The Nation's First Cycling Property Directly Connected to a Train Station

Cycling is becoming increasingly popular due to health-consciousness, eco-friendliness, and avoidance of the three densities. An increasing number of regions are striving to "revitalize their towns through cycling. Ibaraki Prefecture has declared itself the "Cycling Kingdom Ibaraki," and Tsuchiura City, the home of the Tsukuba-Kasumigaura Rinrin Road, which offers a view of Kasumigaura and Mount Tsukuba, has long been involved in public-private partnerships.

The JR Tsuchiura Station is the shortest 49 minutes from Tokyo Station by express train. You will be greeted with "Cycling from the station" information at the platform, waiting area, and stairs. The entrance to "Hoshino Resorts BEB Tsuchiura by Hoshino Resorts" is right outside the ticket gate. The hotel, with a total of 90 rooms, is located on the 3rd to 5th floors of the commercial Property "Play Atre Tsuchiura" and had its grand opening in October 2020.

After leaving my luggage at the hotel, I immediately went downstairs to "Le Saik Tsuchiura" (Play Atre Tsuchiura, 1st floor) to rent a bicycle. It would be easier if you make a reservation for bicycle rental (height and desired model) when you make a reservation for accommodation.

Le Cycle Tsuchiura is known as "the bicycle shop in town," and its users range from beginners to experts. Staff/staff members assess the level of bike rental users and provide detailed advice on recommended bicycles, riding tips, course attractions, and cautions.

I rented an E-bike (electric bicycle). This is a type of electrically power assisted bicycle with the enhanced "running function" of a sports bike. It is characterized by being fast, easy, and cool to ride. Among our recommendations, we selected a type that looks stylish and is easy to ride in town.

The manager, Mr. Shohei Arai, said
He sends us off, "Please come and enjoy the wind, sounds, smells, and sights of Tsuchiura, a sacred place for cyclists, with all your senses."

There is also a Property on the basement floor of Play Atre Tsuchiura, complete with showers, lockers, and changing rooms. Together with the cycle store Le Cycle Tsuchiura and the cycle café, it is called "Rinrin Square Tsuchiura" and serves as a fulfilling base camp for enjoying cycling.

World-class "National Cycle Route

The greatest feature of the 180-kilometer-long Tsukuba Kasumigaura Rin-Rin Road is that it is a flat bicycle path. For this tour, we chose the 40-km straight course running in the direction of Mt. This cycling road utilizes the former site of the Tsukuba Railway line, which was discontinued in 1987, and is characterized by the fact that there are no steep undulations or curves.

It is a safe and comfortable course where you can enjoy the view of Mt. Tsukuba and the surrounding countryside without having to worry about traffic signals and crowds of people like in the city. No wonder it is called the flattest bicycle path in Japan, as it is easy for women and cycling beginners.

Tsukuba Kasumigaura Rinrin Road was designated as a "National Cycle Route" in 2019. As a representative of Japan and a cycling route that the world can be proud of, three routes in Japan have been selected as "National Cycle Routes," along with "Biwaichi," which circles Lake Biwa, and "Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road" in the Seto Inland Sea.

The course offers the unique scenery of Ibaraki, including the rural landscape of the Kanto Plain, fields of lotus root and barley, which are the largest producers in Japan. Birds are chirping, trees are rustling, the soil is fragrant, the plants are rich in color, and the sun is dazzling ......, making you feel the full force of your senses. The occasional strong winds are said to be a local characteristic, and the e-bikes provide good support.

Ramen noodles, Japanese sweets, cafes... a full range of bicycle food!

It takes about one hour by e-bike. After an hour of comfortable riding on the e-bike, we arrived at the Tsukuba Rest Area, 20 km one way from Tsuchiura Station. This used to be Tsukuba Station of Tsukuba Railway. In front of the station, there is a slope that leads to the Mt. At the entrance is Matsuya Noodle Shop, which we chose as our lunch spot.

The manager, Yoshinori Kawamura, is a native of the area. He became ill after working in the city and returned to his hometown, which is rich in nature, to begin his noodle-making business.
He says, "That is why I want to continue to provide healthy food made with local ingredients. We are waiting for you to try our handmade noodles so we won't run out.

While making a turnaround on the return trip, we headed to Inaba Sake Brewery, the biggest destination on the course. Unfortunately, because of the bicycles, we cannot sample the local sake, but the "Sake Brewery Café" offers a café menu that includes non-alcoholic amazake specially made at the brewery, coffee freshly brewed with brewing water, and cheesecake from the brewery's birthplace.

The store's interior, which smells of koji (malted rice), was renovated by Nobuko Inaba, the sixth-generation master brewer of the brewery, from a koji room built in 1867, when the brewery was founded. The tables in the café are made from the sake tanks that were used for many years in the production of unrefined sake. The chairs are also tastefully restored from the original vats, creating a wonderful space where one can feel the history of the sake brewery and the love for the generations of brewers.

There is also a store where visitors can choose from a variety of local sake, including "Minanogawa," known as the sacred sake of Tsukuba Shrine, and "Sutera," produced by the sixth generation of brewers. The "Sutera" is characterized by its gorgeous aroma and soft taste.
When asked about the origin of the name, he replied, "'Sutera' means star in Latin. When you look up at the night sky during the brewing season, you see a sky full of stars, which is beautiful and mysterious," says Inaba.

I would like to visit next time to enjoy sake, food, and the starry sky (check in advance for lunch and dinner hours). This time, I heard that "IBARAKI Sato Sake Shop" (see below), which stocks local sake from Ibaraki Prefecture, is located in "Play Atre Tsuchiura," where I will be staying, so I decided to buy some "Sutera" there and enjoy it.

Rinpaku" at BEB Tsuchiura by Hoshino Resorts

After cycling the 40 km round trip, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Perhaps it was the aerobic exercise that made my face look a little refreshed!

We immediately went to "IBARAKI Sato Sake Shop" on the 2nd floor of "Play Atre Tsuchiura" for "Sutera," a famous sake made by Inaba Shuzo. It is a long-established store that offers a selection of local sake from Ibaraki Prefecture. Inside the store is a "kaku-uchi" (corner bar), a standing drinking space where you can casually enjoy a variety of locally brewed sake.

Tomoharu Mimori, manager of the store, said
Tomoharu Mimori, manager of BEB5 Tsuchiura, says, "Each sake produced there has its own story, not to mention the brewery's thoughts and the taste of the sake. I realized that it is my job to convey these stories to Guest/customer, and I enjoy doing so. I share the feeling that it is the people who tell the stories!

Hoshino Resorts BEB Tsuchiura by Hoshino Resorts has a total of 90 rooms. Guest rooms are available in three types: cycle rooms, yagura rooms, and double rooms. Under the slogan "Rinpaku! the inside of the hotel is designed to be spacious and easy to move around with a bicycle, not only in the corridors but also in the Public space.

In addition to the "Cycle Space," a maintenance corner that can be freely accessed at any time,
Free rental services for cyclists, such as a dryer for shoes and laundry helpers, are also attractive. This was conceived mainly by the general manager, Yuta Ohba, who loves bicycles. Services for Guests/customers other than cyclists will also be developed.

The rooms where guests stay are "cycle rooms" where they can bring in their bicycles. Guest/customers can park their bicycles in the corridor, and bike stands are available for rent to bring into Guest rooms, but some Guest/customers prefer to keep their beloved cars by their side 24 hours a day. For Guests/customers who prefer to leave their bikes by their side 24 hours a day, we highly recommend the bike room," said General Manager Ohba. says General Manager Ohba.

The next morning, guests can enjoy a café breakfast at Atre. A breakfast set is available only for guests (served from 7:00 to 11:00). The Station Lobby, as it is called, is also popular with teleworkers and workers who spend early mornings at their computers.

For an Instagram-worthy experience, try the "Fender Fender," a bicycle equipped with a blender, to make your own smoothie (for a fee) or a "melon whole cream soda. The " Morning Sunrise Bike Ride " also sounds like fun. The clean early morning air, the comfort after sports, and coffee and dried sweet potato sweets while enjoying the morning sunrise are just the best, I thought! I thought so. I hope you enjoy your cycling trip!