One of my favorite cycling day trips is the ride from Uji to Otsu. Although the road passes through the mountains, it is surprisingly flat and easy going. The scenery is wonderful, especially in autumn, when these photos were taken. The ride is about 32 kilometers from Uji Bridge to Hama-Otsu. The road takes you up to Amagase Dam, then along the Uji and Seta Rivers until you reach Lake Biwa. A wonderful bike path along the lake front will take you to Hama-Otsu. If you time your ride right, you can end your day with a beautiful Lake Biwa sunset!
- 1 min read
Autumn Scenery Between Uji & Otsu
Easy cycling through incredible riverside scenery

By Cathy Cawood
Community writer

A gravel slide into the river breaks up the autumn-hued trees

Parts of the road wind around, but the grade is mostly not steep

A suspension bridge over the river

You can cross this bridge, but there is nothing on the other side any more

Such beautiful scenery!

Another bridge

Autumn colors

A derelict thatched cottage surrounded by trees

Entrance to Cassiopeia Riding Park

Huge weir gate on the Seta River

Pampas grass against the evening sky near Ishiyama
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Iain Stanley
10 years ago
Anywhere to rent bikes if you don't have your own?
Sorry, I don't know. But it's not a popular cycling route, so maybe not. If you go from Kyoto (as I always did) you can do a big loop, but it means riding over Keage Pass at the end of the day. You could always reverse the direction, and take on the big hill first ;-)
Everyone should own a bike!
Iain Stanley
10 years ago
Indeed they should, but trying to get my mama chari on the plane from Miyazaki might prove tricky.....
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