Tour the Nagano Countryside by Bicycle

Nagano’s train lines and expressways are convenient ways to get around, but almost too convenient. By touring around on bicycle, you can experience the rural sights and sounds that you would otherwise miss if by train or car. And with bike trails and rental cycle shops having easy train access, cycling is an ideal way to see more of Nagano. Just remember – the most important part of cycling is to get off the bike – stop to meet shop owners, check to see what a farmer is raising, and wonder at the mysticism of that local shrine or temple.

Top Selection of Rental Bikes to Explore Iiyama and the Vast Shin-etsu Shizenkyo

At the Shin-etsu Shizenkyo Activity Center inside the Iiyama Shinkansen station, not only do they offer the widest variety of rental bikes but they also provide tour packages such as cycling the Chikuma River Bike Path, stopping for a cyclists-only parfait, ending at an onsen bath house before taking a local train back. Another popular route is the 16.7 km (4 hours) course up to the hot spring village of Nozawa Onsen.

Shin-etsu Shizenkyo Activity Center

Location: Iiyama Station 1st Floor
Bike Rental Fee: From 1,000 yen for 2-hour city bike to 4,500 yen for full day road bike or electric cross bike
Website: https://shinetsu-activity.jp/cycling/en/

Cycle Around Lake Nojiri for Unsurpassed Scenery and Gourmet Eateries

From Kurohime Station, hop on an e-bike for the 20 km (2 hours) loop around picturesque Lake Nojiri. Enjoy stunning vistas of the Northern Nagano 5 Peaks as you cruise the ups and downs of the lakeside road. Stop along the way at one of the many gourmet restaurants and take a photo with one of the Naumann Elephant statues.

Shinshu-Shinano Town Tourism Association

Location: Inside Kurohime Station
Bike Rental Fee: From 1,000 yen / hour for e-bikes
Closed: Wednesdays
Website: https://chari-tabi.jp/en/#area-shinanomachi

Ride the Foothills of the Northern Japanese Alps in Hakuba

Hakuba Valley may be most famous for epic powder winter skiing, but it is increasingly becoming a year-round destination. With the nearly 3000-meter tall Hakuba Range as a backdrop, Hakuba offers several stunningly scenic cycling routes. The 27.3 km Hakuba Highlights course takes in such spots as the Hakuba Roadside Station, Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium and the Hime River Headwaters Nature Park. SNS-viral Oide Park and the picturesque Three Lakes of Nishina and more await on other courses. And for the off-road enthusiasts, there are renowned MTB parks, too. Several outdoor outfitters in Hakuba offer bike rental, but the most convenient is Ojisan no Mise.

Ojisan no Mise

Location: Next to Hakuba Station
Bike Rental: City bikes and e-bikes.
Website: https://www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/hakuba-cycling/en/rental/uncles-shop/

g Website: https://www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp/hakuba-cycling/en/

Countryside and Riverside Riding with Onsen Finale: Chikuma and Vicinity

The Ueda – Chikuma – Nagano Bike Path follows the Chikuma-gawa, Japan’s longest river, for 23.3 km. At the midpoint is the onsen town of Togura-Kamiyamada (closest station: Togura) from which radiate a variety of marked cycling routes. The Chikaraishi Loop Course is a 9.3 km (110 min.) ride through the bucolic countryside including quiet neighborhoods, an ancient thatched-roof temple, apple orchards and rice paddies. Or take the bike path downriver to historical Inariyama, making sure to stop at Takemizuwake Shrine for uzura-mochi sweets on the way back. Then finish with an onsen soak.

Rental bikes available with the Ueda and Chikuma City shared bikes or Zukudashi Eco Tours.

Zukudashi Eco Tours

Location: In Togura-Kamiyamada
Bike Rental Fee: Cross-bike from 1,000 yen
Website: https://www.zukudashi.com

Cycling in an Air of Luxury at the Resort Town of Karuizawa

At an elevation of 1,000 meters, Karuizawa is a refreshingly cool summer getaway for Tokyoites. Full of enticing museums, boutique shops and scenic lakes, the resort town is perfect for a leisurely bike ride. Several shops rent bikes including some within walking distance of Karuizawa Station. Many also have tandem bikes, for a memorable ride with that special person.

Karuizawa Website: https://karuizawa-kankokyokai.jp/en/

Azumino: Wasabi Fields, Rice Paddies and Museums in the Shadow of the Alps

Azumino is a wide basin at the base of the Northern Japanese Alps, laced with crystal clear streams that feed a patchwork of wasabi fields and rice paddies. Popular for leisurely touring, it is also home of the annual Azumino Century Ride. The world-famous Daio Wasabi Farm is an easy bike ride from Hotaka Station.

Recommended routes include:

Azumino A Course (31.3 km 4 hrs): Daio Wasabi Farm – Rokuzan Art Museum – Swiss Village – Cycling Square – Roadside Station Alps Azumino
Azumino C Course (32 km, 4 hrs): Ariake Shrine – Alps Azumino Park – Azumino Mountain Art Museum – Jansem Museum – Shakunagenoyu (day-trip onsen bath house).

Two rental shops across the street from Hotaka Station, with prices from 200 - 300 yen / hour.

Shinanoan

Website: https://shinano-an.com/ (Japanese)

Hitsujiya

Website: https://www.hitsujiya-azumino.com/%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AB-%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC (Japanese)

Alternative: Hello Cycling shared bikes

Location: Various
Website: https://www.hellocycling.jp/station/nagano/%E5%AE%89%E6%9B%87%E9%87%8E%E5%B8%82 (Japanese)

Hop on a Shared Bike to See Matsumoto Beyond its Castle

Matsumoto is famous for its national treasure castle – and rightfully so. But the city has a lot more to offer, many of which aren’t within walking distance of the city center. Fortunately, there is Hello Cycling – electric-assist shared bikes stationed throughout the city.

Recommended routes include:

City Center Course (9.2 km, 2 hrs): Matsumoto City Museum of Art – Agatanomori Park – Former Kaichi School – Matsumoto Castle
Film Location Course (21.8 km, 2.5 hrs): Mt. Kobo (famous for cherry blossoms) – Agatanomori Park – Joyama Park – Former Kaichi School – Matsumoto Castle
Scenic Highlights Course (30.4 km, 3 hrs): Mt. Kobo – Utsukushigahara Hot Springs – Biwa no Yu (day-trip bath house at Asama Hot Springs) – Alps Park – Former Kaichi School – Matsumoto Castle

Pro tip: The Japan Ukikyo-e Museum is an easy bike ride from downtown.

Hello Cycling shared bikes

Location: Various
Website: https://www.hellocycling.jp/station/nagano/%E6%9D%BE%E6%9C%AC%E5%B8%82

Alternative: Nakamachi Shopping Street Promotion Association

It has bikes for rent that don’t require downloading an app.
Location: 15 min. walk from Matsumoto Station
Website: https://nakamachi.org/en/access#link-7

From the Majestic Lake to Panoramic Highlands, with Venerable Shrines in Between: Suwa Beckons

Leave your stress-filled daily life behind and go for a bike ride around the majestic Lake Suwa – Nagano’s largest lake. The 16.7 km lakeside bike path can be circled in 80 minutes. For the more adventuresome, try the ride up to Utsukushigahara Highlands (66.2 km, 6.5 hrs) or the vigorous hill climb to Takabotchi (40.9 km, 4.5 hrs). In between are the venerable Grand Shrines of Suwa, befitting of a spiritual pilgrimage ride (34.9 km, 3 hrs 40 minutes).

Activity Base Cogue

Location: On the shores of Lake Suwa, an 11-minute walk from Kamisuwa Station.
Bike Rental Fee: From 800 yen / hour
Website: https://ab-cogue.com/bicycle-rental/ (Japanese)

Alternative 1: Okaya City Tourist Information Center

Location: Adjacent to Okaya Station (bike rental from 500 yen / day)

Alternative 2: Konjakukan Oideya, Clock Museum

Location: 11 min. on foot from Shimosuwa Station
Website: https://konjakukan-oideya.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/oideya_English.pdf

Option

Grav Bicycle Station in nearby Tatsuno Town has a wide selection of touring bikes for rent, and several course recommendations including the most popular which travels the old Nakasendo samurai trail.
Website: https://gravbicycle.com/station/ (Japanese)