Japan doesn’t have a lot of dediced cycling infrastructure. Compared to most of Europe and even parts of North America, it can feel like the cycling infrastrcture is significantly lacking. There are some major cycling routes:
- Shimanami Kaido – Cycling cross huge bridges with spectacular views across 70km
- RinRin Road – Old railway near Tokyo that has become a well maintained cycle path for 40km and about 100km around a lake
- Biwa-ichi – Cycling loop arond Like Biwa with the vast majority being dedicated bike paths
The National government has created some other bicycle routes but these are almost entirely on regular roads (Nation Cycle Routes)
- Pacific Cycling Route – Generally follows the coast, many of the roads are high traffic
- Tokapuchi400 – 403km Route in Central Hokkaido
- Toyama Bay Cycling Route
One of the reasons that Japan doesn’t really need the cycling infrastructure is that with speed limits never more that 60kph and the vast majority of roads that cyclists will take is lower making many of the regular roads quite bicycle friendly.
Additionally, there are some grade separated cycling roads along rivers and on old rail beds
- Tamagawa Cycling Road – Tokyo
- Kubiki Cycling Road – Niigata