The ninth recommended ride in the Jitensha Sanpo guide featuring Saitama and Chiba takes a cyclist through quiet country roads and acquaints visitors with lessor known historical sites and shrines that, I came to know by first-hand experience, aren’t even on the radar of those living in the area. This ride also takes in the Arakawa cycling road as well as the cycling road that connects Shinrin Koen to the station on the Tobu Tojo line with the same name. There are some off road opportunities along the Name gawa in Name-cho with a contrast of town traffic around Higashi Matsuyama station. Much of the course is along an established route of shrines and historical grounds marked out by local governments which have erected a series of wooden sign posts that direct visitors from one spot to the next. However the writers of Jitensha Sanpo have also included some spots that don’t even bear names on Google Maps, such as Jigoku Numa, a pond familiar with anglers, and a nearby tree, with at its base is a spirit statue that apparently protectｓ passing travelers.
I rode this route three times before I got a grasp of how to navigate the route without getting lost. I do not believe it is necessary to follow any route to its exact coordinates, but it is nice to know a way which will veer from humdrum trunk roads designed only for travelers covering long distances by motor car. I took copious pictures, so I would like to offer the route which I feel will reap the most satisfaction from those desiring an enjoyable and relaxing day in the countryside.
Practical Points- The route is about 45 kilometers and should take about 3 and half hours to complete. There are plenty of convenience stores along the way to buy anything you may have forgotten. The route can be reached either by heading to Gyoda or Kumagaya on the JR Takasaki line or Higashi Matsuyama and Shinrin Koen on the Tobu Tojo line. The entrance fee to Hyakuana is 200 yen.
We will start from Gyoda Station(行田駅) on the Takasaki line(高崎線) about 30 minutes north of Omiya station. Gyoda is a local stop, so if you ride a rapid train you will fly right by it. The benefit of starting at Gyoda station is that it is situated not more than 2 or 3 hundred meters from the Arakawa cycling road and it is a small station so it is not difficult to get in and out with a bulky cycling bag.
The road from Gyoda Station runs straight to the banks of the Arakawa.
Turn right at the river and head towards Kumagaya.
It is a straight shot to Kumagaya.
When you come to a purple bridge called Arakawa Bashi(荒川橋）veer off the cycling road and pass through the tunnel under the bridge and cross the bridge using the walk way on the right. After crossing the bridge, you will turn right onto the opposite side of the cycling road.
Veer right, down to the tree-lined road.
Pass under the bridge in the distance.
After crossing the bridge turn right onto the cycling road.
As you approach Kumagaya Ohashi veer left onto the parallel road and pass under the bridge. At the next road turn left. You will pass a Suzuki sign and cross a small irrigation ditch.
Veer left onto the road and pass under the bridge.
Turn left at this road and go straight
Follow this road straight until it dead ends and then turn left. After turning left follow the road up the hill and make another left at the second traffic light.
Turn left
Head up the hill.
After turning left at the second traffic light, you will make a right at a nondescript narrow country road, with a cemetery at the corner, after about one kilometer of riding. In the distance on the main road you might glimpse a Lawson at the next traffic light. After turning right you will pass a small shrine on the right. Turn right at the next road and then turn left at the T. At the next wooden sign post turn right.
Turn left. Ride about one kilometer. You will pass a Bosch sign on the right.
Turn right at the next road. There is a crosswalk at the intersection.
At the next wooden post turn right and then make the next immediate left. Soon you will approach a line of statues on the right side of the road and a temple宝光寺 set back from the road. Make a right at the dead end and then make a quick left on the road perpendicular to the statues.
Turn left at these statues.
At the dead end turn right. You will soon approach Izumo No Iwai Jinja on the right hand side. After passing the shrine turn left at the small bridge. Follow this road up the hill and to a dead end where you will turn right and then make a quick left. You will soon approach Shio Kofun on the right.
Turn right.
Izumo No Iwai Jinja
Turn left at the following road.
Turn right.
Turn left
Approaching the mounds of Shio Kofun
At the next intersection make a left and then turn right at the gravel road with a big white sign next to it. Turn right onto the next paved road. You will pass Jigoku Numa and then head to the Name gawa where you will turn left. Some of the way is paved but it is mostly dirt and stone so if you are on a road bike you might want to use route 47 which runs parallel on the left up to the intersection for Name Gawa Yakusho Kita Guchi. Turn left at that intersection.
Turn left at the road up ahead
Turn right
Turn right onto the paved road
Turn left here. There is a big traffic sign for the Name Gawa Yakusho (kita) at the intersection
At the Name Gawa Chugakko (Kita) traffic light turn right. You will soon enter the Shinrin Cycling road which heads directly to Shinrin Koen station. Turn left at the station.
Turn right at the light
Turn left at the station
Turn right at the next road that can cross the tracks and then turn right at the sixth road that you come to. You will cross the tracks once again. Soon you will come to a traffic light for the Higashi Matsuyama Shiyakusho. Turn right and head down to Higashi Matsuyama station and turn left at the light. This road heads straight to Hyakketsu（Yoshimi Town website). Turn right at the dead end and follow the road to the cliff with all of the holes.
Cross the tracks
Turn left at the next road
Cross the tracks again
Go straight through this intersection. Do not turn.
Turn right. City offices are at the corner
Turn left at the station
Follow the river path past Hyakketsu, the pet cemetery, and onsen. Make a right at the firing range. Turn left at the third traffic light and then turn left right after you pass the small restaurant with the blue sign. You will pass Yoshimi Kanon and soon arrive to Hakocho lake. Follow the paved road to a small shrine and turn left. Go straight past Yoshimi Fureai Park and soon you will see the banks of the Arakawa. Turn left up the banks. Cross at the next available bridge and follow the cycling road back to Gyoda station.
Head through the white posts
Turn right
Turn left. There is a small post office on the right
Make a quick left right after you pass the restaurant
Turn left at the shrine in the woods
Back to the station
