For cyclists seeking Hokkaido's iconic vistas, a trip to Obihiro and Tokachi in eastern Hokkaido is a must. The crisp air, the scent of vast grasslands, and roads that seem to stretch endlessly over rolling hills evoke the charm of rural France. Here, you’ll find the joy of cycling through the great outdoors, including unpaved gravel roads that add a thrilling dimension to the experience.
Located in the central-eastern part of Hokkaido, Tokachi is a region consisting of 19 cities and towns. It is Japan's largest agricultural hub, known for producing safe, secure, and delicious ingredients. The vast and majestic landscapes here evoke a sense of nostalgia and awe in visitors. The name "Tokachi" is derived from the Ainu word "Tokapuchi," meaning "milk," which refers to the Tokachi River, whose mouth resembles two breasts. Tokachi offers an active adventure with its breathtaking scenery, abundant nature, agricultural richness, and one of the highest rates of sunny days in Japan.
At the heart of the "Food Valley Tokachi," Obihiro boasts a food self-sufficiency rate of over 1,000%. This vibrant city is home to local culinary delights such as pork bowls, curry restaurants, food stalls, and famous sweets shops. Visitors can also experience the plant-based moor hot springs that are rich in natural minerals, Ban'ei horse racing where you can see the powerful banba horses up close, and classic Hokkaido landscapes that overlook scenic hilly gardens. Obihiro captures the essence of Hokkaido tourism, offering a mix of play, food, and sightseeing.
Mikuni Pass, situated in Daisetsuzan National Park, is the highest pass (1,139 meters above sea level) on a national highway in Hokkaido. Below the pass stretches an expansive sea of virgin forest, and at dawn, you might witness a mystical sea of clouds. It's a rare and breathtaking sight to behold both the sea of trees and clouds together. Reaching the pass just before sunrise rewards cyclists with an unforgettable view on the descent.
A hidden gem in Daisetsuzan National Park, Lake Shikaribetsu is the highest lake in Hokkaido, perched at an elevation of 800 meters. At night, the air is so crisp and clear that a star-filled sky seems within reach, making it feel like the lake closest to the heavens. Natural hot springs bubble up along the lakeside, offering a deep connection with nature. During the cold winter months, ice igloos and chapels appear on the frozen lake, hosting unique events and activities.
One of the many highlights of cycling in Tokachi is the "gravel" experience. When it comes to road biking, the "Tokapuchi 400," designated as a National Cycle Route, is a popular choice. However, if you're looking to truly enjoy cycling in Tokachi, I especially recommend the "gravel" paths. These include gravel roads with gentle ups and downs, single tracks through windbreak forests inaccessible to cars, and animal trails where untouched nature remains after the closure of old railway lines. CYCLING OUT HOKKAIDO offers several attractive gravel road routes.
The Tokapuchi 400 is one of Japan’s six official national cycle routes. This 403-kilometer route forms a figure-eight loop around the Tokachi Plain in eastern Hokkaido. The northern section of the route takes you through mountainous terrain up to Mikuni Pass, while the southern section offers panoramic views of the Hidaka Mountains and vast plains.
The wide, lightly trafficked roads of Tokachi are a cyclist’s dream, offering everything from tree-lined tunnels and wheat fields to coastal areas where the changing aromas reflect your speed. The local cuisine, which you can enjoy along the route, reflects the deep, earthy flavors of Tokachi’s fertile land.
Map①
https://www.ctjguide.com/files/tokapuchiMAP_english_omte.pdf
Map②
https://www.ctjguide.com/files/tokapuchiMAP_english_ura.pdf
For cycling in Hokkaido, with its cracked pavements and gravel roads, an e-road bike with thicker tires is highly recommended. However, transporting your own bike can be cumbersome, especially with battery restrictions on flights. A convenient option is to rent locally. The Specialized Experience Center, located at Hokkaido Ballpark F Village in Kitahiroshima City, offers the latest models from the American luxury bicycle brand, ensuring a hassle-free rental experience.
After spending the night at Nukabira Onsen by Lake Nukabira, set out early to catch the sunrise from Mikuni Pass, Hokkaido's highest national highway at 1,139 m(3,737ft) above sea level. If the weather is favorable, you may witness both a sea of clouds and a vast forest formed by a caldera ? a breathtaking sight unique to this region of Japan.
The climb from Lake Shikaribetsu to Shirakaba Pass, followed by the smooth, undulating descent that feels like a roller coaster ride, is a cycling experience you won't soon forget.
Japan boasts six national cycle routes officially recognized by the government, including the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road (Hiroshima-Ehime), Biwaichi (Shiga), Toyama Bay Cycling Course (Toyama), Pacific Coast Bicycle Route (Chiba-Kanagawa-Shizuoka-Aichi-Mie-Wakayama), Tsukuba Kasumigaura Rinrin Road (Ibaraki), and in Hokkaido, the "Tokapuchi 400" in the Tokachi area.
"Tokapuchi" comes from the Ainu word for the Tokachi River, symbolizing the region, and the "400" refers to the total distance of 400 km(248.5ml). Hence, the name "Tokapuchi 400."
One of the highlights of this route is the well-maintained national highways. While Hokkaido's cold winters cause cracks to appear in many roads, the national highways with solid asphalt surfaces remain smooth, making them ideal for cycling. On the other hand, rural roads tend to suffer more damage, making them challenging for high-speed cycling.
Hokkaido is also a top destination in Japan for gravel cycling, offering unique landscapes that can only be accessed via gravel roads. These unpaved paths are laid with extra gravel to withstand winter snow and ice, giving riders an exhilarating, off-the-beaten-path adventure. The panoramic views from the hilltops, overlooking vast agricultural and dairy landscapes, are quintessentially Hokkaido.
●Start: Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen
●Goal: JR Obihiro Station
●Highlights: Fishway Observation Room and Totoroad, Jesuit Monastery, Tokachi Hills, Manabe Garden
●Distance: 36.2 km
●Elevation Gain: 324 m
●Difficulty: ★★
Just 10 kilometers outside of Obihiro City, you can experience the quintessential landscapes of Hokkaido. Start by cycling along the Tokachi River on a scenic countryside route. At the Fishway Observation Facility Toto-Road, you might catch a glimpse of salmon and trout swimming through the "fish ladder" visible through glass panels. The admission is free. As you continue south along the straight roads lined with farms and ranches, you'll gradually ascend about 150 meters into a hilly area, where you'll be fully immersed in Hokkaido's iconic scenery. At the Jesuit Monastery, you can enjoy chocolates, while at Tokachi Hills, a cafe, lunch, and soft-serve ice cream await. Even without paying the entrance fee, you can rest in areas of Manabe Garden where you might spot wild birds and Ezo squirrels. The distance between Obihiro Station and the Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen is approximately 10 kilometers, making it possible to create a loop course of about 47 kilometers. If you’re bringing your bike by train, Obihiro Station is a convenient start, and if you're driving, the roadside station makes for an easy departure and arrival point.
●Start: Nukabira Onsenkyo
●Goal: Mikuni Pass Observation Deck
●Highlights: Sunrise at Mikuni Pass, Birch Forest, Former Shihoro Line Bridge Ruins
●Distance: 32.1 km (one way)
●Elevation Gain: 710 m
●Difficulty: ★★★
Aim for Mikuni Pass, the highest point on Hokkaido’s national highways at an elevation of 1,139 meters. Stay overnight at Nukabira Onsen, located on the shores of Lake Nukabira, and time your departure to catch the sunrise. While the route has a relatively gentle incline, the distance is long, so it’s okay to drive partway to your starting point. Along the way, you’ll pass through a beautiful birch forest, which may appear to float in the morning mist, and you can also spot the remnants of the farmer Shihoro Line bridges. As you approach the pass, you may be treated to the sight of a sea of clouds stretching across the caldera, with the majestic Matsumi Ohashi Bridge and the surrounding sea of trees creating a breathtaking view. There’s also the chance to be moved by a magical sunrise.
At the rest area next to the Mikuni Pass observation deck, the owner’s specialty coffee and soft-serve ice cream are popular treats. The restroom here remains open even when the shop is closed, though the water fountain is only available during operating hours. The route is well-paved, so you can safely descend back to your starting point if you choose. After your ride, you can return to your inn, enjoy a refreshing soak in the hot spring, and still make it in time for breakfast before checking out.
●Start: North Shore of Lake Shikaribetsu
●Goal: Tokachi Farm Birch Avenue
●Highlights: Lake Shikaribetsu, Underwater Railroad Tracks, Bikejoring Facility, Tokachi Gravel, Birch Avenue
●Distance: 47.3 km
●Elevation Gain: 368 m
●Difficulty: ★★
Starting at Lake Shikaribetsu, you can capture the picturesque scene of chairs on a deck jutting into the lake and tracks leading underwater. Once you climb from the lake to Shirakaba Pass, it's mostly downhill from there. You’ll speed down gently rolling straight roads like a roller coaster. The unpaved sections, known as "gravel" among cyclists, provide an exciting challenge for those with thicker tires and offer unique views that can't be seen otherwise. At the Tokachi Farm Observatory, you’ll enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Hokkaido’s expansive landscape. Continuing on the gravel, you’ll pass through the stunning Tokachi Farm Birch Avenue. An e-bike is a great choice to assist with pedaling, and a soft-serve ice cream break along the way makes it easier to complete the long ride with enjoyment.
●Start: JR Obihiro Station
●Goal: Hirose Farm Uemon’s Heart
●Highlights: Totepo Path, Tokachi Railway Steam Locomotive, Masuya Bakery Mugioto,
Inada Larch Windbreak Forest, Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Hekiun Gura,
Obihiro no Mori, Tokachi Oval, Hirose Farm Uemon’s Heart
●Distance: 13.7 km
●Elevation Gain: 84 m
●Difficulty: ★
Head South on Toteppo Path, a Pedestrian and Cycling Route Built on the Former Tokachi Railway Tracks. This route is perfect for a relaxed and leisurely easy ride through Obihiro City to discover delicious local treats. Masuya Bakery Mugioto is a local favorite, where you can take a break on the benches in the expansive grounds. Pass through the larch forest south of Obihiro Agricultural High School, and visit Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Hekiun Gura shop, located on the Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine campus, where you can observe sake brewing through glass windows. At Obihiro no Mori, you'll find the Meiji Hokkaido Tokachi Oval, where road bikes used by speed skaters for cross-training are neatly lined up in the bike racks. Don’t miss the gelato at Hirose Farm Uemon’s Heart nearby. Even if you follow a loop course starting and ending at Obihiro Station, it’s about 20 km, and you can visit the shops in any order you like.
A landscape and climate reminiscent of rural France
The thrill of riding on unpaved gravel roads
A stunning descent from Mikuni Pass through misty birch forests
Hokkaido’s quintessential landscapes just 10 km(6.2ml) outside Obihiro
Witness the sunrise and a sea of clouds over the caldera from the highest national highway in Hokkaido
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