Ride Guide Japan | Le Col Cycling

LC__CC member Sean Lancaric, has spent some time in Japan riding and exploring. He shares with us his favorite moments and route and advice for those also wanting to explore Japan by bike too. From volcanic ascents crowned with shrines to quiet roads winding through ancient forests, every moment offered new discovery. Their journey through Japan became not just a test of endurance, but a celebration of culture, respect, and the beauty of exploration by bike.

The Day Before: Conquering the Giant

With the stage scheduled for Tuesday, our group decided to tackle the ascent on Monday. I had only climbed Ventoux once before, in June the previous year, so I was eager to break my personal best on the Strava segment from Bédoin. We were blessed with near-perfect weather conditions.

Given the varying abilities within our group, we shared one final espresso before setting off at our own pace, planning to reunite at the summit. The climb was packed with riders from around the world, all sharing the same goal: to experience this brute of a mountain before the professionals tackled it the following day. It showcased cycling at its finest. There are few other sports where amateurs can experience the same arena as the professionals.

What made you want to go to Japan to ride in the first place?

Driven by adventure we wanted to explore a region less travelled within cycling. Japan's deep culture and less explored high peaks quickly became the clear choice.

How did you plan your routes, was there a specific climb or region you had your eye on?

Nagano Prefecture - known to many as host to the Olympics was the alp region we set our eyes on. Only a few hundred kilometers from Tokyo it provided a wide range of options and cultural history. We also visited Kyoto for its cultural importance and rising popularity for road cycling.

What was the most memorable ride or climb and what made it so memorable?

Mount Akagi in Gunma Prefecture is a volcano that some 30,000 years ago burned so hot it eroded its top, leaving 7 distinct peaks and in its center a deep lake known as a caldera, all above 1800m altitude. Prior to climbing we visited the shrine at the base of the climb and asked to be blessed for safety in the traditional manner. At the top another shrine exists where cyclists buy trinkets to keep on their bikes for continued safety. The lake at the top is quite large and reminded me much of my youth in Canada, full of canoes. We circled the lake within the volcano before descending towards Mt Haruna. A mountain full of switchbacks that is the origin of Japanese drift racing made more popular in pop culture by the Fast & Furious film franchise. This day was memorable because we felt immersed not only in the scenery which was stunning but also participated in local culture in a meaningful and transformative way.

Mount Akagi Ride Strava

How would you describe the scenery, what stood out most about the landscapes or roads?

The scenery can be described as a labyrinth. Constantly changing. So many varieties of trees, wildlife, and cultural history. You cannot travel more than 10km before encountering a new scene. Wild Monkeys telling us to turn back on one of our climbs and having to summit as a group to shout them out of our way certainly stands out.

Was there a particular moment on the bike that really captured what makes Japan special to ride in?

When we came across some road works in the middle of nowhere there were construction workers directing traffic. When they saw us approaching they prioritized our passage and bowed to us (which we reciprocated while riding). This attention to detail and respect to fellow road users (clear tourists no less) made clear to us that Japan's culture places emphasis on respect, humility, and unity.

What’s the best food to try or café stop you’d recommend to anyone visiting?

The town of Kiryu can be described like Detroit in the USA. Home to a lot of artists and entrepreneurs doing interesting things, taking lots of risks. Pizzeria Da Maki is a Japanese owned wood oven pizza shop that is a 10 out of 10 must try. Full of locals and craft beers, it is a very unique and tasty experience.

How is Japanese cycling culture compared to what you’re used to at home?

Japanese cycling culture is all about the twang. They are there for the music....the open road.... the sound of the six string. The culture appreciates style however what that looks like is open ended and accepted as ones own expression of personal style.

What surprised you most about cycling in Japan?

I was greatly surprised at how many mountains we were able to climb and how few cyclists we saw along the way. It really felt like a trip of discovering our own little secrets.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about planning a Japan cycling trip, what would it be?

Travelling by train and renting bikes in each region is ideal to pack in more adventure with less faff. We were able to source Specialized Atheos frames and also recommend staying in local traditional Ryokans for accommodation. Google translate worked a treat when we needed the help.