Transportation Rules
SignalMajor intersections are equipped with traffic lights.
For automobiles and bicycles

For pedestrians

ColorMeaning

Green Proceed
Yellow StopENGLISHEDITION

RedStop

Road Sign
You will notice numerous signs along the road.
Follow the rules as noted on the signs for a safe
cycling experience.
Road closed

Pedestrians, automobiles, motorcycles, andbicycles prohibited.

Road closed to vehicles
Do Not Enter

Road closed to automobiles, motorcycles,and bicycles

Vehicles prohibited

No automobiles, motorcycles or bicycles
beyond this point.

Road closed to bicyclesPedestrian road
Pedestrians only.

Slow down

Automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles:
drive slowly from this point onward.

CAUTION

Mt.Tsukuba

Lake Kasumigaura

The road is closed to bicycles.

Stop

Automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles muststop at the stop line after the sign.

One-way

Automobiles, motorcycles and bicycles may
proceed only as directed.

Road closed to vehicles
Bicycles Allowed

Vehicles noted on the sign are prohibited.
Bicycles allowed.

Road open to pedestrians and bicycles only
Bicycles and pedestrians only.

Bicycle-exclusive road

Indicates road is exclusively for bicycles.

Cycle crossing zone

Indicates bicycle crossing lane.

Bicycle Etiquette>>>> https://www.ringringroad.com

Let’s get bicycle insurance!

那須塩原駅

This cycling road offers something for cycling
enthusiasts of every style!

AccessUtsunomiya Sta.

aysw
res
xpnEabJo

Tochigi IC

Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC

Iwafune Jct
Oyama Sta.

IBARAKI Pref.
Mito IC

Iwase Sta.

Ibaraki Airport

Tsukuba Sta.

(Tsukuba Center)

Tsukuba-Chuo IC
Yatabe IC

Omiya Sta.

Lake Kitaura

Sakura-Tsuchiura IC Lake Kasumigaura(Nishiura)

Ken-O

Joban
ExpresswayTsukubaE
xpressSAITAMA Pref.

Tsuchiura Sta.

ExpresayKozaki IC

JR Joban Line

Tokyo Sta.

Sawara Sta.

Higashssway
i -Kanto Ex pre

CHIBA Pref.

Tokyo Sta.
Haneda Airport

Tokyo Monorail Hamamatsu-choSta.
Keikyu Main Line

Narita Airport!

Put your lights on
promptly at dusk

Wear a helmet

Shinagawa Sta.

Oyama Sta.

JR Mito Line

Iwase Sta.
Tsukuba Center

JR Kanto Bus

Suigo Itako
Bus Terminal

JR Yamanote
Line

Tokyo Sta.
Tokyo Sta.

JR Joban Line
Limited Express
HITACHI/TOKIWATohoku Shinkansen❸Tsukuba Sta.

JR Kanto Bus

JR YamanoteLine❷Cape Inubo

Tsuchiura Sta.

Tsukuba Express

Akihabara Sta.

Do not ride double

Do not ride using
an umbrella

Choshi Sta.

Narita International Airport

JR N

JR Joban Line Limited Express HITACHI/TOKIWA

Tohoku Shinkansen

Drinking and driving
is prohibited

Do not use headphones ortalk on the phone while riding

Narita IC

Chiba Sta.

JR Yamanote Line

Pedestrian property

止まれHaneda
International
AirportAkihabara Sta.

Single file

Daiei Jcta ritaLine

Ueno Sta.

TOKYO Met.

Tsukuba Kasumigauraring ring roadLineimaash
JR K
Itako Sta.
Itako IC

sw

Kawaguchi Jct Misato JCT

Nerima IC

Hokota IC

Safety Recommendations

Tohoku Sh
inkansenwayressExpokuTohMt. Tsukuba

Sakai Koga IC

Kukishiraoka Jct

Use the Internet free of charge
at locations with IBARAKI FREE
Wi-Fi access points!

Keep left

Mito Sta.
Tomobe Jct

ineito L
JR M

Tatebayashi IC

Pacif ic Ocean

Hitachikaihinkoen IC
KashOarai ima Rinka
Kash
ima i RailwayLineayssw
preExtoana-K
Kit

TOCHIGI Pref.

JR JobanLine

Utsunomiya IC

IBARAKI FREE Wi-FiProhibitions (Compliance with the Law)

Full Cycling Route Closest to Tokyo
The total length of the route, if the cyclist chooses to do the entire
thing, is a whopping 180 kilometers! The flat route takes the rider
through many scenic locations including Lake Kasumigaura, Mt.
いわき駅
Tsukuba (one of Japan’s “famous 100 mountains”), as well as to hillclimbing areas in Tsukuba, and more.

The Road Safety Regulations in Ibaraki Prefecture have beenrevised, and there is now a requirement to make an effort toobtain bicycle insurance. Please be sure to take advantage of theopportunity to get bicycle insurance, so that you can ride yourbicycle with peace of mind!

Key Rules

Tsukuba Kasumigaura ring ring roadSTOP❶

At intersections, obey
traffic lights, stop,and check for safety❶W hen crossing an intersection, use the bicycle crossing lane if one isavailable.

Tsuchiura Sta.

❷W
 hen crossing an intersection, you may stay on your bicycle when you do
not block pedestrians; if you are blocking pedestrians, get off of you bicycle
and push it instead of riding.

Iwase Sta.

❸ If there is no bicycle crossing lane, keep to the left as you cross the intersection.

Expressway Bus

Tsukuba Center

Expressway Bus

Tsukuba Center

Expressway Bus

Tsuchiura Sta.

In addition to bicycle and pedestrian routes, Tsukuba Kasumigaura ring
ring road also runs along regular road (national, prefectural, and municipal).
Please be mindful of cars as you are cycling. Embankments at Lake
Kasumigaura (Nishiura and Kitaura) lack guard rails or other structures toprevent falling over the edge. Be especially careful in these areas.

Issued: March 2023
Sports Promotion Division, Department of Residential andEnvironmental Affairs, Ibaraki Prefecture

Emergency Phone Numbers
For accidents or injuries dial 119
For incidents including theft dial 110
気象庁
災害情報サイトJapan Meteorological Agency
Disaster information website

On this route, cyclists can view both Kasumigaura and Mt. Tsukuba.
Take in the massive scale of the Kanto Plain, with its lakes andsatoyama (traditional community-managed forest) landscapes.

Note: Because the distance is relatively long compared to the Mt. Tsukuba area, and there are fewer rest spots
over some stretches, it is important to appropriately prepare and plan ahead of time.

Mt. Tsukuba area recommended sightseeing spots＝Address

Iwase Sta.

JRKasumigaura Hobikisen
Traditional Fishing Boat

Mito Sta.

Line
Mito

Ibaraki Airport

Mt. Tsukuba

IBARAKI Pref.
Tsukuba Sta.

Tsuchiura Sta.

Lake Kitaura
Lake Kasumigaura(Nishiura)

SAITAMA Pref.
Omiya Sta.

Pacif ic Ocean

Tsukuba
Kasumigaura
ring-ring roadLine
imaashJR K
Itako Sta.

anJob
JR

Take a little jaunt

Recommended sightseeing spots in the Kasumigaura area

JR JobanLine

TOCHIGI Pref.

Sawara Sta.

10kmJR N

Recommended Area Sightseeing Spots

Or iginally developed forwhitebait fishing, this boat
is now used for sightseeing
p u r p o s e s. T h e w h i te s a l e s
against the blue sky or setting sun make for some wonderful picture-taking.

Cherry blossom viewing spots
along the Cycling Road
Visitors can enjoy the double pleasure of viewing cherry trees while biking along the Cycling Road, as well as
the sight of the special cherry treesof Sakuragawa City, which have been
named natural national treasures.

Makabe townscape

Ibaraki Flower Park
The Ibaraki Flower Park was established in 1985 and was renovatedin April 2021. It reopened under the concept of not being only a visualexperience, but being an experience where one can enjoy the scenic
beauty of this spot using all five senses. The park features 900 typesof roses and a wide range of flowers from each season. There arealso a variety of activities that take advantage of the rich natural environment of the land, meals featuring ingredients from the local Yasato
area.
200 Shimo-Aoyagi, Ishioka
9:00–17:00 (January to February: 9:00–
Tuesdays (the next weekday16:00)*Park hours differ depending on the season.
where a national holiday falls on a Tuesday), December 31–January 3 ￥ (RegularSeason) Adults: ¥900, Children: ¥300, Preschool-age children: admission free, Pets:¥200 (Rose Season) Adults: ¥1200, Children: ¥400, Pre-school children: admission
free, Pets: ¥200 *Pets refers to all accompanying animals MAP B-3

As the Headquarters of Kashima-jinja Shrine, which oversees
about 600 shrines around the nation, this place is considereda power spot boasting a magnificent nostalgic atmosphere aswell as the weight of history. There are many interesting places
to see here, including the brilliant vermillion-painted two-storygate; striking decorations in the main building; the Mitarashi
pond from which pure, clear water constantly flows; and the very
photo-worthy Ichi-no-torii Gate—one of the largest
such gates standing in the water in the nation.

2306-1 Kyuchu, Kashima

Hotel Meiken

Hotel Bestland

5-8-4 Kenkyugakuen, Tsukuba
MAP A-4

HotelUrban Hotel
Tsukuba

2-1-2 Tsukuho, Tsukuba
MAP A-3

Hotel

Old Kobayashi
House Hitotoki

937 Tsukuba, Tsukuba
MAP A-3

HotelTakasago
Ryokan174 Iwase, Sakuragawa
MAP A-1Hotel

1-11-2 Komatsu, Tsuchiura

HotelBusiness Hotel
Kozakurakan

Hotel

Izumiso

735 Takahama, Ishioka

Suigo Old IsoyaHotelma Residence

Hotel

Guest House
jicca

392-1 Kayouno, Ishioka
MAP B-2

Hotel

Tsukuba GrandHotel

1050-1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba
MAP A-3

Hotel

Miharashi-no-oka
Makabe Uribou

1074-26 Makabecho-sakurai,
Sakuragawa MAP B-2

591 Itako, Itako

Hotel

Hotel Mark-1
Tsukuba

5-13-5 Kenkyugakuen, Tsukuba
MAP A-4

Hotel

Hotel Nikko
Tsukuba

1-1364-1 Azuma, Tsukuba
MAP B-4Bell's Inn
Tsuchiura

6-5 Yamato-cho, Tsuchiura
MAP B-7Hotel

4-5-1 Sakura-machi, Tsuchiura

A cyclist-friendly hotel

Hotel

MAP F-1

Oarai Isosaki-jinja
ShrineSuigo Itako Ayame Gardens

MAP C-3

2-1-29 Fuchu, Ishioka

MAP B-7605-4 Aza Onuma, Mawatari,
Hitachinaka
9:30–17:00 (subject to change
depending on the season)
Depends on the month￥ ¥450(subject to change depending on the season)

MAP F-5

MAP A-7

MAP C-3This spot is now famous, through SNS and othermeans, as one of the “breathtaking sights in theworld that you want to see before you die.” At
Miharashi-no-oka inside the park, the blue nemophila (“baby blue eyes”) bloom from mid-April
through early May. In October, the burning bush
creates a gorgeous red blanket over the area.
It’s a must-see! There is also a cycling road inside the park, where visitors can take their own
bicycle or a rental.

Kashima-jingu Shrine

Hotel

MAP A-2

1-10-11 Fuchu, Ishioka

10:00-20:00

Hitachi Seaside Park

This ancient shr ine, built dur ing theHeian Per iod (794–1185), is situatedatop a hill facing the Pacific Ocean. TheKamiiso-no-Torii gate, the place wherethe deit y of this shr ine is believed tohave descended, is popular as a photooppor tunity spot at sunrise as well as
on moonlit nights.

During the Ayame
Festival only

24 hours

Open daily year round ￥ Admission free

MAP E-6

Hotel Alpha theTsuchiura

1-4-26 Minato-machi,Tsuchiura

MAP B-7

Hotel

Hotel New Takahashi Koyadai

3-18-5, Koyadai, Tsukuba
MAP B-5

Hotel

Hotel Shibata

1516 Shingu-minami, Itako

Hotel

Hotel Marroad
Tsukuba

2-24 Johoku-machi, Tsuchiura
MAP B-6

HotelLife Inn Tsuchiura Eki-higashi

1-5-5 Minato-machi,Tsuchiura
MAP B-7

Hotel

Hotel Suikanso

1-8-7 Ayame, Itako

MAP F-1Hotel

1-1-8 Kohoku, Tsuchiura
MAP B-6

Hotel

Hoshino Resorts
BEB5 Tsuchiura

Hotel

Itako Hotel

Guest House
Hotel
Kominka Eguchiya

Hotel Route Inn
HotelKamisu
MAP G-6

Water Garden Resort
HotelCamp & Marina

Aton Palace
Hotel
Hotel

Kitaura Horai Onsen Tsururun
Hotel
Spa & Inn Kitaura Kohanso

Guesthouse
Hotel
fU96

MAP F-6

MAP E-4

MAP E-4

Kohan-no-Yado
Hotel
KogetsuMinpaku
Hotel
TakehoanHotel Hotel Sawaya

Ikoi-no-Mura
HotelHinuma

MAP E-5

Hashimoto
HotelRyokan
1 Nakanobe, Omitama
MAP D-3931-94 Serizawa, Namegata
MAP E-3

1583-2 Hokota, Hokota
MAP E-33604 Minowa, Hokota
MAP E-2

Court Hotel
Mito

2-8-22 Jonan, Mito
MAP E-1

Hotel

96-1 Fujii, Namegata

MAP G-6

194 Aso, Namegata

Hotel3106-15 Shitte, Kamisu

MAP D-43969 Yamada, Namegata

A cyclist-friendly hotel

1-10-7 Ayame, Itako
MAP E-6

MAP F-5

1-12-1 Onohara, Kamisu

1-1251 Migawa, Mito
6:00–19:00 (October 1st to mid-February, 7:00–18:00)
Open daily year-round MAP E-1

PLAY atré Tsuchiura 3F, 1-30
Ariake-cho, Tsuchiura MAP B-7

MAP E-63183-3 Nikkawa, Kamisu

Considered one of Japan’s three finest gardens, approximately 3,000 trees of about
100 different varieties make this a famoussite for plum blossoms. Every year during
the plum blossom period from late February
to March, a large number of events are held
including the open-air tea ceremony andplum wine festival.

Kohoku Hotel

MAP E-6895-1 Saka, Kasumigaura

Kairakuen Garden

6890 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi
Open daily year-roundA cyclist-friendly hotel

1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba
9:20–16:40 (depends on the day ofOpen daily year-round ￥ One-way:week and season)¥590, Child one-way: ¥300, Round-trip: ¥1070, Child round-trip:¥540

MAP C-3

10:00–20:00(Open daily Year round)

1-5 Ayame, Itako

MAP B-2

Hotel Hashimoto
Rou

Shower and changing rooms

2083 Kuno-cho, Ushiku
March to September:9:3017:00(Saturdays,Sundays and holidays,9:30-17:30)/OctoberOpen daily year-roundto February:9:30-16:30￥ ¥800 (Children: ¥400) MAP B-5

MAP B-4

Hotel

Coin-operated lockers

Inquiries on bicycles available for rent at ring-ring square tsuchiura
Cycle Spot Le Cyc Tsuchiura location

Approximately one million bulbs in 500 different varieties of iris—white, purple, and yellow—burst into bloom in season. During the annual Suigo-Itako
Ayame Festival, which goes from late May–late June, numerous traditional events are also held including the yomeiri-bune “rowboat witha bride” and excursion rowboats.

1 Tsukuba, Tsukuba9:20–16:40 (depends on the day ofOpen daily year-round ￥ One-way:week and the season)¥750, Child one-way: ¥380, Round-trip: ¥1300, Child round-trip:¥650

Hotel Sosha

PLAYatré TSUCHIURA, 1-30 Ariake-cho, Tsuchiura

At 120 meters, this is one of the world’s tallest
bronze statue, the Guinness Book of world record
holder.
Inside of it, an elevator takes visitors up to 85 meters off the ground. And you can enjoy seasonal
flowers in the nearby gardens. There is a special
light show and fireworks display in summer and on
the last day of the year.

Cable car side, ropeway side,and Tsutsujigaoka parking lotMt. Tsukuba, regarded as a symbol of Ibaraki
Prefecture, is known for its twin peaks, called the“male” (Nantai, 871 meters) and “female” (Nyotai,877 meters). Visitors are treated in early spring to
the plum blossoms, and to the colored leaves in
the fall—and at all times to the spectacular viewof the Kanto Plain from the summit accessible byropeway and cable car. The hotel at Mt. Tsukuba
Hot Springs offers different types of hot springs aswell as baths with breathtaking outdoor views.

HotelThis spot includes a huge rangeof services for cyclists including
not only a bicycle shop and rental
cycle service but also space for bicycle assembly as well as self-maintenance, shower rooms, coin-operated lockers, changing rooms, andmore. In addition, it also provides
infor mation on cycling courses
as well as sightseeing spots andevents in the cities, towns, and villages along the route.

●Inquiries about Facilities
TEL 029-835-3000
10:00–18:00 (weekdays only)

Kasumigaura Lakeside, Omitama City (locatedTwice annually in midnear Shimo-Tamari)
May and mid-July, around 18:00 MAP D-3

911 Iitsuka, Makabe-cho, Sakuragawa

Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car

Temporary storage space forrental bicycles

ring-ring square tsuchiura

MAP D-4

The “Diamond Tsukuba” sunset view happens
when the sun goes down between the mountain’s
double peaks to create a magical scene on the surface of Lake Kasumigaura. Diamond Tsukuba canbe seen twice a year, in mid-May and Mid-July.

MAP A-2

Mt. Tsukuba

Bicycle shop

Diamond Tsukuba

Located near the Makabe rest area, the lookand layout of this area —populated with historic buildings and structures including warehouses and gates— has remained largely
unchanged since the Edo Period (1603–1867).
There are also old-fashioned Japanese-styleconfectionaries and restaurants, making thisa combination of nostalgic townscapes anddelicious food!

Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway

Tsuchiura, Kasumigaura,Namegata
From late July to late November. ￥ ¥2000 (Children: ¥1000)

Ushiku Daibutsu(Great Buddha)

Direct Access from Tsuchiura Station!
Check Out the Tsukuba Kasumigaura ring ring road Cycling Center

ring-ring square tsuchiura＝Opening hours￥ ＝Cost＝ClosedOyama Sta.

＝Restaurants

Kas
Oarahima Rini Kas kaihim Railwa Lin aye

This cycling course stretches primarily along Lake Kasumigaura, which is thesecond biggest lake in Japan. Have fun cycling as you take in the blue skies
and sparkling lakewaters. On a clear day, visitors can take in views of Mt.
Tsukuba and the Ushiku Daibutsu (Great Buddha) from the opposite coast.
There are also plenty of spots to view the sunset along the route, and lots ofgreat local food as well.

＝Coin-operated lockers＝Hot springs / bathing facilities

a ritaLine

This course runs along the old Tsukuba railway line, offering grand views of thepeaks of Mt. Tsukuba. The majority of the route is geared toward bicycles andpedestrians. Designed for all cyclists including beginners, the course also features
a number of rest areas using the remnants of old station buildings. There is also
the Tsukuba hilly course along the railway line—making the experience incredibly rich-and-varied! It should be noted that cycling in springtime amongst thecherry trees is a truly magical experience.

＝ShowersL ine

Kasumigaura Area＝Toilet

TsukubaExpressMt. Tsukuba Area

Whole Area of theTsukuba Kasumigauraring ring road＝Parking lot

Tohoku Sh
inkansen

Tsukuba Kasumigaura ring ring road Cycling Course Overview

BasicCourse

Key Icons

Tsukuba Kasumigaura ring ring road is an extensive cycling course stretching approximately 180 kilometers along the old Tsukuba railway line and thecoastal roads of Kasumigaura. Cyclists are treated to the area’s magnificent
nature, scenic views, historic and cultural ruins, and much more.

Kasama Inari-jinja Shrine
This shrine is famous as one of the three impor tantinari shrines in Japan. In average years, in early May,
the two wisteria trees known as the Yae-no-Fuji andOfujii come into full bloom. At the nearby Kasama
Tsutsuji Park, visitors can take in the brilliant red azalea lighting up a small hill. The inari-sushi featuringsoba, walnuts, and more and other local specialties
are highly recommended.
1 Kasama, Kasama
MAP C-1

Open daily year-round

Aqua World Ibaraki Prefectural
Oarai AquariumThe aquarium has more different kinds of sharks than any other aquarium inJapan, as well as approximately 68,000 specimens of 580 different varieties ofsea life including sunfish and penguin. In addition to exhibits such as a large tankhousing approximately 20,000 fish belonging to 80 different varieties, the aquarium also holds live events featuring dolphins, sea lions, and much more.
8252-3 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi, Higashi-Ibaraki-gun
9:00–17:00
Open daily year
round (closed on certain days in June and December) ￥ Adults: ¥2000 / Elementaryand junior high school students: ¥900 / Toddlers: ¥300 / Children 2 and under: admission free MAP F-1

Shiosai-no-yado
Marutoku

4318 Isozaki-cho, Hitachinaka
MAP F-1

Hotel

AJIGAURA
CLUB9 Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka
MAP F-1

Hotel

KAMENOIHOTEL Oarai

7986-2 Isohama-cho,Oarai-machi MAP F-1

Hotel

Hotel Lakeview
Mito

1-6-1 Miyamachi, Mito
MAP E-1

Hotel

Hotel New
Hakuaki

4604 Isozaki-cho, Hitachinaka
MAP F-1

Hotel

Resort Oarai
Matsumoto64-83 Onuki-cho, Oarai-machi
MAP F-2

HotelOarai Hotel
Annex Gyorai-an

6885 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi MAP F-1

Hotel

Hotel Terrace
the Garden Mito

1-7-20 Miyamachi, Mito
MAP E-1

Hotel

Terrace Inn
Katsuta

1-3 Katsuta-chuo, Hitachinaka
MAP E-1

Hotel

Minshuku
Hamano-ya

78 Onuki-cho, Oarai-machi
MAP F-1

Hotel

Tobitaso8226-6 Isohama-cho, Oarai-machi MAP F-1

Hotel

Hotel Crystal
Palace1-22-1 Odaira, Hitachinaka
MAP E-1

Hotel

Rest House
Sakyu

2228-2 Ajigaura-cho, Hitachinaka
MAP F-1

HotelSailors

163-6 Onuki-cho, Oarai-machi
MAP F-1