Katatetsu Roman Kaido, known as an abandoned railway cycling road in western Japan, is famous for its beautiful rows of cherry blossom trees and is located in the eastern part of Okayama Prefecture, making it easily accessible from the Osaka metropolitan area.
I introduces a 22km one-way (44km round trip) cycling route through nostalgic scenery where old station buildings and platforms still remain and beautiful cherry blossom trees.
Contents
What is Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route (former Katakami Railway site)?
Katakami Railway was a 33.8km railway line that once ran from Katakami Station in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, to Yanahara Station in Yanahara-cho, Kume-gun (now Misaki-machi), and was in operation until 30 June 1991.
On 24 November 2003, the general prefectural road Bizen-Yanahara Bicycle Route, nicknamed ‘Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route’, was opened to traffic, after paving of the railway track and restoration of the station building had been under way.
The cycling path, which runs along a small portion of the public road but is almost exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians, has gentle undulations due to the former railway, making it easy for even beginners to ride.
The route is lined with cherry blossom trees, and in early April visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the station buildings, platforms and cherry blossom trees that can only be seen on abandoned railway tracks.
Starting from JR Wake Station
The start is Wake Station on JR Sanyo Main Line.
Until 1991, the station was connected to Dowa Mining Katakami Railway, so Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route runs in front of the station.
Not only is the railway station easy to reach by bicycle, but there is also a large car park adjacent to the course in front of the station.
Cycling on Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route
Shintawarai-zeki (Shintawarai weir) can be seen 5km from Wake Station.
The masonry Tahara weir built on Yoshii River in the Edo period. It was rebuilt in the 1980s as the new Shintawarai weir, and a power station was subsequently established.
Yoshii River is considered one of the three major rivers in Okayama, along with Asahi River and Takahashi River.
Amase Station Ruins
About 800m from Shintawarai-zeki is Amase Station Ruins.
The view of Amase Station Ruins, where the platform and station building still remain, and the cherry blossoms is spectacular. The sound of little cuckoos can be heard and the air is very peaceful.
Bizen-Yata Station Ruins
From Amase Station ruins, ride along the Iwato cherry tree-lined road for about 3.8km to Bizen-Yata Station ruins.
There is a large Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route information board on the platform ruins, which makes for a different combination shot with the cherry blossoms from the other stations.
Nigaki Station Ruins
About 4km from the site of Bizen-Yata Station Ruins is f Nigaki Station Ruins.
A nostalgic message board remains at the station ruins. Chalk is available, so you can take nostalgic photos by writing messages on it.
Inamaki Cherry Blossom Lane
Crossing Bisaku Bridge, about 4km from Nigaki Station ruins, you will turn off the cycle path in the direction of Inamaki Park.
From the park, a beautiful row of Inamaki cherry blossom trees continues.
At the end of the rows of cherry trees, stop for a sweet treat at Kimama Café, an old house café. The café also has a wooden bicycle sculpture.
Yoshii River Park
From Kimama Café, return to the cycle path and ride about 4km to Yoshii River Park.
The gently flowing Yoshii River, the riverside park with its beautiful greenery and the rows of cherry blossom trees on both sides of the road provide a different cherry blossom landscape to that of the former railway site.
Turn around here and head back to JR Wake Station, enjoying a different landscape from the direction we came from.
At Amase Station ruins on the way back, an woman who have been tending to the plants and flowers here for a long time shred her story with us.
Video Report
Video reports of the cycling are also available.
Course Introduction
Round trip distance: 44.2km Elevation gained: 186m
▼Time required from Osaka Station to Wake Station
Train: approx. 2 hours (without Shinkansen)
By car: approx. 2 hours (using motorway)
▼Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route(General prefectural road Bizen-Yanahara Bicycle Route)
https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/hareiro-cycling/en/route/route05.html
Summary
I had visited Katatetsu Roman Kaido Cycling Route many times before, but in April 2022 I was finally able to ride it during the cherry blossom season.
Cycling along the rows of cherry trees on the cycling road, which cannot be driven by car, while taking pictures and videos at a leisurely pace is a luxury that only a bicycle can offer.
It is also easily accessible as a day trip from the Kansai region. It is a cycling road that I would like people from all over Japan to stay overnight and ride it at least once, and I also recommend it to overseas cyclists.
Please enjoy cycling Katatetsu Roman Kaido during the very beautiful cherry blossom season.
