I’ll be spending some time in Tokyo and, based on social media, it looks like there is terrific riding outside of the city. I’ve been there and done my loops running around the Palace and seen cyclists getting in their loops in the early morning. For my next trip, I’m thinking about getting some riding in. Any suggestions? The Rapha Clubhouse, where I plan to rent a bike for this trip (later when I’m there for a month plus, I’ll bring a bike), has a group ride that’s above my current (& deeply reduced from too much time off a saddle) power. There are plenty of routes, but if I don’t want to do early morning loops around the Imperial Palace, I’m not sure about midday rides in / near Tokyo. I could take a train out because I can make the time for that, but I’d like to make an informed decision. (No, my Japanese isn’t great, nor good, but it’s not nothing.)
Instead of winging it, I hope I can get some wisdom from this august group.
I’ll start with tagging @OreoCookie who, if I remember correctly, has mentioned living in Japan.
I’ve only done a short tour in Japan (in the Alps region), advise on Tokyo is limited to none but I can share a few ideas on train options (sounds like you might already know about these).
Get into the mountains on the Spacia-X train into Shimo-Imaichi Station (near Nikko) and ride up the steep looking one way road to Lake Chūzenji (this is where my tour finished). Time allowing you can keep going up from the lake to ~1,900m. Did see a lot of road riders out that way.
