Bihoro Town, located south of Ohzora Town where Memanbetsu Airport is located, is famous for the Bihoro Pass, which is popular among hill climbers, but you can also enjoy leisurely cycling in this compact town.
I will introduce a 14-km cycling tour unique to Bihoro that can be enjoyed in about 2 hours before or after your flight.
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What is Bihoro Town like?
Bihoro Town is about 15 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport, the gateway to Okhotsk area, to the center of the town.
It is a compact city with more than 80% of its population of approximately 18,000 people concentrated in an urban area with a radius of approximately 2km between Abashiri River and Bihoro River.
The city has one of the lowest precipitation and highest sunshine rates in Japan, with summer temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius on some days, but the humidity is low and the air is cool and dry.
The town is famous for the scenic spot “Bihoro Pass” located about 28km from the center of the town.
JR Bihoro Station
Bihoro Station on JR Ishihoku Main Line is about 8 minutes away from Nishi-Memanbetsu Station, which is the closest station to Memanbetsu Airport.
It takes about 20 minutes by airport bus from Memanbetsu Airport, although the number of buses is not so frequent.
The tourist information center inside the station provides information on sightseeing and accommodations in Bihoro. There is also a product store “Poppo-ya” on the premises, which sells local products.
At the Bihoro Tourism and Products Association, you can rent various types of sports bicycles, including road bikes.
The bicycle I rented was a Specialized road bike (aluminum model).
Bihoro Aviation Park
It is good to go to “Bihoro Pass” on the 28km uphill from Bihoro Station, but let’s take a leisurely stroll around the town.
The first destination is Bihoro Aviation Park located in the southwest part of the town, about 5km from Bihoro Station.
The 600m x 20m runway on the banks of Abashiri River is a base for the promotion of sky sports, where ultralight planes, gliders, radio control toys, etc. can take off and land.
The park used to display five self-defense and other aircraft, but four were removed in December 2016, and now only one T-33A is on display.
T-33A jet fighter
T-33A on display was converted from an F-80 (Shooting Star) fighter to a training plane, and was used as a training plane in many countries around the world.
In Japan, 210 were produced domestically for pilot training by Air Self-Defense Force, and were used as the first jet trainer for all jet pilots.
This 387 was the aircraft on which a total of approximately 10,000 pilots trained for about 28 years from October 1962 to December 1990.
The aircraft measuring 11.5m in length, 11.9m in width, and 366m in height can be seen at such a close distance that visitors can take pictures of it as if they were in a scene from a movie.
Bihoro Museum
Bihoro Museum is about 3km north of the Aviation Park.
The permanent exhibits at Bihoro Museum include a diorama reproducing the ecosystem, an introduction to the creatures that live in the heated reservoir, and artwork by artists associated with Bihoro Town.
Bihoro Museum is both a museum and an art museum.
Near the museum, there is a forest park, a campground, and an athletic field.
C58 82 SL and Bihoro Shrine at Kashiwagaoka Park
About 2.5km southeast of the museum and a short walk up a hill is Kashiwagaoka Park. There is a baseball field, a youth ball field and an athletic field.
The steam locomotive C58 82 exhibited in this Kashiwagaoka Park was active for 35 years from 1938 to 1973.
Bihoro Shrine, located adjacent to the northeastern part of Kashiwagaoka Park, was founded in 1920. The “Summer Pilgrimage” is written on a signboard on the approach to the shrine and on a lantern at the torii (gateway).
The hand-watering basin was decorated to give a taste of summer.
About 2.5km from Bihoro Shrine, we returned to Bihoro Station to finish my 14km compact city cycling tour in the morning.
Bihoro town with many cafés
Bihoro Bus Terminal in front of the station has a café called “Burasamu” next to it.
The town is dotted with a number of cafés, and “Kitchen Café Biotope” near Abashiri River is said to be a popular place. It is an easy location to stop by on your way to cycling.
Course introduction
Distance: 14.2km Elevation gained: 87m
Bicycle rental information
▼Ride Okhotsk with FUN! Rent a bike
http://hokkaido-okhotsk-cycle.com/cycling-station/
Summary
Renting a bicycle is a convenient way to explore the city while traveling. If you are in an area close to the airport, you can enjoy a few hours of cycling before your flight.
Bihoro Town, famous for “Bihoro Pass”, is said to be a compact city, and you can enjoy cycling around the town in a short distance.
It was uniquely appealing and satisfying to see the jet fighters that have trained many pilots for 28 years and the steam locomotives that have carried many people and goods for 35 years, close at hand.
Of course, you can also enjoy the charm of riding a bicycle through the great nature while feeling the wind.
