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
Cycling Journey Through Wakayama
– A 3-Day, 2-Night Adventure Around the Mountains and Sea (Part 2)

On the second day of our ride exploring Wakayama’s sea and mountains, we chose an early departure at 6:30 a.m., taking into account the ferry schedule for our return trip. It was a ride to be enjoyed only during the cool morning hours before the sun unleashed its full intensity. In contrast to the deep greens of Day 1, today awaited an encounter with Wakayama’s proud azure seascapes. Text_Ryuji IsePhoto_Tatz Shimizu Day 2: Spectacular Coastal Route — Along the Ria Coastline and to the White Limestone Cliffs Route OverviewStarting Point: Haman no IeRoute: Head north along the coastline toward Shirasaki → descend inland southward toward Mihama Town → Kii Hinomisaki Lighthouse → follow the coas […]

#Cycling
FEATURE TRIP&TRAVEL
Tokyo old town bicycle stroll #03
Kanda Matsuri – Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Kanda, Akihabara –

Born and raised in Kanda, Tokyo, I go by the name Shitamachi Kombu. It’s been nearly half a century since I came into this world. Today, I took a ride through the Kanda Matsuri—Kanda area’s largest festival, held once every two years—using a docomo share bike. This festival is one of the three great festivals of Edo, dating back to the Edo period, and is sometimes counted among Japan’s three major festivals. The sky today is a perfect May blue—ideal weather for cycling. If you have a moment, come along with me for the ride. Table of Contents Charging up that Edo spirit in NihonbashiSoaking in Meiji Era vibes at Tokyo StationA detour to Akihabara, the mecca of otaku cultureKanda, […]

#Matsuri #Soba
FEATURE TRIP&TRAVEL
Breezing Through Setouchi in Ehime ＃04
Brought to you by Jeremy, an immigrant from the U.S.A. To the westernmost tip of Ehime!
A straight coastal and fish ride along the Setokaze Kaido

This route, the Iyonada-Sadamisaki Seto Seaside Cycling Course, traverses a mountainous peninsula heading towards the most western point of Ehime and may be a bit of a challenge for some, but if you are a true masochist like me, why not try it during the summertime! Now, I’m of course not trying to discourage anyone from experiencing the excursion (it was a fun ride) but I must say that the time around July and August should probably be reserved for diehard cyclists of which I am no longer sure I’m a part of. In the end though, I survived riding over 80 kilometers in the heat of August. And I’d do it again, Table of Contents 　1. The Starting Point, Shiosai Park　2. Futami Roadside Station　3. […]

#Sada Misaki