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Akita, Iwate and Miyagi
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This route cuts across the Tohoku region from its west to its east coast. In Akita Prefecture, it goes upstream along the Omono River, the longest river in the prefecture, and passes by hidden hot springs and homes and places with local delicacies such as stir-fried yakisoba in Yokote and inaniwa udon noodles.
The ride continues into a hill climb section, passing over the Ohu Mountains right beneath the 1,100-meter peak of Mt. Kurikoma. The descent from the pass will take you down to Hiraizumi, recently designated as a World Heritage site.
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The road along the Kitakami River is an enjoyable ride that ends in Ishinomaki, among the areas hit hardest by the earthquake and tsunami in March. We conclude the ride with prayers to those who lost lives or loved ones in the disaster.
Special Tour: Niwa Cycling Tours will be conducting a three-day ride of the route starting from Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, on Saturday, Oct. 8, and finishing in Ishinomaki on Monday, Oct. 10. For more details, please visit www.ncycling.com or contact nct@ncycling.com.