In Nagano, as in many other parts of Japan, you’ll find yourself taking a mix of shinkansen bullet trains, local trains and buses as you move from sight to picturesque sight. And at some point, you may even rent a bike to bridge the gap between the nearest station and your destination.

But cycling isn’t just another tool in your transportation utility belt, it’s an experience all its own. It’s a magnifying glass that brings part of Japan in to focus that you would have never noticed before. An opportunity for your curiosity to lead you to places you didn’t expect to find. And a great excuse for an extra snack or two.

Here are some of Nagano’s most accessible and picturesque cycling locations.

Explore Iiyama and the Vast Shin'etsu Shizenkyo

At the Shin'etsu Shizenkyo Activity Center inside the Iiyama Shinkansen station, you can choose from a wide variety of rental bikes as well as cycling tour packages. Cycle along the Chikuma River, pass flowering fields of bright Nanohana flowers, have a snack at one of Iiyama's patisseries or cafes, and finish with a relaxing onsen bath before heading back. Popular routes include the 16.7 km (4 hr) course up to the hot spring village of Nozawa Onsen as well as the 32.5 km (5 hr) course to Sakae Village.

Rental Shops

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 hr) loop around picturesque Lake Nojiri. Enjoy stunning vistas of Northern Nagano's Five 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.

Rental Shops

Shinanomachi Tourist Information Center
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

The Hakuba Valley may be most famous for its epic powder skiing in winter, but it is increasingly becoming a year-round destination. With the nearly 3000-meter tall Hakuba Range as a backdrop, Hakuba offers several stunning 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. Idyllic Oide Park, 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.

Recommended Cycling Routes

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

Rental Shops

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/

Follow the Chikuma River Cycling Road to Quiet Temples and Hot Springs

Stretching for 47.5 km along the Chikuma River, the Chikuma River Cycling Road connects the cities of Nagano, Chikuma and Ueda.  At the midpoint of the road around the onsen town of Togura-Kamiyamada (closest station: Togura), a variety of marked cycling routes radiate out into the countryside and nearby mountains. 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.

Rental Shops

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

Cycling through 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 someone.

Recommended Cycling Courses

Karuizawa Cycling Courses: https://visitkaruizawa.com/en/spot/cycling/

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

Meander through Wasabi Fields, Rice Paddies and Museums in Azumino

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 Cycling Routes

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).

Rental Shops

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

Shinano-an
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)

Hello Cycling (Share 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.  Explore the many sightseeing spots, parks and hot spring areas beyond central Matsumoto City by bicycle. For rentals, Hello Cycling offers shared e-bikes stationed throughout the city.

Recommended Cycling Routes

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

Option: The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is an easy bike ride from downtown.

Rental Shops

Hello Cycling (Share Bikes)
Location: Various
Website: https://www.hellocycling.jp/station/nagano/%E6%9D%BE%E6%9C%AC%E5%B8%82

Nakamachi Shopping Street Promotion Association
Details: 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

Pedal around Majestic Lake Suwa to Venerable Shrines and Panoramic Highlands

Leave your stress-filled daily life behind and go for a bike ride around the majestic Lake Suwa, Nagano’s largest body of water. 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 shrines of Suwa Taisha, befitting of a spiritual pilgrimage ride (34.9 km, 3 hrs 40 minutes).

Rental Shops

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)

Okaya City Tourist Information Center
Location: Adjacent to Okaya Station (bike rental from 500 yen / day)

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

Nearby Cycling Option: Tatsuno Town

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)