Yabitsu Pass
Cycling over Yabitsu Pass (ヤビツ峠 or Yabitsu Touge) in Kanagawa Prefecture is one of the most popular climbs in the Tokyo area. It is a challenge that takes riders through lush forests and serene mountain landscapes. The climb from the Hadano side is steep and demanding, making it a popular route for cyclists looking to test their endurance and skills.
The descent toward Lake Miyagase is smoother and offers opportunities to enjoy the tranquil surroundings. With its quiet roads and natural beauty, Yabitsu Pass provides a peaceful and invigorating ride, perfect for those seeking a rewarding day in the mountains.
The Route
The route from Miyagase Dam to Hadano is about 30 kilometeres following Kanagawa Prefecutrial Route 70
Hadano Side
The Hadano side starts at the convenience store along 246 and climbs from there, the first little bit isn’t too steep but then picks up for a long straight. After about a third of the distance, the road enters the forst and the grade evens out a bit.
On the weekend there is car traffic as well as city busses so care is required, especially when descending.
The Hadano side is very popular amongst cyclists from Tokyo as not only is it a ridable distance from central Tokyo but has has good train access (see below) from Tokyo
The Peak of Yabitsu Pass
From 2022, a new “rest house” was built at the peak of Yabitsu. Open 8:30 to 16:00 on Weekdays and 8:00 to 16:30 on weekends and serves food!
Rest House Information (Japanese Only)
Miyagase Side
The Miyasase Side is a relatively gentle (except for a small section near the top) climb throught he forest and can be a nice enjoyable climb!
Extra Riding
Miyagase Dam Resevoir Loop
A loop of the dam reservoir is about 11km which can be a nice ride, however one must walk one’s bike across the actual dam area (which is enforced by local security guards). To avoid that walking requires descending down to National Route 412 and climbing back up to the lake again for a total of 17km.
Doushi Michi
Miyagase is connected to Doushi Michi, a road that runs between Hashimoto and Yamanaka Lake (One of the Fuji 5 lakes), it’s a gentle climb through the mountains up to Yamanaka Lake. It’s accessible just off the West side of Miyagase Lake, at the base of the North side of Yabitsu Pass
Prefecturial Route 513
If riding back to Hashimoto Station, taking the detour along Route 513 can be well worthwhile, it’s a lovely countryside road
Food
There are no shops along Route 70 except the rest house at the top of Yabitsu Pass which has a restaurant and vending machines. If not eating there, any food must be purchased at either end. Hadano is suburban city and has a wide variety of restuarants, fast food and conveince stores
The options at Miyagase are significantly more limited, when open (9-5, closed Tuesdays) the Toriibara Fureai House on the North side of the Miyagase Lake offers some local food. There are also a couple restrauarnts just near the exit of Route 70 at the Miyagase Lakeside Park
Getting there and away
It is possible to ride to both sides of Yabitsu pass but to do a full round trip would be 160km (and probably include many less than idea roads) which is a bit much for many cyclists, but both ends are reasonably accessible by train.
Hadano
Hadano is on the Odakyu Odawara Line with good service from Shinjuku with Express service every 10 minutes or so and takes 70 minutes. There are a few of the more comfortable Romance Car services that stop at Hadano as well and they are slightly faster at about 60 minutes
Miyagase Dam
Miyagase Dam doesn’t have a train station that is immidately close but Hashimoto Station (Keio Sagamihara Line) and Hon-Atsugi (Odakyu Odawara Line) both give good access back to Shinjuku. From either of those stations it’s a about 18km ride to the Route 70 entrance.
