Nestled in the Japanese Alps, Hida Furukawa is a charming town just 40 km from Takayama, offering stunning landscapes, historic streets, and vibrant cultural festivals like the Santera Mairi Festival. Situated at the foot of the mountains and along a picturesque river, the town is known for its traditional atmosphere, lush rice fields, and rich heritage.
After a morning of strolling through the old streets in a kimono, I set out to explore the breathtaking surroundings from a new perspective — a cycling adventure through Hida Furukawa.
Enjoy Hida Furukawa’s Nature Through a Cycling Tour
I had the opportunity to enjoy this cycling adventure with Satoyama Experience, a passionate team of local guides dedicated to showcasing the culture and natural beauty of Hida Furukawa. Their small-group bike tours (maximum eight people) include an English-speaking guide, bike rental, helmet, and insurance. Depending on your preference, you can choose between a 3-hour 30-minute tour or a 2-hour 30-minute tour, each offering a unique perspective on the region’s breathtaking landscapes and rich traditions.
Satoyama 里山 in Japanese refers to the rural landscape in Japan, a landscape often composed of mountains, small villages, and rice fields. Sato 里 means inhabited place and yama 山 means mountain. This is exactly what I experienced during my bike ride close to Hida Furukawa.
A Cycling Tour: The Best Way to Enjoy Hida Furukawa
Upon arriving at the Satoyama Experience office, 5 minutes from JR Hida Furukawa Station, we were provided with comfortable bikes and helmets to ensure a smooth ride. With a chance of rain later in the tour, they also offered waterproof jackets and pants for just 500 yen, so there was no need to worry about the weather.
The 3.5-hour guided tour covered 17 km through the scenic countryside, with multiple stops where our guide shared fascinating insights about Hida Furukawa’s culture and natural beauty. The atmosphere was relaxed, and our guide’s passion for the region was contagious. We were even joined by two other French cyclists, making the experience even more enjoyable!
Getting to Know Rural and Traditional Japan by Bike
During our visit, our guide Akiko provided an immersive experience into the daily life of the region. She led us to a natural water source, a social hub where the elderly residents of the city gather, fostering a strong sense of community. We also had the chance to admire traditional houses, skillfully constructed without nails, a technique that maintains harmony with the natural surroundings. Throughout the cycling tour, we explored rice fields and learned about the region’s ancestral cultivation methods, while interacting with local farmers. Along the way, Akiko highlighted various mountain-grown vegetables, offering us a glimpse of the region’s unique agricultural heritage.
This enriching travel experience deepened my connection to rural Japan and allowed me to meet the friendly locals, offering a rare perspective on their way of life. If you’re in the Japanese Alps, this excursion isn’t far from Takayama and provides an invaluable opportunity to explore the region’s rural culture.
Satoyama Experience: Key Information
Several bike tours available:
- Standard Tour: 9am – 12:30pm / 2pm – 5:30pm – ¥7,600 per person
- Small Group Tour: 10:15am – 12:45pm – ¥4,900 per person
Inclusions for both tours: Insurance, bike rental, helmet.
Season: From March 20 to December 20
Access:
- 4 hours from Tokyo
- 2 hours from Kanazawa
- 3.5 hours from Kyoto
- 15 minutes from Takayama
Reservations:
- Online booking
- Phone: +81 0577 73 5715
- Email: reservation@satoyama-experience.com
Satoyama Experience also offers other activities, including walking tours in the city, culinary walks, luxury home rentals, and more. You can visit its website for detailed information on the fantastic experiences they offer. And you can also check its Instagram profile for new updates.
After completing the cycling tour in Hida Furukawa, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Experiencing this charming town from a fresh perspective gave me a new appreciation for its beauty and the local way of life. The peaceful landscapes, traditional houses, and the warmth of the people made me realize how much I had missed by simply passing through before. This tour truly offered me an authentic connection with rural Japan, and I’m so glad I took the time to explore it.
Sponsored by Hida City
Translated by: Aika Ikeda
