Please Read Carefully
*Cycling inside the Kamikochi Area is not permitted beyond the bus terminal.
*Parts of Route 158 from Takayama to Kamikochi are closed to bicycles (Abo-Toge toll road). There is an alternate route available, but that route is sometimes closed due to heavy rain. Please use caution while planning your route.
*As long as you have a bicycle bag, you can take your bike on the bus to Kamikochi or for 270 yen, you can take it on JR trains (same for up to 1,000 km)
Getting to Matsumoto or Takayama
Cycling in Japan is a great way to get around but also offers some unique challenges. The first challenge being the climb. About 70% of Japan is mountainous and Kamikochi is deep in the mountains.
Cycling from Matsumoto to Kamikochi is possible on National Route 158 but please use caution as it is a busy highway and be prepared for many narrow tunnels as you climb up the mountain. You will want head and tail lights for the tunnels some of which are over 1 km long. From Matsumoto, it’s about a 50 km ride (one-way) with about 1,000 m of climbing (a little more because it is not all uphill), we recommend making the most of your climb by staying several days.
