It’s all happening for mountain bikers in Hakuba this summer. New trails, freshly revamped gondolas, the biggest MTB and gravel bike comps the region has ever seen, it seems the entire town has spent the last few months putting a lot of effort into transforming the Hakuba valley as much as humanly possible.
And what better way to celebrate and check out the new sights and sounds than cycling your way through Hakuba this summer! Time to soak in some sun, check out the huge collection of events, tear up some of the new mountain bike trails, and of course, spend some time with the ones you love.
If you’re heading to Hakuba this green season, here’s a few cycling spots that we recommend slotting into your itinerary:
Hakuba Iwatake New Gondola
If you’re a mountain biker who frequently visits Hakuba during the green season, you’ll know there’s no better spot to shred than Iwatake’s green park. Offering panoramic views of the valley from 1,289 metres up, courses suitable for varying skill sets, and multiple trails running perfectly parallel to each other, Iwatake is an awesome spot to go and shred (or race) a few buddies.
Which will be now made all the more easier by the installation of a brand spanking new ¥2.1 billion yen gondola currently being installed immediately next to its existing 35-year old gondola.
Featuring larger gondolas with expanded space and comfort, Iwatake’s newest gondola offering makes it even easier for visitors to pack in two mountain bikes and get a lift to the top of the trails over the summer months.
Not only that, the newly updated system will also aim to increase efficiency, with the updated line shortening the commuting time up the hill by one minute.
At this stage, Iwatake’s new gondola system is set to start spinning in time for the upcoming winter season, helping to make an already incredible winter destination even better come next summertime.
Norikura Bike Park
For those looking for a more relaxed cycling experience, Hakuba’s Norikura Bike Park hosts a variety of trails, each offering their own unique experiences and obstacles. From pump tracks and freestyle bike parks, to forest runs and rock obstacles, Norikura’s bike park offers riders a little piece of everything, including a large selection of family-friendly trails which lead to various waterfalls around the highlands such as the Sanbondaki, a set of three waterfalls that flow adjacently into the same stream.
Having been constructed in 2014 by the Trail Research Group and the Norikura Tourism Association, Norikura Bike Park also offers the region’s first ever mountain bike trail constructed within a national park, giving visitors the opportunity to soak in the region’s natural beauty and wildlife, while also fanging downhill at high-speeds – a win-win situation, really.
E-Bike Ride to Lake Aoki
Cycling doesn’t have to be huge back-drops, gnarly downhill descents and 15 ft kickers, it can also involve scenic cruises through the countryside, relaxed picnics, and exploring new sights with the family.
In saying that, it can sometimes be hard actually wrangling the family into said bike ride. As we all know, nothing quite gets the kids excited like, ‘hey kids, who wants to go ride 20km on a bike?’…
20 km on an e-bike, however, is a much easier sell – “it’s got a motor, it’s pretty much a motorbike!”
.jpg "DSC09363-(1).jpg")
So if you’re planning on going for a scenic cruise around the valley, e-bikes are an eco-friendly, cost effective transport solution that also a great source of exercise.
And if you’re exploring Hakuba on an e-bike this long weekend, you absolutely can’t go wrong with a visit to to Lake Aoki.
Only 10 km south of Hakuba, the heart-shaped Lake Aoki sits as one of the cleanest lakes in all of Japan, with its clear blue water receiving its source from natural springs, rain and snow-melt from Japan’s northern alps.
For families, Lake Aoki boasts an unforgettably picturesque ride, along which you’ll most likely spot a bunch of local wildlife and have access to free camping stoves, where you and the family can sit down and enjoy a mid-ride barbecue.
Community Rides
If you follow our social media channels, you would have most likely seen the huge success that our community bike rides in Niseko have had over the past few months.
Well, as they say, good things come to those who wait, and Hakuba – you’ve done your waiting.
Without further ado, Rhythm Japan is excited to announce that we will now be offering community bike rides in both Hakuba and Furano!
For our Hakuba legends, we will be hosting e-bike rides every Wednesday at 9 am. As with Niseko, we will be offering discounted bike rentals for these sessions and all are welcome. We will also be offering community mountain bike rides, followed by happy hour drinks at Frosty’s Hakuba every Friday between 4 – 6 pm.
Please note: BYO Iwatake pass for Hakuba mountain bike community rides.
If you’re reading this from Furano and feeling a bit left out, fear not, we will also be offering e-bike community rides, followed by happy hour drinks at White Room, each Friday between 4 – 6 pm!