We introduce about recommendation cycling route in Autumn, Which is ” Rural Scene along the Hime River “.

Let’s enjoy cycling in Hakuba Village with “Hakuba Cycling Map”!

About HAKUB Cycling Map

[About]

• Rural Scene along the Hime River, which flowes from south to north of Hakuba Village. If you have a chance to visit Himekawa Genryu Shizen Tanshoen park, leave your bikeand enjoy a little hiking.
• Difficulty: Tourists (rent-a-bicycle) to sports bike beginners
• Total Distance: 13km (including walking)
• Duration: 3.5 hours (including breaks and walks)
• Elevation Gain: 120m
• Calories burned: 320kcal

View the route details and Bikemap

Attention: This report is based on cycling in 2019. Please contact the relevant local government for the latest information.

1. JR Kamishiro Station ｜ Depart at 10:30

The starting point is JR Kamishiro Station, which is the station number “15” of the local railway “JR Oito Line” that connects Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, through Hakuba Village, and Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture.

This time I rented a bicycle at JR Hakuba station and came to this JR Kamidai station. JR Kamishiro Station is 2 stations from JR Hakuba station. The distance is about 6km, and it takes about 20 minutes by bicycle, so it’s OK to rent a bicycle in Hakuba Village.
For your information, You can rent a bicycle at the Sanosaka Tourism Association, which is about a 1km walk from JR Minami Kamishiro Station. There are both city type bicycles and electrically power assisted type bicycles, so please check by phone(+81- 261-75-2811) in advance before using.

This time, Mr.Itabashi, a special guest and helper, participated in the cycling.

He is a student in the intern at a certain university, and this is his first experience in Hakuba Village.

We will start the cycling from JR Kamishiro station.

We go south on a straight road in the field.

Golden rice ears are fluttering in the wind on both sides.

On this day when the roaring heat was over and we felt chilly, the grown rice ears were hanging down due to their weight.

2. Shinmeisha shrine｜ Arrive at 10:50

We have been cycling about 3km from the departure.

We have arrived at Shinmeisha shrine, a nationally designated important cultural property.

It is unknown when Shinmeisha was enshrined here, but it seems to have existed at least in the early Kamakura period.

It Enshrined here is the Amaterasu Omikami deity, Which is supureme in Japanese myths..

As you can see, the road to the main shrine is a gravel road and slope.

Please be careful when walking with binding shoes.

There are many splendid cedar trees in the surrounding area.

This is the Aidono (a shrine that pairs with the main shrine) Suwasha shrine, and the main shrine of Shinmeisha shrine stands behind it.

Both shrines were designated as national important cultural properties in 1949.

After exploring Shinmeisha shrine, we will start cycling again.

We will continue south from Shinmeisha shrine toward the Hime River Source.

Along the way, there is the Olympic Memorial Stone Carving Park where various stone statues are lined up.

It is a park built to commemorate the Nagano Olympics.

Unfortunately it was a cloudy sky at the time we visited this day, but if the weather is nice, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the stone windmill, the Northern Japan Alps, and the countryside.

3. Himekawa Genryu Shizen Tanshoen Park (Hime River Source and Oyomi Wetland) ｜ Arrive at 11:20

About 7km from JR Kamishiro station, we have arrived at “Himekawa Genryu Shizen Tanshoen Park” which is the main destination of this cycling route.

From here, you can leave your bicycle and walk for a while.

The area around Himekawa Genryu Shizen Tanshoen Park (Hime River Source and Oyomi Wetland) is designated as a natural environment conservation area based on the Nature Conservation Ordinance of Nagano Prefecture as it forms a valuable natural environment.

First of all, despite the altitude of 750m, this Oyomi Wetland is said to be very rich in low-rise and high-rise moor plants that inhabit the subalpine and alpine zones.

In particular, it is said to be the only habitat of Horomuisou (Rannoch-rush or Scheuchzeria palustris) in Nagano prefecture, and it is said to have high academic value.

As you can see, the boardwalk and tip pavement are maintained, but be aware that the boardwalk is slippery for binding shoes.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the Oyomi Wetland.

At this time of year, you can enjoy Mizuotogiri (Triadenum japonicum).

It is a rare flower that blooms all at once from around 3 pm and deflate in the evening.

After going around the wetland, you can walk along the tip pavement to the Hime River Source, but you can also ride a bicycle to get closer.

This is the Hime River Source.

It is a group of springs located near national roads and private houses, which is very rare as the source of a first-class river.

From the promenade, you can see a colony of Amur adonis, Baikamo (Ranunculus nipponensis), and Iwana (Chars) swimming in clean water up close.

It has been selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan.

One of the highlights of this Hime River Source is Baikamo (Ranunculus nipponensis).

It is a small white flower that blooms in the water, and it is a precious thing that grows only in the clear stream.

Unfortunately we couldn’t find it on this day, but You can usually see it from June to mid-September.

The walk is over through the “Katakuri Bridge” over the Narusawa River.

As the name of this bridge suggests, you can enjoy the flowers of dog tooth violet (Erythronium japonicum, , Katakuri means dog tooth violet in Japan) at the Hime River Source in spring (late April to early May), so be sure to visit.

4. A single track on the old road (the part of the Himekawa Cycling Road) ｜ Arrive at 12:20

After enjoying the Hime River Source, we start cycling toward JR Kamishiro Station.

From now on, we will move north.

On the way, the thatched roof was being re-roofed.

It is very valuable because it is usually done once every ten or more years.

It is also a good point of Hakuba that you can meet such a rare sight.

The road going north from the Hime River Source to JR Kamishiro Station is a little difficult to understand, so we should check the map and proceed.

We are cycling by following the clear stream of the small Hime River under the blue sky that spread before you know it.

It feels really good.

A single track on the old road that starts from about 10km on this route is part of the “Himekawa Cycling Road”.

It is a straight road that almost no cars pass through.

When you come near Michino-eki Hakuba, you will see a white buckwheat flower field!

Soba (made from buckwheat) is famous as a specialty of Hakuba.

5. Michino-eki Hakuba (Lunch) ｜ Arrive at 13:00

After running about 11.5km in total, you will arrive at Michino-eki Hakuba.

The “horse”-shaped symbol is a landmark. (because the word “Hakuba” means white horse)

A bike rack is also available there.

Michino-eki Hakuba is registered as the Hakuba Cycle Station.

Fresh vegetables are sold at Michino-eki, and you can enjoy them even if you just come to shop.

The purpose of our stop this time is lunch at the restaurant next to Michino-eki.

This is a soba set meal (1,050 yen).

It is a set of Hakuba’s specialty handmade soba, Hakuba’s specialty purple rice okowa, and vegetable tempura. I recommend it.

And here is the standard pork loin cutlet set meal (1,050 yen).

Hakuba pork cutlet is soft, juicy and popular.

There are various other menus, so if you are interested, please check here. Everything is delicious♪

6. JR Kamishiro Station ｜ Arrive at 13:45

From Michino-eki Hakuba, JR Kamishiro Station in Goal is just around the corner.

The Northern Japan Alps, which was hiding in the clouds in the morning, is now showing up beautifully.

It was a fun cycling of about 12km in total, about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Thank you to Mr.Itabashi for helping us with this cycling!

7. Another recommended spot

We didn’t stop by this time, but the following shop is also recommended on this route. Please drop in.

Yamato(Buckwheat Noodle Shop)

It is a popular old-fashioned soba restaurant near JR Kamishiro station.

Address: 22720 Iida, Kamishiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
TEL: 0261-75-3162
Website (tabelog)
Business hours: 11: 30-17: 00
Regular holidays: Irregular holidays (Please check business hours and regular holidays in advance.)

8. Parking information (For those who transfer between cars and bicycles)

Sunsun Park Hakuba

Address: Kamishiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Capacity: 51 vehicles (including 15 for large vehicles and 2 for cars for handicapped)
Lot Fees: Free
Business hours: 24 hours

Hakuba Cross Country Stadium (Snow Harp)

Address: 3003 Kamishiro, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
TEL: 0261-75-3934
website
Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (green season), 9:30-16:00 (winter season)
Regular holiday: Please check from the website

Wing 21 (Sports Arena)

Address: 2066 Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
TEL: 0261-72-8770
website
Business hours: 9: 00-21: 00
Regular holiday: December 29-January 3

[Another Report in HAKUBA]

[Project Supprted by Revitalization Subsidy of Reiwa 2.]

AUTHOR : Takashi KURISU