8,500 yen/person
The rural town of Takahata has been known as Yamagata’s very own fairy tale village due to the whimsical nature of its folklore, and its dreamlike scenic nature. Come with us as we bike through the idyllic Japanese countryside and get a deep look into the daily life of somewhere that while off the beaten path, is certainly somewhere you’ll remember for a lifetime.
The program meets at Takahata Station which is only a 35 minute train ride from Yamagata Station. From there, we will head out and cycle around the town, stopping at local spots of historical significance as well as cultural importance such as the Old Takahata Station, Akutsu Hachiman Shrine, and Uriwari Sekitei Park.
The course is quite flat, and a number of different cycle styles are available, and so everyone from casual riders to cyclist pros are welcome.
After we reach our last stop, we will take a break at a local soba restaurant and enjoy the local cuisine made from the freshest ingredients.
Finally, we will ride back to Takahata Station where we will conclude our adventure for the day. Takahata Station is one of the few train stations in all of Japan to have its own hot spring public bath inside the station, and so feel free to take full advantage of the hot spring facility after a long day of riding!
- Bike Rental
- English-speaking Guide
- Soba Lunch
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Transportation
9:00: Meet at Takahata Station
9:00 – 9:15: Safety instructions and bike adjustments
9:15 – 11:30: Cycle with periodic stops to talk about local history
11:30 – 12:00: Reach the final destination and start heading back
12:00 – 13:00: Soba Lunch
13:00 – 13:50: Bike back to Takahata Station
13:50: Finish
Please note that this is a sample itinerary and actual times and itinerary flow may vary depending on the day.
Due to the remote nature of the region, it is highly recommended that you rent a car when you visit Yamagata Prefecture. However, that isn’t to say that visiting without a car is impossible in the slightest.
Guests who are still hoping to participate in the Rural Takahata Cycling experience without a car can take the train from Yamagata Station, and take the JR Yamagata Line to Takahata Station. The train fair should be ¥680 and the entire journey should take roughly thirty five minutes.
