KATATETSU ROMAN KAIDOU ROUTE

This route has a nostalgic feel as it runs along the Katatetsu Roman Kaido, created from a disused railway line, and then along the banks of the Yoshii River. There is much to enjoy, including a dip in the waters of Yunogo Onsen, fresh seafood at Hinase, or why not try a plate of local specialty Tsuyama horumon udon noodles in the castle town of Tsuyama?

Level
★★☆Intermediate
Distance
76km
Highest elevation
125m
Total elevation gain
468m
Average time required
2h30m
Recommended season
Spring Cherry blossom season

Sample local delicacies along this nostalgic route that covers the Katatetsu Roman Kaido and the Yoshii River.

ROUTE MAPRoute map

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ROUTE VIEW POINTRoute view point

View of Hinase Bay (Bizen City)

With a total length of 765 m, the Bizen♡Hinase Bridge links Bizen-Hinase Town with Kakuijima Island. From the bridge, you can see a sight unique to Hinase; countless oyster rafts bobbing in the sea.

Hinase Kakioko (Oyster Okonomiyaki) (Bizen City)

Detailed Information

This local dish is made only during winter months using oysters caught fresh each day. The fresh oysters are succulent even after being cooked, and add a luxurious taste to this special okonomiyaki.

Bizen Pottery (Bizen City)

Detailed Information

Bizen pottery is made without using any glaze and is simply baked at high temperatures. Of the six ancient kilns of Japan, Bizen is the oldest of them all.

Katatetsu Roman Kaido (Wake Town)

This cycling road runs for 34 km and was created using the former Katatetsu railroad tracks. Aspects of the road’s former life are still apparent, as you can see station buildings, platforms, and signals along the way.

Wake Ugaidani Onsen (Wake Town)

Detailed Information

With a high sulfur content, this onsen hot spring is famous even beyond Okayama for its healing and beautifying properties including easing neuralgia, and joint and muscle pain as well as improving sensitivity to cold and relieving fatigue.

Yunogo Onsen (Mimasaka City)

Detailed Information

The waters of Yunogo have been famed since ancient times for their miraculous healing properties and the town has been adored as a health resort for many years. Among the three springs in Mimasaka City, Yunogo is the only chloride spring, with just a slight saltiness and light sulfurous odor. A free foot spa in the center of town is popular with tourists.

Joto Historical Preservation District (Tsuyama City)

Detailed Information

Joto is the eastern entrance to the historic castle town of Tsuyama and faces the former Izumo High Road. It was once the home to the merchants and artisans of the town. The hook-shaped winding streets and the lanes still bearing their ancient names really make the atmosphere feel like an old castle town.

Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) (Tsuyama City)

Detailed Information

The stone walls of the former Tsuyama Castle still stand proud today with a height of approximately 10 m and stones placed intricately together forming a maze-like warren of lanes across a wide area. Even from a distance, it is possible to make out the overlapping layers of these walls. The park is famous as one of western Japan’s most beautiful spots in spring when cherry blossoms bloom, and has earned a spot as one of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom sites.

Shurakuen Garden (former villa garden of the feudal lord of Tsuyama) (Tsuyama City)

Detailed Information

This traditional strolling garden was commissioned by Mori Nagatsugu, the second feudal lord of Tsuyama, who invited a master gardener from Kyoto to add his finishing touches. The garden is said to imitate that of the Sento Imperial Palace in the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. It was given its current name in 1870 and entrance is free.

Tsuyama Horumon Udon (Tsuyama City)

Detailed Information

Tsuyama has long been a place where wagyu cattle have been bred and this is why it has always been possible to source delicious and fresh offal from the local sashu beef cattle. More than 50 restaurants in Tsuyama offer this special dish, with each one differing slightly depending on the chef.

ACCESSAccess to start and finish point(s)

START

Kashirajima

Hinase, Hinase-cho, Bizen City 701-3204

Detailed

●Via car:
Approx. 10 minutes from Bizen IC on the Okayama Blue Line to Hinase Port, then approx. 25 minutes by ferry
●Via train:
From JR Okayama Station
Approx. 60 minutes to JR Hinase Station, get off at JR Hinase Station, walk approx. 10 minutes to Hinase Port, then approx. 25 minutes by ferry

GOAL

Tsuyama Station.

178 Otani, Tsuyama City 708-0882

Detailed

●Via train:
From JR Tsuyama Station
Approx. 90 minutes to JR Okayama Station

PARKING SPACEParking lots around the start and along the route

Parking

  • Bizen Municipal Parking Lotスタート地点付近
    Hinase, Hinase-cho, Bizen City 701-3204
  • Bizen City Cycling Terminal
    1011-3 Nishikatakami, Bizen City 705-0021

    Detailed

  • Wake Municipal Station Parking Lot
    572-17 Fukutomi, Wake-cho, Wake-gun 709-0442
    Parking lot: Approx. 40 cars (paid)
  • Wake Ugaidani Traffic Park
    681-1 Masubara, Wake-cho, Wake-gun 709-0452
    Parking lot: Approx. 110 cars (free)

    Detailed

  • Mimasaka City General Athletic Park
    1200 Nakayama, Mimasaka City 707-0061

    Detailed

HOTELRecommended hotels for cyclists

  • Wake Ugaidani Onsen, hot spring

    Hotel image

    Address
    666-1 Masubara, Wake-cho, Wake-gun 709-0452
    TEL
    0869-92-9001
    HP
    Hotel Website
  • Chikutei

    Hotel image

    Address
    622-1 Yunogo, Mimasaka City 707-0062
    TEL
    0868-72-0090
    HP
    Hotel Website
  • The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Villa

    Hotel image

    Address
    30-1 Sange, Tsuyama City 708-0022
    TEL
    0868-24-2111
    HP
    Hotel Website
  • Nishikien Ryokan

    Hotel image

    Address
    840-1 Yunogo, Mimasaka City 707-0062
    TEL
    0868-72-0640
    HP
    Hotel Website
  • Kifu no Sato

    Hotel image

    Address
    180 Yunogo, Mimasaka City 707-0062
    TEL
    0868-72-1523
    HP
    Hotel Website

KURASHIKI TAMANO
SEASIDE ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE1

Distance
90km
Highest elevation
219m

Kurashiki-Tamano Seaside Route

BICCHU AROUND
HISTORICAL VISITING ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE2

Distance
108km
Highest elevation
409m

Bicchu Around Historical Route

OKUKIBI
YAMABIKO ROUTE

Level / ★★★ Advanced

ROUTE3

Distance
83km
Highest elevation
451m

Okukibi-Yamabiko Route

MANIWA SHINJO
YAMANAMI ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE4

Distance
100km
Highest elevation
539m

Maniwa-Shinjo-Yamanami Route

KATATETSU
ROMAN KAIDOU ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE5

Distance
76km
Highest elevation
125m

Katatetsu Romantic Road Route

OKAYAMA KAGAMINO
THROUGH ROUTE

Level / ★★★ Advanced

ROUTE6

Distance
114km
Highest elevation
791m

Okayama-Kagamino Traverse Route

KIBIJI
CYCLING ROUTE

Level / ★☆☆ Beginner

ROUTE7

Distance
25km
Highest elevation
26m

Kibiji Cycling Route

HIRUZEN-KOGEN
HEIGHTS CYCLING ROUTE

Level / ★☆☆ Beginner

ROUTE8

Distance
29km
Highest elevation
135m

Hiruzen Kogen Heights Cycling Route

Recommended by local towns and villages 37 mini routes

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