A bike ride around Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture
This was my first and longest ride in Japan, and what a beautiful way to start! ..and to get used to riding on the left side of the road! Karuizawa is one of the oldest resort towns in Japan, situated 1000m above sea level, its cooler weather was a great excuse to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Starting from my hotel just south of the Harunire Terrace around 6AM, I ride south to Naka-Karuizawa station before heading west through some farmlands through Miyota and eventually Komoro. On the outskirts of Komoro I head back north to ride up part of Mount Asama (an active volcano!), taking some scenic and stereotypically small Japanese roads towards Hishino Onsen. I thought about continuing up the Cherry Park Line towards the top of Asama… but there’s only so many hours in the day and I planned to do Usui Pass at the end. Instead, I tacked back east to enjoy the straight shot back to the hotel on the unnamed road that overlooks the whole of the valley. After getting back to the hotel for a short break I actually headed back out to tackle Usui pass but unfortunately the route there was still closed due to mudslides earlier in the year.
I’m not sure when I’ll get to go back with my bike again.. but I’m sure I’ll take on Mt Asama, Shibutoge, and Usui Pass when I do! And will start later in the day so I can enjoy the plethora of cafes, conbinis, and bakeries along the way.
I should have two more videos coming from the Japan trip!
Recorded on October 1st, 2024 with an Insta360 Go3 Camera.
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/12552535003
00:00:00 Nat’l Route 146, Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, BEB5 Hotel
00:03:52 Turning towards the Route 18 Karuizawa Bypass
00:10:23 Kariyado Bypass towards Miyota
00:17:10 Foggy Mountain Views
00:20:45 Heading into Miyota
00:25:38 Crossing the Shinano Railway in Miyota, Views of Mount Asama
00:29:48 Descent through Maseguchi suburb, Miyota
00:33:03 Up an Asama Foothill
00:36:17 Rolling Farmland towards Komoro
00:43:14 Through the outskirts of Komoro
00:47:31 Climbing towards Hoshino Onsen via Prefectural Route 131
00:51:20 A mountainside forest road
00:54:53 Bottom of the Cherry Park Line
00:59:00 A sketchier mountain forest road
01:01:50 Continuing Hoshino Onsen Climb via Prefectural Route 130 now
01:08:43 Back East on a hilltop towards Karuizawa
01:21:00 Vistas over Miyota
01:27:28 Getting lost finding Forest Road
01:34:32 Forest Road, Karuizawa
01:38:29 Passing the Waseda Seminar House on Forest Road
01:41:39 Asamadai Ward, Karuizawa
01:45:16 Winding, Hilly Road back to BEB5 Hotel and Nat’l Route 146