fbpx
    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...
        fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Tsugaru, Honshu’s True North

Hokkaido is the most northern island in Japan, yet it is so different from the main island of Honshu, that in some ways it feels like a foreign land. Tsugaru, however, which lies in the farthest reaches of Honshu, feels like you are venturing deep into Japan’s true north.

We begin our two-wheeled journey north of Hirosaki, an old castle town in Midwest Aomori Prefecture. Hirosaki-jo is well known for the cherry trees that line the moats of this famous Tohoku castle.

From Hirosaki, we pedal on toward the foot of Mount Iwaki (Iwaki-san). The mountain has been dubbed “Tsugaru Fuji” for its beautifully balanced shape, resembling iconic Mt. Fuji. The area boasts the largest apple crop in Japan; enjoy the blossoms in early summer and eating some delicious apples in autumn and winter. Continuing on, about one kilometer west of Narusawa Station on the JR Gono Line, you will hit a north-to-south stretch called Melon Road. We pedal northbound on the road toward Jusan-ko (Lake Jusan).

As we go north along the lakeshore past Kodomari, the road gets quite hilly with sections exceeding a ten-percent grade as we head up to Chokandai lookout at an altitude of 502 meters, the highest point of the route. From here, a breathtaking descent will leads down to Cape Tappi (Tappi-misaki). A lighthouse is located on the top of a hill and the national route from here weaves down to the coast below through a series of stops. No cars are allowed on this national route, yet you can push your bike down on the ramp on the side of the steps or take the paved detour.

From the cape, we crank on through quaint fishing villages with the sea rolling in on the left. Hokkaido’s mountains look close – and they are – only twenty kilometers across the water. After rounding Cape Takano (Takano-saki), the route heads south towards the bustling capital of Aomori City.  

Takashi Niwa actively organizes guided tours around the world, from the back alleys of Tokyo to remote villages in Tibet. He has authored many books including “Otona no Tame no Jitensha Nyūmon” (Nihon Keizai Shinbun Shuppansha). His company, Niwa Cycling Tours organizes tours in Japan and around the world.  

[novo-map id=2 individual=”yes”]

Outdoor Japan logo tree

Related

Latest posts

Categories