Routes and areas to cycle in Oita

For bicycle touring aficionados, Japan, with its varied countryside is a great place to visit. Oita’s many quiet country lanes, lack of vehicle traffic on all but the major thoroughfares, and almost entirely considerate and polite drivers make it a good region to explore on a bicycle. Traffic-free, dedicated cycle paths are have also been created around the coast of the Kunisaki Peninsula and along Yabakei gorge for the enjoyment of all including the youngest child, whilst Himeshima, Nagayu Onsen and Tsukahara, in the hills above Yufuin, offer almost entirely traffic-free environment to turn the pedals in. Innai offers cycling for the more experienced rider.

Elsewhere, the Tsurumisaki peninsula and Innai offer some lovely cycling, while the Kunisaki’s ‘Nio Yudo’ Cycle Routes, Yamanami Highway and Saiki Coastal Road provide grander touring and greater tests of a cyclist’s mettle on climbs over passes and up to towering cliffs overlooking the ocean. Cycling Oita provides further information on routes in the prefecture and beyond into neighbouring Kumamoto.