Time Travel Cycling Japan

04/11/2025

Chichibu–Yokoze E-Bike Ride
We’re creating a new e-bike event in Chichibu and Yokoze later this month.
I went for a test ride — every corner of Yokoze felt so full of light, so open and bright.
And there are plenty of great food spots too. Stay tuned!

04/11/2025

Terasaka Rice Terraces
Glad I could visit again, even after the harvest.
The colors of the season are beginning to show, little by little.

27/10/2025

Breaking News: Shikahachi (Tour de East Japan) Evolves! Announcing New ‘Jōban Arc’ and ‘Sanriku Arc’ Format for the 800km Journey.

Thank you for your continued interest in Shikahachi (Tour de East Japan: Kashima to Hachinohe 800km). We are thrilled to announce a major update for the upcoming season. To make this epic 800km journey more accessible and adaptable to your personal style, we are evolving the event format. In additio...

26/09/2025

Hello from Saitama! I was out on the road today doing a final course check for a local event we're running this Sunday, but I couldn't resist scouting for future Time Travel Cycling adventures. And what a discovery I made.

The timing was perfect. The Higanbana (Red Spider Lilies) are in full, fiery bloom. These incredible flowers appear for just a short time around the autumn equinox, painting the countryside in brilliant crimson.

Riding along these quiet, historic paths, flanked by ancient stone walls and blooming lilies, felt like pedaling through a painting. This is the Japan we love to share—a beauty that is fleeting, seasonal, and deeply connected to nature and history.

Imagine a tour here next year, with the crisp autumn air, the vibrant scenery, and the quiet roads all to ourselves. This is the essence of cycling in the Japanese countryside. Who wants to join us?

21/08/2025

Early Morning Hill Climb – Mikabo Super Forest Road

Yesterday’s ride took us to the first (paved) section of the Mikabo Super Forest Road. I also used it as a chance to test the BESV JG1 e-gravel bike in Economy Mode only—to see just how far it could go.

The result: 22 km / 1,150 m of climbing while consuming only about 2/5 of the battery. Not bad at all for energy-saving mode!

And what a refreshing route this is. Most of it runs through cool, shaded forest, and once you climb above 900 meters the highland stretch feels wonderfully comfortable. At Shiozawa Pass, I could already sense the first hints of autumn in the air.

This time I turned back the same way, but next round I’m looking forward to exploring the surrounding forest roads even further.

19/08/2025

【Morning Hill Climb / Mt. Dodaira Observatory】
Last Sunday, we enjoyed one of our Okumusashi Bike Tours regular rides—the Morning Hill Climb to Mt. Dodaira Observatory. 🚴‍♀️

With the help of E-bikes, we smoothly tackled the climb, felt the cool breeze at 876m, and admired the spectacular views from the summit. After a refreshing break at the observatory café, the ride continued through quiet forest roads and hidden local spots, making it a perfect early-morning escape.

✨ At Time Travel Cycling, we also offer customized private tours like this. Whether you’d like an early-morning hill climb, a gravel adventure, or a cultural cycling journey, we’d love to create a ride tailored to you.

08/08/2025

Looking for Cool Air Without a Mountain Climb?

Every morning, I’ve been chasing altitude on my rides.
But I sometimes hear the question:
“Isn’t there a place that feels cool, without having to climb so much?”

Yes—there is.

It’s called Kunugidaira.
Long ago, this area was split between Kunugi Village and Taira Village,
and the two were often at odds—
at one point even taking opposite sides in a conflict:
Kunugi supporting the samurai,
Taira siding with the monks of Jikō-ji Temple.

The old checkpoint gate you see here once stood blocking the road down into the valley.
The paved road to the right is modern—it was built in the Shōwa era.
Back then, this was truly the border between the two villages.

…But enough history.
The road along the Hikawa River that leads to Kunugidaira is wonderfully cool,
and once you pass through the checkpoint remains,
it becomes even cooler.

There’s a lovely gravel stretch,
and the elevation is only about 400 meters—
yes, you’ll still climb a bit, but nothing extreme.

Today, the old hilltop school has been reborn as the Kunugimura Experience Center,
where you can enjoy a delicious bowl of udon noodles.
Next to it stands a beautiful red torii gate and a stone stairway leading up to Sengen Shrine.

If you’re looking for a refreshing ride with a dash of history—
this is the place.

06/08/2025

To escape the brutal summer heat, I once again climbed to higher ground early this morning—this time, even crossing the prefectural border.

But still… even above 1,000 meters, the heat lingered, warm and heavy.
It wasn’t until I entered the gravel section of the Mikabo Forest Road, around 1,300 meters up, that the air finally began to cool.

Honestly, it felt a little unsettling…

31/07/2025

I found myself back at Mt. Dodaira just a day later.

This time, I climbed via Nanae—on gravel—rather than the usual Shiroishi pass route, which I haven’t done in nearly a decade. That made it feel even more special.

And yes, it’s incredibly cool and refreshing up here again today!

30/07/2025

Today’s private ride with Time Travel Cycling took us deep into the mountains of Hinohara Village.
From the summit, we were stunned by a mirage-like view of Tokyo’s skyscrapers floating in the distance.
It felt like catching a glimpse of another world beyond the haze.

This breathtaking route might just make its way into one of Okumusashi Bike Tours’ early-morning hill climbs.

28/07/2025

This morning’s ride ended with the summit of Mt. Dodaira all to myself. At 876 meters, it was wonderfully cool up there!
From there, I continued downhill, exploring new routes through the forest—looking for the next perfect ride.

28/07/2025

[Morning Hill Climb with a View 🌿🚴‍♀️]

Our early morning E-bike hill climb with Okumusashi Bike Tours went perfectly!

With just the right amount of challenge, we climbed deep into the forest on a peaceful mountain road—helped along by our trusty E-bikes. A cool spring to pause and refresh, birdsong in the trees, and finally…

Some truly spectacular views as our reward.

At Time Travel Cycling, we offer private rides like this on request. If you’d like to start your morning above the clouds, just let us know!