A 2-Day, Full-Sensory Cycling Course through the Great Outdoors with Glittering Views of the Sea of Japan

The Kubiki Cycling Road stretches approximately 32 km from Joetsu City to Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture. This route along the sea offers stunning views of the Sea of Japan. On clear days, you can even see Sado Island and the Noto Peninsula. The path also follows the old track of the Hokuriku Main Line, where steam locomotives used to run, and features remnants such as brick tunnels scattered here and there, making it popular among railway enthusiasts. With well-placed signs and blue lines (indicating bicycle lanes), you can cycle safely and without getting lost.

There are various rest spots along this seaside route that hugs the road. Among them, the view from the small hill at "Tanihama Park" is breathtaking! It's located up a hill after turning left at the foundation of a brick bridge, so it requires a little extra energy, but the unobstructed view is more than a rewarding sight. The park has a wide area with playground equipment and a barbecue area, as well as well-maintained walking paths, making it a perfect place to stop off and relax if you have time.

There are many places to stop off and rest along the Kubiki Cycling Road, including benches, restrooms, and rest areas.
Near Arimagawa Fishing Port, there is the Arimagawa Fisherina Rest Building, where you can feel the welcome of a warm, wooden interior inside. The sea-facing side has large windows, allowing you to observe a snapshot of the fishing port. Although the route doesn't have many ups and downs, it's a long ride, so it's important to take regular breaks.

As you continue your journey with frequent breaks, you will start to see houses when you reach the Nadachi area. From here, you are close to "Michi-no-Eki Umiterasu Nadachi"! You can go out to Route 8 and cross at the traffic lights, but there is also an underpass, so make sure to use it.

Michi-no-Eki also functions as a cycling station, providing cycle stands, air pumps, and tools. The restaurant offers set meals and seafood bowls using fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and local vegetables. The market, which features local fish directly delivered from Nadachi Fishing Port, also has drinks and processed goods, making it perfect for an energy recharge. Among them, the "Ready-to-Eat Grilled Phantom Fish," which allows you to eat the phantom fish, a specialty of Itoigawa and Joetsu, as is, is a popular bite among cyclists.

Tsutsuishi, which lies approximately halfway along the Kubiki Cycling Road, is a historic town with a unique atmosphere, characterized by its traditional boat houses. Due to the limited land between the sea and the mountains, the town consists of narrow alleys lined with two to three-story wooden houses, making it a rare kind of village in Japan. True to its fishing village heritage, you can also find homes with sinks for processing fish. As the area is still inhabited, please push your bike and stroll quietly through the town.

About 6 km along the sea from Tsutsuishi, just when you start to feel tired, you'll come across "Michi-no-Eki Marine Dream Nou". This facility supports cyclists as a cycle station, while also houses dining and souvenir shops.
Another unique feature is the "Crab Alley" lined with crabs caught at Nou Fishing Port. As one of the largest red snow crab direct sales outlets on the Sea of Japan side, you can purchase red snow crabs, known for their soft texture and sweetness. Next to Crab Alley is the Crab Museum, where tables and hand washing facilities are always available, so you can savor the crabs you purchased right there.

Near the "Michi-no-Eki Marine Dream Nou", make sure to stop by Benten Rock, a symbolic feature of the Nosei coastline. It's believed to have been formed by an eruption of a seafloor volcano in the Fossa Magna, and the island is also home to Itsukushima Shrine, the guardian deity of the sea.

After rejuvenating yourself with some delicious crab, it's time for the final leg of the first day. Around Uramoto Station, crossing National Route 8, you’ll find a path with an up-close view of the Sea of Japan. Once you reach this point, you're almost there. As you pedal your bike, taking in the beautiful scenery and the scent of the tide, you'll arrive at the starting point (from the Itoigawa side) of the Kubiki Cycling Road.
After a quick stop in bliss, it’s time to set off again towards the Jade Coast. The jade from the Kotakigawa Jade Gorge in Itoigawa, a jade-producing region, is washed up on the coast, and if you're lucky, you might be able to find some. Above all, the sunset seen from here is extraordinary. It's the perfect spot to wrap up the first day.

If you want to enjoy the mountain scenery, head to Omachi City, which is also famous as the entrance on the Nagano side of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.
Once you get off at JR Shinano-Omachi, start cycling towards your first destination, "Nishina Three Lakes". First, head north on Prefectural Road 474, Prefectural Road 31, and National Route 148. About 15 minutes into your bike ride, you'll start to see fewer shops and houses, and you'll be able to enjoy a sprawling view of the mountainous region known as the Northern Alps of Japan on your left.
In spring, remnants of snow can still be seen, and in summer, the view is lush with greenery. Enjoy this dynamic scenery as you cycle along.

While enjoying the view of the Northern Alps, make your way to the first destination, "Nishina Three Lakes". It consists of three lakes: Kizaki Lake, Nakatsuna Lake, and Aoki Lake, connected by the Nogu River.
The first to appear is Kizaki Lake. This lake is popular for water activities, and the reflection of the mountains on the lake surface is captivating. Next, cycle along the lakeside of Nakatsuna Lake, which is in full bloom with Ooyama sakura in spring, and Aoki Lake, the deepest lake in Nagano Prefecture.

Next, head to Oyomi Wetland, which is located on the south side of the head of Hime River. From here, leave your bicycle behind and enjoy a short hiking break. You can stroll along the paved loop trail in about 20 minutes. Various wetland plants inhabit the area, and from May to September, a variety of flowers bloom. Please consider stopping by for a breather from cycling.

The route from Oyomi Wetland continues on a gentle downhill slope. This course, which descends towards Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture, can be relatively easy to cycle, but as it runs along a prefectural road with heavy traffic, careful cycling is a must. The road continues along the JR railway line, so the areas around major stations are lined with eateries. In particular, the area around Hakuba Station is perfect for strolling, with restaurants serving Nagano's specialty soba, and famous outdoor shops.
After exploring the area around Hakuba Station, head to "Oide Park," about 5 minutes from the station. Here, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Northern Alps, including Mt. Yarigatake, Mt. Shakushidake, and Mt. Hakuba, over a suspension bridge and the clear stream of the Hime River. The winter snowscape, and the contrast of the remaining snow on the mountains with the cherry blossoms in spring, provide a beautiful respite from your cycling exertion.

The next destination is "Chobo no Sato" (Scenic Village), where you can enjoy a breathtaking view from an altitude of about 1,000m. Descend along National Route 148 and cross Miyamoto Bridge, located past Minami-Otari Station, to enter the mountain road. Here you’ll find the one and only uphill road on an otherwise predominantly downhill course. With more downhill roads to follow, use your full power to take on this mountain road. After about 5km uphill, you will find the sign for "Chobo no Sato". From there, a panoramic view of the mountain range stretching from south to north unfolds, making you forget all the fatigue you've endured so far.

The "Hotel Kunitomi Annex", located near JR Himekawa, offers a bicycle storage service (limited availability) in their backyard, which is a relief. The hotel provides a relaxing atmosphere with rooms overlooking the clear stream of Himekawa, and is known for its dinners and breakfasts featuring fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and locally sourced mountain delicacies.
Moreover, the Itoigawa hot spring, which gushes out from 1,000 meters underground, is a high-quality sodium-calcium-chloride salt spring, and is said to be effective for fatigue recovery. Soothe your tired body after cycling and prepare for the second day.

Continue west on National Route 8, and you'll enter Asahi Town in Toyama Prefecture when you cross the Sakai River. From here, the Toyama Bay Cycling Course starts, which runs from Asahi Town to Himi City, a total distance of about 102 km. For this trip, you will leave the course around Iwase, almost halfway, and head for the final destination, Toyama Station.

Following the developed path of the Toyama Bay Cycling Course along the sea, the next destination is the "Spring Quartet" of Asahi Funakawa. This name refers to a scene where four elements - the snow-capped mountains of the Northern Alps, the cherry blossom trees along the Funakawa River, colorful tulips, and yellow blossoming rapeseed flowers - come together to create a symphony of spring. This spectacular sight, which can only be seen for a short period in spring, attracts tourists from all over the country.
The sight of 280 Somei Yoshino cherry trees blooming on both sides of Funakawa is like a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Let's park the bike and take a leisurely stroll.

After taking in the spectacular view, get back on the cycling course and restart your cycling journey. Spanning over Iwase town, Kurobe city, Uozu city, Namerikawa city, and Toyama city, you can enjoy pedaling briskly while gazing at the stunning sea, the mountains of the Northern Alps, and pastoral landscapes at times.

There are plenty of fun spots along the way, including roadside stations that also serve as cycling stations, amusement parks, museums, and seaside parks. Adjust your time allocation and stop by the places that catch your interest, fully enjoying your cycling journey in Toyama!

Head south from Iwase Canal Hall to Toyama Station. The original Toyama Bay Coastal Cycling Course continues along Prefectural Road No. 1, but let's proceed south on Prefectural Road No. 30. Enter the road diagonally to the right at Chiyoda Town intersection and go straight along Chiyoda Canal Park Line to reach Toyama Station, your goal.

Inside the station, there are restaurants where you can enjoy Toyama's cuisine, including stores offering crabs caught in Toyama Bay and specialty stores for Himi beef. There's also a marche that sells Toyama's staple souvenirs and local products, so immerse yourself in a sense of accomplishment while enjoying the charm of Toyama.