Watarase Valley
Cycling along the Watarase Keikoku (わたらせ渓谷) offers a scenic journey through the heart of Gunma and Tochigi Prefectures, tracing the path of the Watarase River and the historic Watarase Keikoku Railway. This route combines gentle riverside roads with lush mountain landscapes, making it ideal for cyclists seeking a blend of nature and culture.
Starting from Kiryū or Ashio, the ride passes through charming rural towns, forested valleys, and alongside the nostalgic railway line, with its vintage trains adding to the picturesque setting. Highlights include the Watarase Keikoku Railway’s First Matsuki River Bridge, a steel truss bridge constructed in 1914, offering a glimpse into Japan’s industrial heritage.
The route is suitable for intermediate cyclists, featuring some moderate climbs and descents. Along the way, riders can enjoy seasonal attractions such as cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. The area also offers opportunities to explore local history, including the remnants of the Ashio Copper Mine, which played a significant role in Japan’s modernization.
For those looking to extend their adventure, the nearby Watarase Cycle Park provides dedicated cycling courses catering to various skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders.
Whether you’re seeking a leisurely ride through serene landscapes or an immersive cultural experience, cycling the Watarase Keikoku offers a unique and memorable journey through Japan’s countryside.
The Route
The route connects Akagi to Nikko up the beautiful Watarase Valley.
The route below avoids the National Road 122 as much as possible as it can have reasonable traffic, expecially on weekdays. Many of the roads on the Southern section are small traffic-free roads.
The route also goes over the Ashio Pass at the top instead of the tunnel. The tunnel is 2.8km long and doesn’t have a sidewalk so the pass is a alternative. It’s a approximately an extra 400m of climbing over the tunnel
Things to do and see
Mizunuma Station
Mizunuma Station has an onsen inside the station building and can be a place to stop along the way!
Ashio Mine
足尾銅山（Ashio Copper Mine） was one of Japan’s most significant copper mines, located in present-day Tochigi Prefecture. Discovered in the early 17th century, it rose to national importance during the Meiji era as Japan industrialized. Operated by the Furukawa Company, Ashio became a symbol of both technological advancement and environmental controversy. The mine sparked Japan’s first major pollution disaster, leading to severe deforestation and river contamination—issues that gave rise to the country’s earliest environmental movements, notably led by activist Shōzō Tanaka. The mine closed in 1973 and now serves as a museum, preserving the legacy of Japan’s industrial history and environmental awakening.
Watarase Valley Railway
The Watarase Valley Railway is a scenic railway that runs up the valley and runs special open air trains in the fall and is worth a ride in it’s own right!
Getting there and away
Kiryu
Akagi Station is easily accessed from Tokyo via the Tobu Line being an limited express stop with approximate 15 services a day
Nikko
Nikko is very easily accessed by both JR (Utsunomiya line to Utsunomiya and then shinkansen to Tokyo) or Tobu (mostly to Asakusa but also 4 services a day to Shinjuku)
Continuing riding downhill to Shimoimaichi Station can make getting back to Tokyo easier in some cases and some limited expresses come from Kinugawa onsen
