscoverycycling.com/en

*Information as of August 2026.

Contents
1. Setting Off from Hirafu Slope with Riders from Around the World
2. A Hilly Course and the Joy of Riding in a Group
3. Lunchtime by the Beautiful, Tranquil Lake Toya
4. Riding with Ivan Basso: A Special Experience Unique to This Year
5. Lily Bulb Croquettes and the Ride Back Toward Mount Yotei
6. From the Final Aid Station to the Finish Line
7. Until Next Year, at the Foot of Mount Yotei

1. Setting Off from Hirafu Slope with Riders from Around the World

The starting venue was buzzing with excitement from early in the morning. At the center of the crowd were Ivan Basso, a two-time overall winner of the Giro d’Italia, and Fran Contador, the older brother of Alberto Contador. The two are also business partners behind the bicycle brand AURUM.

This year felt especially significant, as the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships were being held in Asia for the first time. Even before setting off, I could sense that this was going to be a special experience. Looking around, almost everyone seemed to be a rider from overseas. With so many different languages being spoken, it was easy to forget that we were actually in Japan.

Our meeting point was Gondola Slope in the Hirafu area. Lining up beneath the large start-and-finish gate used for the World Championships made me feel, just for a moment, like a UCI racer myself. Mount Yotei towered majestically in front of us, filling me with excitement before the ride had even begun.

In August, Kutchan has an average temperature of around 20°C, with daytime highs typically reaching about 25°C, making it far more comfortable than Tokyo at the same time of year. Best of all, there’s none of the sticky humidity—just pleasantly dry, refreshing air.

That morning, Mount Yotei was shrouded in mist, but by the time we started at around 9 a.m., the skies had cleared. Even in the sunshine, I didn’t feel sticky with sweat, and the breeze felt wonderfully refreshing. It was a perfect day for a 100 km ride.

While waiting for the start, I had a lovely encounter with a rider from Australia who came up to me and said, “I watched your YouTube video of you cycling around Niseko, and it inspired me to sign up for this event!”
(You can watch my video of riding the event route here.)

2. A Hilly Course and the Joy of Riding in a Group

The concept behind this event is “a cycling event that connects towns and communities, letting riders explore as though they were on a journey.”

This year marked the event’s second edition. With the routes changing each year, participants have the opportunity to discover spectacular scenery across different parts of the Niseko region. The inaugural event in 2025 featured the Shakotan and Yoichi courses, while the 2026 edition offered the Lake Toya and Rusutsu courses.

As I rode along, I found myself joined by a woman visiting from Moscow, Russia, and her fellow riders. Our shared love of cycling was all it took to spark a lively conversation. I also chatted with local cyclists living in Niseko as we pedaled along with the other participants, enjoying the magnificent views of Mount Yotei.

At the first aid station, I took a short break to enjoy Niseko’s famous miso manju (sweet buns made with miso) and had a commemorative photo taken with Ivan Basso.

Then, with Mount Yotei behind us, we began a long climb. Niseko is known for its rolling, hilly terrain, making this a course that offers plenty of rewarding challenges for cyclists.

At the second aid station, I enjoyed a chocolate-flavored treat from Wakasaimo Honpo. It had a soft, moist texture similar to a sweet potato dessert and is apparently a well-known confection in Hokkaido. Even during the break, the conversations with riders from overseas continued.

In the lead group I was riding with, we called out to one another, “Let’s go together!” when it was time to set off again, and resumed the ride as a group. That sense of togetherness gave me the motivation I needed to tackle the next climb.

3. Lunchtime by the Beautiful, Tranquil Lake Toya

After riding for a while, we spotted the hotel that hosted the 2008 G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, perched high on a mountain. I was amazed to see a hotel built at such an elevation.

Continuing on, we finally arrived at Lake Toya. The water was calm and incredibly beautiful, and one of the highlights of this course is being able to cycle right up to the lakeshore.

We pedaled comfortably along the gentle curves of the lakeshore. Riding beneath the trees, with glimpses of the lake beside us and sunlight filtering through the leaves, I felt a wonderful sense of calm.

I’ve heard that some people from overseas who love Japan find this dappled sunlight particularly special, even referring to it by the Japanese word komorebi. It’s a reminder that scenes we might take for granted can appear extraordinary through the eyes of someone from another country.

When we arrived at an open area by the shores of Lake Toya, it was finally time for the lunch I’d been looking forward to. The menu offered plenty of choices, including an onigiri (rice ball) set, green curry, spicy keema curry, and taco rice.

After some deliberation, I went for the spicy keema curry, having been warned that it was quite hot. For some reason, summer always makes me crave spicy food. The curry certainly delivered on the heat and was a thoroughly satisfying meal.

4. Riding with Ivan Basso: A Special Experience Unique to This Year

The second half of the ride began with another climb. From here, everyone rode at their own pace, and I tackled the ascent alongside a female cyclist I’d befriended earlier that day.

Those who reached the top first waited for the others, creating a wonderful sense of camaraderie. Even though we’d only just met that day, it felt as though we were all part of the same team.

But what made the experience truly special was getting to ride right behind a Giro d’Italia champion. Ivan Basso and Fran Contador were both incredibly friendly and approachable. They happily posed for photos with us and shared stories about cycling culture in Spain and Italy.

I learned that the number of female cyclists is growing in Europe, and it made me hope that cycling will become even more popular among women in Japan, too.

5. Lily Bulb Croquettes and the Ride Back Toward Mount Yotei

As Mount Yotei came back into view, growing larger on the horizon, I could feel that we were returning to Niseko. Cycling through the vast fields stretching out all around us was an incredibly refreshing experience.

At the next aid station, we were treated to lily bulb croquettes and large, juicy plums. It was my first time trying a lily bulb croquette, and I loved its smooth, slightly chewy texture. It was similar to a potato croquette, but with a unique consistency that made it especially interesting. When I heard they were also sold at a local roadside station, I decided to pick some up on my way home.

6. From the Final Aid Station to the Finish Line

Riding along a road through the fields, with an unobstructed view of Mount Yotei, we arrived at the final aid station. I refreshed myself with some juicy cherry tomatoes, knowing the finish line was now just a short distance away. It was time to refocus and gather my energy for one last push.

The final challenge was the hill in Hirafu. Summoning every last bit of energy, I pushed my way to the top and crossed the finish line!
With 100 km of riding and 1,446 meters of elevation gain behind me, I couldn’t help but smile with a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

After the finish, we also had the special opportunity to get Ivan Basso’s autograph and take a commemorative photo with him.

7. Until Next Year, at the Foot of Mount Yotei

It was refreshing to see just how international Niseko’s cycling events have become. Rather than competing for speed, participants can ride at their own pace, as though embarking on a journey, enjoying the local food, beautiful scenery, and encounters with people along the way. I think that’s what makes this event so special.

This year, the 100 km Lake Toya Course was estimated to take 5–6 hours at an average speed of 20 km/h, while the 65 km Rusutsu Course was estimated to take 3–4 hours at an average speed of 14 km/h. By choosing a course that suits their abilities, even first-time participants can fully enjoy the experience.

Niseko is already a world-renowned resort destination that attracts visitors from around the globe. English-language information is widely available, and many shops and accommodations have English-speaking staff. The event’s official website also has an English version, making Niseko an accessible and welcoming destination for international visitors planning a cycling trip to Japan.

The next edition is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2027, in early summer. Since mornings and evenings can still be chilly, bringing a lightweight windbreaker is a good idea. The organizers are planning to introduce a new course based on their experiences from previous events, and I can’t wait to see what the route will look like!

I’m already looking forward to the day when I can ride alongside so many fellow cyclists again at the foot of Mount Yotei!

Profile

Mei
Cycling Guide / Content Creator / MAAP Ambassador
A cyclist with 10 years of experience, Mei spent a year living in Melbourne, Australia, and is now based in Osaka and Hokkaido. She works as a cycling guide for international visitors and is also involved in promoting cycle tourism in Niseko.
On her YouTube channel, Mei-san no Yakata, she shares her cycling lifestyle through videos featuring early-morning rides, café rides, and more.

Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/meisan_no_yakata/
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@meisan_no_yakata

投稿日：2026.11.09