Route 352 – Okutadami / Aizu
Overview
Route 352 through the mountains of Niigata and Fukushima with generally low traffic (and virtually no traffic in some sections) and feel like you are deep into the mountains of Japan
Route
Overview
This route rides through the beautiful mountains of Niigata and Fukushima. The largely untouched mountains offer wonderful fall colours. Typically the fall colours are best at the end of October or early November.
The course as far as Hinoemata is very easy. From Koide, just follow Route 352.
Route starts from Koide Station (though the Urasa Shinkansen Station is equally as good and convenient from Tokyo) and follows Route 352 to the East. One can spend the night in Hinoemata and continue onto Aizu on a second day or for a one-day option power through all the way to Aizukogen Ozeguchi Station (会津高原尾瀬口駅)
On the map, there is a bypass tunnel called the Silver Line, however this is entirely closed to two wheel vehicules including motorcycles
Shiori Pass (枝折峠）
The first major pass of the route is Shirori Pass (枝折峠) and from the entrance at 1000m it is a fairly considerable climb. What makes this climb great is the views climbing as once the main climb starts the right hand side is almost always clear.
Note that the “Silver Line” that bypasses is not open to bicycles (or motorcycles).
Lake Okutadami (奥只見湖）
Lake Okutadami is a resevoir lake for the massive Okutadami Dam.
Route 352 follows along Okutadami Lake for 25 kilometers. The views of Okutadami Lake are spectacular virtually the entire time with very little tree cover. Addtionally, there no buildings along the road so the views are unspoiled!
This section is virtually untravelled by cars and over the dozens of kilometers only single digit numbers of cars to be seen, even in the beautiful fall season
Miike (御池）
Miike representes the peak of the climb out of the Oku-tadami Lake basin. After the long climb up Shiori, then the ups and downs around the lake, this 800m climb can be a real killer.
Hinoemata (檜枝岐）
Once the Miike is passed, it’s downhill for 30+ kilometers. The descent through Hinomata is quite relaxed and only 2 or 3 percent. There are plenty of places to stay in Hinoemata and for those riding from West to East it’s a good place to stay after all that climbing. Rest up and then enjoy the beautiful Aizu scenery in the morning.
Getting There
From the West
The author typically rides this route from West to East to take advantage of the beautiful scenery going up Shiori Pass. The nearest station is Koide Station, however Urasa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen Line isn’t far
Other Notes
Once you leave Koide, there are absolutely no stores at all until Hinoemata so be sure to stock up!
There is one small hut along the way, 山ん中 (Yamannaka, In the middle of the mountains) that does serve some meals however it would not be wise to count on it being open though it has been every time in the experience of the author. Being at the base of the 800m Miike climb can give a good chance to refresh oneself before setting out again
