Grobal Ride

CLOSE
JP EN

Tsuchiura Ride
Lotus fields, shoreline ride, and a comfortable stay

Located in Ibaraki prefecture, starting from Tsuchiura at the western side of Japan’s second biggest lake Kasumigaura, lies a cycling course that will take you along 125km of beautiful scenery and well maintained path.

Bring your own bicycle (1hr 16min from Tokyo station on the Ueno-Tokyo / Joban line) or rent from the conveniently located Le Cyc which offers a wide range of bicycles and gear.

The station itself is quite bike friendly with ‘Ring Ring Square” which includes showers; lockers; changing rooms; and parking.

For this ride we’ll take the shorter version: 90km (by crossing the bridge and cutting across the lake, instead of fowling around at the top).

There are plenty of places to take a rest or pump up your tires (including 300 support stations which provide either: pumps; racks; or even tools).

The shared riding paths are for cyclists and cars, be sure to expect some cars along the way.

Riding alone the shoreline of the lake you will also see fields of renkon (lotus root) and rice, some fishermen, and of course places to stop and grab something to eat. Today, we will be stopping at Kasumi Kitchen.

Kasumi Kitchen is located at about 19km from the starting point near Tsuchiura station. They provide healthy meals made with ingredients provided by local merchants. The sweet potato is highly recommended (and the sweet potato brûlée which is served in the colder months). They also offer a wealth of local goods, from craft beers to sweets.

Another great stop is at Miho Weekend Cafe, which serves great dishes and coffee for those looking to take a break. The warehouse turned cafe has a large seating area and bike racks out front.

If you’re looking to stay overnight, the BEB5 Tsuchiura from Hoshino Resorts hotel provides a comfortable place to stay with your bicycle (in your hotel room); tools for maintenance; and everything bicycle themed. It’s a place you wish was nearby other cycling locations in the country too.

Text＿Caroline McCurdy

Caroline M.

From Melbourne, Australia. Caroline moved to Japan in 2013, working as a designer and model. She enjoys cycling in her free time : exploring the streets of Tokyo;  and across the country to see the best cycling locations in Japan.

Post Date：2023.08.04

Category

Tag

#Akafuku

#Aomori Museum of Art

#Brewery

#Bubble Gum

#Hirosaki Civic Hall

#Hirosaki Jyo

#Hirosaki Kouen

#Hokusai

#Honjyo

#Isuzu Gawa

#Jeremy Kicher

#Kussharo Ko

#Memanbetsu Airport

#Nebuta

#Neputa

#Ringo

#Sarutahiko Jinja

#Sumida Hokusai Art Museum

#Takara Bridge

#Yoshitomo Nara

All Tags
TRIP&TRAVEL
Pedaling Through Hokusai’s Eyes:
A Journey Across the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji #2

The second installment of a cycling journey tracing the landscapes of Katsushika Hokusai’s Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (in fact, forty-six works in total) by one of Japan’s most celebrated ukiyo-e artists. In the previous article, we introduced a cycling route around Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture, located at the very foot of Mount Fuji. This time, our journey skips over Kanagawa and Tokyo from Shizuoka, landing in Chiba Prefecture.The main highlight is “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” the iconic face of “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.” To capture both the seas off Kanagawa and Mount Fuji together, the perspective must come either from above Tokyo Bay or from the Chiba side. In this cycl […]

#Chiba #Gourmet
FEATURE TRIP&TRAVEL
Breezing Through Setouchi in Ehime
Navigated by Jeremy from the U.S
＃02 Getting Your Feet Wet in Ehime with the Shimanami Kaido

When it comes to cycling across Japan, Ehime prefecture should be part of anybody’s bucket list. From mountain to inland sea, there is plenty to see and do while cruising along one of the multitudes of well-planned routes crisscrossing the island of Shikoku’s northwestern side. First let’s take a ride through one of the most sought-after destinations for cyclists across the world over, the Shimanami Kaido. For hardcore folk, the entire ride is about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) but for the purposes of this article we’ll only be going as far as the border to Hiroshima prefecture on the Honshu-side of the Setouchi sea, split between two relatively leisurely afternoons. Table of Contents 　1 […]

#Shimanami
TRIP&TRAVEL
Through the Heart of Hokkaido:
Furano & BieiCycling with the Tokachi Mountain Range and Local Gourmet Delights

As spring approaches in Hokkaido, why not set out on a ride from Asahikawa through the rolling hills of Biei to Furano? With the majestic Tokachi Mountain Range as your backdrop, this cycling route takes you past expansive fields and flower farms, with stops at popular sights along the way. It’s a luxurious experience where ever-changing landscapes and local food culture can be enjoyed all at once. Visit iconic spots such as the Seven Stars Tree and Shikisai no Oka, sample regional sweets en route, and make your way toward the final destination of Furano. This is a ride that fully immerses you in both the scenery and flavors of Hokkaido—an ideal way to experience the region by bike. Table of […]

#Furano