Japan Alps Cycle Route
The Japan Alps Cycling Route is a spectacular 900 km journey through the heart of Japan’s mountainous interior, stretching from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean. Winding through Nagano, Gifu, and surrounding prefectures, the route showcases the dramatic peaks of the Northern Alps, charming post towns, crystal-clear rivers, and centuries-old temples. Cyclists can enjoy challenging climbs, peaceful valleys, and countless cultural experiences along the way. With changing scenery across the seasons, onsen towns to relax in, and local cuisine to fuel your ride, this long-distance route offers an unforgettable adventure on two wheels.
Official Website: https://japanalpscycling.jp/en (English)
The Route
Despite the name of “cycle route” the Japan Apls Cycle Route does not have any dedicated cycle paths, it is entirely on road. However, the roads are chosen to almost exclusively quiet and nice riding!
Official Route
The following is the official Ride with GPS Route from Japan Alps Cycling Project.
Signposting
Signposting quality along the route varies quite widly. Some portions, like Northern Nagano, have large metal signs at every major intersection (even those where the route goes stright) and blue chevrons on the ground make the course very easy to follow. However other portions, in particular through the city portions, the course if virtually completely unmarked.
| Kiso Valley | Not Signposted or marked with arrows |
| Iida Valley | Very well marked with both signs at intersections (frequenty when route goes straight as well) as well as blue arrows on the road. |
| Hakuba Area | Well signposted |
| Nozawa Area | Well Signposted |
| Nagano City Area | Not Signposted or marked with arrows |
| Matsumoto City Area | Not Signposted or marked with arrows |
| Nojiri Lake Area | Very well marked with both signs at intersections (frequenty when route goes straight as well) as well as blue arrows on the road. |
| Ueda Saku Area | Not Signposted or marked with arrows |
| Suwa Lake Area | Well signposted |
| Tenryu River Area | Not Signposted or marked with arrows |
Things to do and see
Kiso Valley
The Kiso Valley is famous for the Nakasendo, one of the 5 old roads of Japan.
The route stays off of Route 18, a busy national road that runs down the valley, keeping the cycling nice. The route does run through the beautiful Tsumago Juku post town. One of the most famous post towns along the Nakasendo Route and worth a stop.
Iida Valley
The Iida Valley offers a lots of gentle countryside cycling.
Hakuba
Hakuba is famous of it’s beautiful moutain scenery
Nozawa
Nozawa is a traditional Onsen town.
Nozawa onsen is famous for the many free onsen around town. They can be quite hot though!
Nagano City
Nagano City is home to the famous Zenko-ji Temple (which is just off the official Japan Alps cycle Route)
Lake Nojiri
Lake Nori offers a beautiful lake with several restaurants
Lake Suwa
Lake Suwa is a lake surrounded by hills that has a bicycle path that goes all the way round providing a nice relaxing ride
Tenryu River
The Tenryu River offers lovely river views and fall colours. From the south end Japan Alps Cycle Route the Prefecture Route 1 connects to the south for a lovely road Tenryu River going south
Getting there and away
Nagano is generally fairly easy to get to with Matsumoto having good access from Tokyo and Nagoya and Nagano having a Shinkansen connection,
