Gokayama Course[Advanced]

Gokayama Course

1. 

   Start from Shogawa Wood Plaza in Shogawa Water Memorial Park

   A huge waterwheel is the landmark. On the outdoor wooden deck there is a foot bath filled with Shogawa Seiryuu Onsen hot spring water.

   Here you can find bike racks, snacks and souvenirs.

2. 

   If you come by car, please use the parking lot.
   However, please refrain from using the parking during the cherry blossom season from late March to mid-April, and on the second Saturday and Sunday of November due to the Yuzu Festival.

3. 

   Turn right at the Shogawa Wood Plaza parking lot and start the Gokayama Hill Climb!

4. 

   Right after starting, you will climb a slightly steep slope up to Route 156.

5. 

   Once you reach the top of the hill, turn right onto Route 156 towards Tonami.
   *Although the sign says "Gokayama" to the left, on this route you will turn right at this T-junction.

6. 

   After turning right on Route 156, go about 300m and then turn left immediately.

7. 

   As you climb the first hill, you will see a yuzu field on your left.
   The Shogawa area of Tonami City has long been known as a yuzu production area.

8. 

   The magnificent Tonami Plain spreads out behind you. Enjoy a pleasant climb up an open hill.

9. 

   Turn right at sign board, to Inami Roadside Station direction.
   This is the peak of the pass, and will be downhill ahead.

10. 

    Go down the pass and turn left at the first traffic light, "Kitagawa."
    As a landmark, there is Inami Roadside Station on the right just before this intersection.

11. 

    Keep riding for a while and turn left at the "Yamami" traffic light.

12. 

    Turn left and follow the blue line for about 1.5km.

13. 

    At this intersection, turn left towards the mountain.

14. 

    The landmark is a "magnificent view," but please confirm on Google Maps.

15. 

    From here onwards the winding road is easy to ride on with wide lanes and few cars.

16. 

    Heading towards our destination, going up and down a gentle slope.

17. 

    When you see the Gokayama sign, turn left to Route 284.

18. 

    At the Y-intersection, go left towards Gokayama.

19. 

    Go right towards Gokayama and Fukumitsu.

20. 

    There is almost no gradient from the start to this point, so you can enjoy a pleasant run in the rural scenery.

21. 

    You will see a persimmon field on your right.

22. 

    Turn left at the "Ogaya" intersection.

23. 

    Now on Route 304. From here, it's a straight road to our destination.

24. 

    You will see the sign for Gokayama Gassho Village, the finish line of this course.

25. 

    Once you pass the sign, you will see a rest area on your left.
    This is the last water station on the course. Let's recharge the energy for the steep climb ahead.

26. 

    For this Gokayama course, slope is gentle till here.
    However, this is where the difficult part of the Gokayama course begins.

27. 

    The center line changes from white to orange and the climbing lane comes into view.

28. 

    Along orange center line, the road continued to climb, and keep pedaling.

29. 

    If you get tired, you can take a short break at the observation space along the course.

30. 

    Another 9km left to the finish line.

31. 

    This is the highest point on this course. If you go a little further, you will find a tunnel.

32. 

    Once you exit the tunnel, you'll be greeted by a crimson bridge.

33. 

    Once you cross the bridge, you will see a sign for "World Heritage Site Ainokura Gassho Village."

34. 

    Once you pass through the second tunnel, it's downhill to our destination.

35. 

    Only 2km left until the finish line of this course, Ainokura Gassho Village.

36. 

    When you see this sign on your left, turn right to head to Ainokura Gassho Village.

37. 

    You need to turn right near the exit of a left corner on a downhill, so control your speed and be careful not to pass it by.

38. 

    Turn right here and keep going.

39. 

    Just a little bit more to the goal.

40. 

    Be careful with narrows road and tourist buses passing by.

41. 

    The Gassho village come into view.

42. 

    Arrived at Ainokura Gassho Village in Gokayama

    One of the villages registered as a World Heritage Site.

    We have reached the finish line of the Gokayama Ainokura Gassho Village Course! Great job!

43. 

    The fun part after reaching the finish line is recharging the calories burned during the hill climb.
    How about having a Zaru Soba set meal at Matsuya, located within the village.
    The menu includes Zaru Soba noodles, Gokayama tofu, tempura, local cuisine, simmered dishes, rice balls and desserts.
    Matsuya also sells souvenirs, so be sure to check it out.

44. 

    Once you return to Shogawa Wood Plaza, the starting point, you can stop by to enjoy a foot bath or purchase souvenirs.

45. 

    The yuzu soft ice cream, made with yuzu, a Shogawa specialty, is sweet and sour, refreshing, and soothing your tired body.

46. 

    "Yuzumaru," a milk bun made with Shogawa yuzu that can only be purchased at souvenir shops in the Shogawa area, is also popular with many repeat customers.