WAKAYAMA
Riding a World Heritage Site on Japan's Largest Peninsula
OVERVIEW
Wakayama Prefecture is located in the Kansai region of Japan, occupying the southwestern part of Japan’s largest peninsula, the Kii Peninsula. This area offers the best of both worlds: beautiful coastlines and densely forested mountains.
The Kii Peninsula, as the southernmost point of Japan’s main island, Honshu, enjoys a relatively mild climate, with coastal areas popular as resort destinations. Inland, you’ll find the World Heritage sites of Mount Koya and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, where you can experience Japan's original mountain landscapes.
Wakayama is also very welcoming to cyclists, actively promoting the area with a variety of recommended routes, dedicated cycle stations, cyclist-friendly accommodations, and one of Japan’s rare cycle trains. The prefecture offers a range of facilities and services to support cycling enthusiasts.
800 km of recommended routes
Wakayama Prefecture has established a total of 800 km of cycling routes. These varied routes span mountains, rivers, and coastlines, marked with blue lines on the roads to indicate recommended paths for cyclists. The routes consist of dedicated cycling paths and low-traffic roads, providing a safe and enjoyable cycling experience.
Cycle Stations
Throughout the prefecture, cycle stations offer the following services:
- Air pumps and repair tools available for loan
- Bike racks and benches
- Restroom facilities
- Drinking water stations
*Services vary by facility; please see details here.
Cyclist-Friendly Accommodations
Certified cyclist-friendly accommodations across the prefecture offer:
- In-room bike storage or secure backyard storage
- Loaner air pumps and repair tools
- Temporary baggage storage before check-in and after check-out
- Acceptance and shipping of packages, including bicycles
- Washing machines or laundry services
- Designated bike cleaning and maintenance areas
*Services vary by facility; please see details here.
Train with Bikes
Wakayama Prefecture also offers one of Japan's few regular "cycle trains," allowing cyclists to board trains with their bikes without disassembly. These designated lines cover nearly the entire coastline of Wakayama, enabling cyclists to explore an even wider area. *Boarding procedures vary by line; please see details here.
WEATHER
VIDEOS
VIEWS YOU CAN SEE
To learn more about cycling in Wakayama, please visit the official website