Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Get a map of Hokkaido. If you can read Japanese, visit the Japan Cycling Association website.
Locate accommodations. Cycling terminals, youth hostels and camping are good choices for budget travel. Because of this, there are accommodations around popular tourist areas and National Parks.
Know the rules of the road in Japan and especially those relating to bicycling. Cyclists stay to the left and go with the car traffic. Yield to pedestrians.
Prepare your bike and bring your own gear if possible. Your bike should have a rear reflector, headlight and a bell. Bring a helmet and a lock. You can rent bikes at many youth hostels, cycling terminals and near railway stations.
Discover Onuma Quasi-National Park located 30 kilometers north of Hakodate. The park has 126 islands, Mount Komasatake, a dormant volcano and Lake Onuma. You can rent bikes and take the cycling path around the lake.
Take the biking trail from downtown Sapporo to Lake Shikotse. If you are an advanced rider, you can continue to Lake Toya, which has very steep mountain passes and is near the active volcano Mt. Usa. The lakes are famous for their clarity of water and are part of the Shikotsu Toya National Park. The volcano Mt. Yotei also has good paths for mountain biking.
Consider biking from Sapporo 80 kilometers to Takikawa. Sapporo is the capital and largest city in Hokkaido. About 20 kilometers out of Sapporo, the trip becomes more rural and scenic.
Ride to Asahikawa, taking the cycling path along route 237. Continue to Biei and Furano, famous for their rolling hills and flowers. These areas have many back roads and country lanes to explore.
Explore the Daisetsuzan National Park area, which is Japan's largest national park. The Daisetsuzan mountain range, known as "The Roof of Hokkaido" because it has the highest peaks on the island, is a popular biking area. The Sounkyo Gorge is 24 kilometers and offers scenic views. Start your tour from the town of Sounkyo Onsen.