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Riding In Japan...

manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,644
1,214
Nilbog
Yo RM friends...A buddy and I are planning to spend some time traveling in Japan this fall. The plan is to do a few days of riding over the 10 days we will be there. We are in the research phase of where to ride and figured I would put up a post to see if anyone has experience doing so? There are some decent google search results but wanted some first hand experience if possible.

My initial thought was find stuff in Hokkaido, but it really doesn't look like there is a ton of content from that area available online. I find that funny though because it's such a hotbed of winter mountain activity. That said areas south and east of Tokyo look to have some good riding.

Any info would be great. Thanks in advance.
 

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
20,192
19,158
Canaderp
The bcpov guy on YouTube did a big trip there last year I think. He has a bunch of videos. Can probably reach out to him for contacts and info.
 

xy9ine

Turbo Monkey
Mar 22, 2004
2,940
353
vancouver eastside
no idea what's going on in terms of bike scene, but i *really* want to snowboard hokkaido one of these years.

and just check out japan in general. rad place. should be a fun trip.
 

velocipedist

Lubrication Sensei
Jul 11, 2006
559
702
Rainbow City Alabama
You can checkout my old videos from the Nikko area (approx 80ish miles north of Tokyo) Kirifuri Freeride on youtube.

https://youtube.com/user/KirifuriFreeride


Bikes that have wheels removed and are covered in what the Japanese call a rinkoubukuro can be taken on trains.

Fujimi Panorama is the one resort with a lift and 4 trails. I would recommend grabbing your International Driving Licences and renting a vehicle.

I can provide better info/help with logistics if you narrow down a timeframe and location.
 
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manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,644
1,214
Nilbog
no idea what's going on in terms of bike scene, but i *really* want to snowboard hokkaido one of these years.

and just check out japan in general. rad place. should be a fun trip.
Yeah I contacted our old man photo friend guy...He said go straight to Hokkaido, then realized I was talking about summer. Can't wait regardless.
 

manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,644
1,214
Nilbog
You can checkout my old videos from the Nikko area (approx 80ish miles north of Tokyo) Kirifuri Freeride on youtube.

https://youtube.com/user/KirifuriFreeride


Bikes that have wheels removed and are covered in what the Japanese call a rinkoubukuro can be taken on trains.

Fujimi Panorama is the one resort with a lift and 4 trails. I would recommend grabbing your International Driving Licences and renting a vehicle.

I can provide better info/help with logistics if you narrow down a timeframe and location.
Thanks man, this will be one of the first times I've ever been looking to rent a bike. Normally can't stand it but I just can't deal w/ lugging a bike around Japan. Packing light for this one.
 

velocipedist

Lubrication Sensei
Jul 11, 2006
559
702
Rainbow City Alabama
Thanks man, this will be one of the first times I've ever been looking to rent a bike. Normally can't stand it but I just can't deal w/ lugging a bike around Japan. Packing light for this one.
Renting will limit your options.

The name escapes me but there is a Specialized store in Gunma prefecture that rents and guides with a decidingly xc lean to it.

Fujimi Panorama ( where the WC was held I believe ) in Nagano Southwestish of Tokyo is where you will want to go for more gravity.

Technically speaking hiking trails are not off limits to bikes, of course it often times end up being Bike Portage with awesome yet minimal riding distance. And it is wise to stay off popular trails to reduce potential hiker ire. Hard to recommend for your first trip there.

I leave for Japan next week for a month, and the new jorb looks to send me there minimum of twice a year, so I am happy to bridge the language barrier should you need assistance.

Good luck.
 

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,480
4,720
Australia
If you're near Nagano, in Chino village there's an American ex-pat dude called Paul who used to work for SRAM for years. Buddy of mine hired him as a guide and reckons it was a great time, particularly if you like after ride beers.

Place was called Yatsugatake Cycling.
 

hmcleay

i-track suspension
Apr 28, 2008
117
116
Adelaide, Australia
I spent a day DHing at Fujimi Panorama (different from Mt Fuji) around 2010.
http://www.fujimipanorama.com/mtb/en/
It's lift accessed, with 3 or 4 runs (only one proper DH run). It has probably improved since I was there.
It was pretty wet when I was there, so not super enjoyable, but still fun.
I hired a bike and gear from the rental 'Backyard Garage House'.
It took approx 2 hours to get there from Tokyo, and from memory, they didn't have credit card facilities out there.
 

fubuki

Chimp
Dec 5, 2004
66
25
PNW
I live in Japan. I've only ridden Fujimi Panorama and Fujiten bike park. Both are fun, but pretty lacking compared to bigger North American spots. Hope to get out to Hakuba soon for some riding.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,289
5,029
Ottawa, Canada
Was just watching a vid of Cathro riding the Legoland course after it was closed, and saw this off on the side of the YT recommendations:
I haven't watched it yet, so can't comment on quality, but it seemed relevant (i.e. white boy riding in Japan!)
 

captainspauldin

intrigued by a pole
May 14, 2007
1,263
177
Jersey Shore
Was just watching a vid of Cathro riding the Legoland course after it was closed, and saw this off on the side of the YT recommendations:
I haven't watched it yet, so can't comment on quality, but it seemed relevant (i.e. white boy riding in Japan!)

I watched that one, dirt looks awesome, but he mentions there's only like 2-3 trails.
 

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,289
5,029
Ottawa, Canada
I watched that one, dirt looks awesome, but he mentions there's only like 2-3 trails.
agreed. I wouldn't fly there just for that. But... I'd stop there for sure if I was going on a ride trip there! He mentioned that was the first day of a 5-day riding trip... I'll watch for more updates for sure. I'm not a super big fan of his channel, but I'm kinda of a Japan fanboi, so I'll be watching for the next edit to drop.