This post is the third in a series of places you can get to using the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area). As of August 2022, it's still available for foreign residents to use. Second post here.
If you’re ever out in the countryside in northern Japan looking for something outdoorsy to do that isn’t hiking, consider railway cycling! Located in Akita, the Odate-Kosaka route is a 30-40 minute cycling experience that caters to people of all ages. I mean, the company managing these bikes have thought of the many different combinations of people that would want to ride on this track.
So how did these train tracks end up as bike tracks? Since 1908, the 22km Kosaka Railroad was used to transport copper ore. It even transported passengers for a while until 2009 when it was discontinued. Instead of leaving the tracks to rot, the town of Kosaka and Odate banded together to come up with the idea of using special bicycles on the track. This led to the creation of an unusual sightseeing activity. Which would be the bike of your choice?
To get there:
🚅 Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Akita Station.
🚆 Take the Ou Line Limited Express train from Akita Station to Odate Station.
🚌 Take a bus from JR Odate Station bound for Kosaka Bus Park. Get off at Seifuso Onsen and walk 2 mins to hop on your bike!
Images: Railbike.jp
Header Image: Stay Akita