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  4. Bikepacking Japan: Shiojiri to Kyoto via the Nakasendo Trail

Bikepacking Japan: Shiojiri to Kyoto via the Nakasendo Trail

from Shirojiri

to Kyoto

E-Bike: 9h 06 / day

Bike: 12h 04 / day

334 kmDistance
2,720 mElevation
2 DaysDuration
Difficulty
2Stages
Village
Climbs
Riverside
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Shirojiri - Kyoto
Shirojiri - Ogaki
Ogaki - Kyoto

+5

Description

From the alpine heights of the Kiso Valley to the cultural soul of Japan: this epic 334km / 208mi bikepacking tour takes you along ancient samurai paths from Shiojiri straight into Kyoto. The historic route seamlessly blends challenging mountain passes with pristine lakeside and valley riding. Cycling past the beautifully preserved wooden post towns of Narai-juku and Magome-juku, the trail crosses the legendary Sekigahara pass before opening up onto the massive shoreline of Lake Biwa. Following the densely forested Saba Kaido trade route through the peaceful Ohara Valley, you finish in the vibrant heart of the old imperial capital. With 2,720m of elevation gain, it is a rewarding journey of rich history and pure cycling flow. Cut out the tedious planning and endless open browser tabs. Rogonneur radically reduces complexity, bringing curated tracks, bike-friendly hotels, and seamless logistics together in one spot. Less friction, more adventure. Create a free account now and start your

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Start with Day 1 and move through the bike tour stage by stage.

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Tour Details

This tour includes detailed day-by-day descriptions, accommodation recommendations, points of interest, difficulty ratings, and expert tips for completing this amazing cycling adventure...

Route

Technically speaking, this demanding route shines with Japan's legendary, flawless tarmac and perfectly maintained, low-traffic backroads. Occasional concrete paths cutting through vibrant rice terraces make a tire width of 28 to 32mm the ideal choice to ensure maximum speed and vibration damping. An all-road or endurance road bike fits this terrain perfectly, as the long, steady alpine climbs allow riders to lock into a smooth, efficient cadence. While the steep ramps during the first half requ...
Start Point
Shirojiri
End Point
Kyoto
Country
Japan
Regions
Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture

At a glance

Distance

334 km

Difficulty

Medium

Road type

—

Duration

2 days

Tour Itinerary

  • Day 1
    Shirojiri - Ogaki

    228 km2,114 m

    View Details
  • Day 2
    Ogaki - Kyoto

    106 km606 m

    View Details

Cultural & scenic highlights

Travel access

Travel to start

Very easy access

You have several good options for arrival: Shiojiri Station by train or Matsumoto Airport by flight or Sawando Bus Terminal by coach. Choose the one that fits your origin and bike setup best.

Major rail hub

Shiojiri Station, 0 km · about 5 min by public transport

Airport

Matsumoto Airport, 6 km · no public transport connection found

Coach / bus hub

Sawando Bus Terminal, 27 km · no public transport connection found

Bike hire nearby: 市民交流センター(えんぱーく), 0 kmAlso nearby: 諏訪湖遊覧船 (Ferry Terminal), 16 km — not a way to leave the tour

Travel from finish

Very easy access

You have several good options for leaving the tour: Kyōto Station by train or Kitaoji BusTerminal by coach. Choose the one that works best for your next destination and bike setup.

Major rail hub

Kyōto Station, 4 km · about 30 min by public transport

Coach / bus hub

Kitaoji BusTerminal, 3 km · about 20 min by public transport

Local transport

京阪電車 神宮丸太町駅, 0 km

Bike hire nearby: Docomo Shop Kawaramachi-Marutamachi, 0 kmAlso nearby: Keage (Ferry Terminal), 2 km — not a way to leave the tour

The Curated List

Packing List

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Best value
€20.00