There are few better ways to see Japan than by bike: the well-kept roads, variety of scenery and low environmental impact provide perfect courses for all kinds of travelers. From expert cycling itineraries to local biking routes to easy roads for family fun, riders of all levels can find their personalized, no-carbon-footprint route throughout Japan.

© Awaji Island Tourist Association

For the experienced cyclist, the Pacific Cycling Road is one of Japan’s National Cycling Routes, totaling more than 924 miles across six different prefectures: Chiba, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie and Wakayama. Multiple hills make for a high-endurance, cross-country ride, while the route provides an in-depth look at the country, passing through both major cities and small fishing villages with a special panoramic view of Mount Fuji.

For the historian cyclist, take on Aizu, part of Fukushima Prefecture, which has strong ties to the ancient samurai culture. Take either the beginners’ 33.5-mile ride or the 122-mile King of Aizu cycling route to see historical sites like Tsurugajo Castle, one of the last strongholds of the samurai, and Ouchi-juku post town, featuring traditional thatched buildings more than 300 years old.

© JNTO

For a true local experience, a popular weekend escape for residents of western Kansai is the Izanagi Course, which loops around part of Awaji Island, starting and ending at Iwaya Port. Along the way, visit Izanagi Shrine, the oldest shrine in Japan and the final resting place of the ancient god Izanagi.

If you are a part of a cycling family, head toward Niseko. Typically known for winter sports, Niseko has warmed up to spring and summer activities with a circuit around Mount Yotei. The 34-mile course is perfect for families, filled with sprawling rural landscapes, daytrips to local onsens and stops at parks like Fukidashi, where visitors can drink fresh spring water straight from the streams.

© JNTO

Finally, for the cyclist who yearns for stunning scenery, another National Cycling Route, the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road, allows travelers to cross from island to island along connecting bridges on the Seto Inland Sea. Along the 44-mile trip, try some kaizoku musubi, or pirate rice balls, modeled after the diet of the Murakami pirates, Robin Hood-esque sailors who guarded the seas in the 15^th–17^th centuries.