To cut straight to the chase, the Furano area is a paradise for cyclists.
Let me break down exactly why this place has become my cycling haven.
Why I Was Drawn to Furano
A little bit about me: I was born in the Kanto region, spent my college and early career years in Tokyo.
In 2017, I quit my office job and started traveling around Japan as a cycling blogger and photographer. During my travels, the place that captivated me the most was Furano, the area I now call home.
For simplicity’s sake, I’ll refer to it as the “Furano area,” which consists of several towns and cities.
The Allure of Furano for Cyclists
- Cyclist-Friendly Climate
- Even in summer, it’s rare for temperatures to exceed 35°C.
- Humidity stays around 40-50%, so you won’t have to deal with the sticky, unbearable heat typical of central Japan.
- The breeze in the shade feels refreshing, making it a comfortable environment for cycling.
- Few Traffic Lights and Varied Routes
- Outside of main roads and town centers, there are almost no traffic lights.
- The landscape features rolling hills and scenic views that never get boring, plus high-quality paved roads with very few “bumpy” sections that are common in other parts of Japan.
- Variety of Routes for Every Cyclist
- Example 1: A 100km route with only two traffic light stops.
- Example 2: A challenging 100km route with over 2000m of elevation gain, including a 10km+ climb.
- Example 3: A relaxed cycling cafe tour for those who prefer short distances.
- Easy Access
- About 40 minutes (30km) by car from Asahikawa Airport.
- It only takes about 2 hours by plane and car from Tokyo — and it’s even quicker to get here than going to places like Nagano or Niigata from Tokyo.
- If you’re into bike touring, you can even fly in for a day trip!
Winter in Furano: A New Cycling Possibility
While Furano might have the image of a harsh northern winter thanks to the popular drama “Kita no Kuni Kara,” living here in the winter isn’t as tough as it might seem.
What’s even cooler is that snow cycling becomes a fun new activity during the winter months! (More on this in another article.)
Furano: A Cyclist’s Dream, No Matter Your Level
Whether you’re cycling for leisure or training like an athlete, the Furano area offers perfect conditions.
From café hopping to intense training routes, there’s something here for cyclists of all levels to enjoy.
In Conclusion
If reading this has piqued your interest in the Furano area, I highly recommend experiencing it for yourself!
You’ll discover a whole new world of cycling fun that’s waiting for you.
This article was written by.
KENT
With 15 years of experience in sports cycling, I have been involved in support & photography related to bicycles, while climbing over 300 mountain passes across Japan. I have written articles for blogs & media during this time. Through these activities, I cycled around Japan about four times & realized that the best cycling environment in the country is in Kamifurano, so I relocated there. I am now focused on promoting cycle tourism & outdoor tourism in the region, as well as sharing information.
BLOG : https://noboranaindesuka.work
