HOKKAIDO CYCLE TOURISM Hokkaido Cycle Tourism Promotion Association The Hokkaido Cycle Tourism Promotion Association is a joint venture between the Sapporo Chamber of Commerce Hokkaido Cycle Tourism Promotion Association and the private sector to attract cyclists to Hokkaido. INDEX 03 7 Introduction to the 18 Courses 05 Road Ride Wear Recommendations Based on Temperatures and Time of Year -Things you should know before cycling in Hokkaido- 07 Central Hokkaido Model Course [Shin-Chitose to Sapporo] 11 Eastern Hokkaido Model Course [Memanbetsu to Memanbetsu] 15 Kamikawa Tokachi Model Course [Asahikawa to Obihiro] 19 Southern Hokkaido Model Course [Hakodate] 23 Sapporo Area 27 Asahikawa Area 31 Tokachi Area 35 Kushiro / Mashu Area 39 Abashiri / Ozora / Koshimizu / Kitami Area One of the most beautiful and 43 Niseko Area beloved places in the world 45 Hakodate Area With its wonderfully diverse climate, excellently paved roads, abundance of delicious cuisine and numerous natural hot springs, 47 Listing of Hokkaido Cycle Events and Races Hokkaido is a vast, breathtaking land that inspires and attracts cyclists from all over the world. 01 02 Hokkaido 7 Areas Tokachi Area Kushiro / Mashu Area An Introduction to the 18 Courses Tokachi area is prosperous See Lake Mashu which has the Ride the land loved by cyclists from around the world! 7 agriculture and dairy for its clearest water in Japan, and vast and rich soil plains. You Lake Kussharo, which is the Abashiri / Ozora / Koshimizu / Kitami Area can feel the extensive farm largest caldera lake in Japan. Courses that offer maximum variety view of Hokkaido. Also enjoy Kawayu Hot Spring, and hills of great scenic beauty. Asahikawa Area ● Panorama & Lake View Ride ● River View Ride ● Kushiro Marsh Ride ● Kiritappu Seaside Ride ● Vast Plain & Garden View Ride ● Double Lake Ride ● Mashu kussharo Hill Climb Ride Sapporo Area Abashiri / Ozora / Koshimizu / Kitami Area Niseko Area The Okhotsk Sea is a world Niseko is one of the premier heritage site. Shiretoko is rich ski resorts in Asia, and is an Kushiro / Mashu Area in seafood and dairy products. internationally known winter Niseko Area sports destination. Cyclists can enjoy a truly invigorating ride Tokachi Area with captivating views of Mt. Yotei. ● Hills Ride ● Country Ride ● Mt.Yotei Circuit Course Hakodate Area ● Flower Ride ● Green Ride Sapporo Area Asahikawa Area Hakodate Area With a population of 1.9 million, Asahikawa, the second most The entarance of the Hokakido Sapporo is the largest city in populated city in Hokkaido, is Shinkansen. Visit many happy Hokkaido and the capital of the full of highlights such as the places and enjoy the sea breeze. prefecture. You can enjoy cycling nationally-renowned Asahiya- from Sapporo to other locations ma Zoo, Mt. Taisetsu, Sounkyo like Ishikari and Sorachi. Ravine, and a number of beautiful gardens. ● Ocean View Ride ● Sapporo Country Ride ● Sounkyo Ravine View Ride ● Coast View Ride ● Sapporo Horizon Ride ● Chubetsu River View Ride Basic Stats on Hokkaido Prefectural Capital: Sapporo City Bicycle Transportation Information Population: 5.46 million Area: 83, 457 km2 (39.7 times the size of Tokyo) Many Japanese transport ■LCC (Low Cost Carriers) ■Transporting your Bicycle ■JR (Japan Railways) Comparison of Climate Data for the companies will allow [Budget Airlines] by Package Delivery Services train lines Major Hokkaido Cities and Tokyo you to have your bicycle Carrying a bicycle will Your bicycle can be moved from You should put your – Annual Average Temperature Annual Rainfall Annual Hours of Sunlight as luggage providing that usually involve an addition- your home/accommodation/where bicycle away in a special it’s less than 20kg and no al charge, as would any you are staying to accommoda- bag, and providing it is 16.3℃ 1570 one side exceeds 203cm mm 2023 large piece of luggage. Your tions at where you intend to ride by less than 30kg in weight, 1279 1252 1820 1814 hrs when it’s packed in a bicycle should be placed in commercial delivery companies. If and the length, width and mm 1197 hrs hrs mm mm 1589 protective or storage hrs a protective storage case you’re going to use this method, height do not exceed 250 9.3℃ case. Fees vary by travel made of a durable material it’s important to get permission cm in total and it is less provider. 7.2℃ 6.7℃ like corrugated cardboard. from the place that you will be than 2 meters in length, it Be advised that if you do sending your bicycle to. Not doing can be carried for free on not make a reservation to so could lead to a refusal to accept JR train lines. Please bring your bicycle on board the delivery. Always try to inquire note that no more than Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo as luggage beforehand, you in advance. two pieces of luggage are Sapporo Kushiro Sapporo Kushiro Sapporo Kushiro Asahikawa Asahikawa Asahikawa may not be allowed to do allowed per passenger. so. Source: The National Meteorological Office 03 04 ■Average Temperature by Month Month Sapporo Asahikawa Kushiro Road Ride Wear Recommendations Based on Temperatures and Time of Year in Hokkaido’s Major Cities June 17.6℃ 18.1℃ 13.1℃ Riding With the Best Preparations Possible! July 22.5℃ 22.8℃ 17.7℃ August 23.1℃ 21.9℃ 19.2℃ Source: The National Meteorological Office the Japanese mainland. temperatures that can be as cold midwinter on In early spring and late autumn, be outfitted for cold early in the morning and around dusk. Even in spring and autumn, it can get equipped for the possibility of slightly cold weather. Even in early summer it’s still a good idea to be even in the midst of summer. Stay comfortable and avoid heat exhaustion 5°c 10°c 20°c 25°c A temperature similar A long-sleeved jersey A half-sleeved jersey, A half-sleeved jersey, to that of mainland and legwarmers, and a thermal underwear, arm and sweat absorbent Japan in the coldest windbreaker and a vest warmers and a light underclothes. part of winter. for mornings and eve- version of legwarmers nings. and a thin windbreaker. Extra cautious cy- A thick top with long clists may also want sleeves and thermal Compact gloves and to bring a vest and leggings. Gloves for shoe covers. arm warmers. the coldest days. Shoe covers. A win- ter faceguard. Checklist of Recommended Items □ Helmet □ Refillable Bottle(s) □ Tube(s) □ Puncture Repair Kit □ A Flashlight or similar □ Travel Insurance □ Camera □ Wire Lock □ Portable Chemical Hand Warmer □ Plastic Bag(s) Essential □ Sunglasses □ Food Supply □ Tire Lever □ Raingear □ Bell □ First-aid Kit Recommended □ Cycle Computer □ Insect Repellent □ Masking Tape / Gaffer Tape Equipment □ Shoes □ Spare Inner □ Pump □ Mobile Phone □ Map Equipment □ GPS □ Sunscreen □ Batteries Things to be aware of when cycling in Hokkaido Even in summer the temperature can drop When riding in the least populated areas of sharply in places like high passes in the Hokkaido, it may not be possible to buy food or morning and evening, or when it’s raining. other supplies for relatively long periods of time. Hokkaido Cycle Tourism The sun generally sets early, so al- Bathrooms may also not be available. Official Site low some leeway in your itinerary There can also be regions where it for times you may want to stop due will not be possible to get mobile http://www.cycletourism-hokkaido.com/ to noticeable drops in temperature. phone service. Plan your journey Search with these considerations in mind. Hokkaido Cycle Tourism There can be heavy traffic and large vehicles on the major highways. Hokkaido is a treasure trove of wildlife. The official site covers all the This can lead some cyclists to try However, there can be potential hid- and ride only on the prefectural den issues when encountering wild courses in the 7 areas. roads, backstreets or the wide agri- animals. Northern foxes carry a par- You can access downloadable pam- cultural roads that are part of the asitic worm called Echinococcus. phlets and maps showing the positions real charm of cycling Hokkaido. There are strict restrictions on feed- of all bicycle stands, addresses and However, unless you have real ing or touchingt these animals as the links to specialized cycling shops and knowledge of the area, an excel- parasite is easily transferred to hu- a list of hotels that offer dedicated bi- lent GPS system or a guide with mans, so please refrain from doing cycle storage. you, these routes can be challeng- so. ing to navigate. 05 06 Long Ride Course 03 02 04 05 06 01/Mt. Yotei in Autumn 02/Mt. Showa Shinzan and the statue of Mimatsu Masao 03/‘Sculpture Park’ on the shores of Lake Toya 04/Spring Water from Mt. Yotei, called ‘Kamuiwakka’ or ‘Water of the Gods’ in the indigenous Ainu language 05/Riding in the heart of nature 06/Enjoying extra-soft ice cream at Yamanaka farm 01 Hokkaido Resort Ride Chitose - Date - Sobetsu - Toyako - Rusutsu - Makkari - Niseko - Setting out from Shin Chitose Airport, beauty and top quality attractions that this Kimobetsu - Kyogoku - Kutchan - Akaigawa - Otaru - Sapporo you’ll travel through the Chitose city area, course offers. Central Hokkaido head to Lake Shikotsu and pass though Heavy traffic between Otaru and Sapporo Course guide well-known and much-loved destinations could prove difficult for riders who are not Distance - 263km (Approx.)／Time Required -17hrs 30mins (Approx.) ／Grade – Intermediate／ such as Lake Toya, Rusutsu, Niseko and accustomed to such conditions. Fortunately, Locations with Bicycle Stands – 9／Start Point – Shin Chitose Airport／End Point – Sapporo JR Station (Sapporo City) [If you experience difficulties on the final stretch from Otaru to Sapporo due to traffic volume, you can take your bike Kiroro.