Riding in Hokkaido isn't always about perfect conditions. In this episode, I head out into strong winds and end up learning something unexpected: a great ride doesn't have to be long to be meaningful.

That experience leads into a bigger idea, what actually makes Hokkaido different from the rest of Japan. With people and influences from all over the country, Hokkaido has developed a culture that feels unique, even within Japan itself.

If you've ever had a ride that didn't go to plan, or wondered what makes cycling here so different, this one's for you.

Cycling Hokkaido Podcast instagram page......

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Ep.41 Off Base: What are Fukizuka?

pod.link/1717043158/episode/OTZkMmI4NWMtZDdhYy00MTM2LTgzZTgtZmQwMjE1NzBhNDA2

In this episode of Cycling Hokkaido, I kick things off with a quick story from a recent family trip to Tokyo including a visit to the famous Tsukiji Outer Marker and some of the incredible food you can find there.

From there, we get into the reality of spring cycling in Hokkaido and why it's a lot tougher than many riders expect.

Spring might seem like the perfect time to get back on the bike, but here in Hokkaido, the conditions can be challenging. I talk about what it actually feels like to ride this time of year, including cold temperatures, frozen feet and the kind of gear you'll need to stay comfortable.

Of course, we also get into one of the biggest factors: wind. Spring in Hokkaido often means strong, relentless winds that can turn an easy ride into a serious effort.

But it's not all bad news.

I share some of the best places to ride in spring if you want to avoid the worst of the wind, including areas like Daisetsuzan National Park, as well as Lake Toya, Lake Shikotsu and Lake Akan. I also talk about why central Hokkaido, places like Biei, Furano, and Asahikawa can be better options early in the season.

We also touch on the less glamorous side of spring riding, like the garbage that gets revealed as the snow melts, and how road conditions can be rough after winter.

But there's beauty too, melting snow creates stunning waterfalls and dramatic landscapes that you only get at this time of year.

If you're thinking about cycling in Hokkaido in spring, this episode will help you understand what to expect and how to make the most of it.

Cycling Hokkaido podcast Instagram page......

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Planning to cycle in Hokkaido or elsewhere in Japan but not sure what kind of bike to rent, or where to start?

In this episode, I break down the different rental options available across Hokkaido, from casual rides to high-end road and touring set-ups. I also share specific rental services and experiences like Spark Cycling, North Hokkaido Bicycle, Rhythm, Sam's Bikes in Sapporo and Specialized at Escon Field, as well as options beyond Hokkaido such as GS Astuto Rider's House in Gunma and Road Bike Rentals Japan in Osaka.

Whether you're looking for an easy ride around town, a scenic countryside cruise, or a multi-day cycling adventure, choosing the right bike and the right rental provider can make or break your experience.

I talk about where to rent, what to expect in terms of pricing and availability, and how different regions in Hokkaido, and Japan more broadly, offer completely different cycling experiences.

If you're visiting Japan and thinking about riding, or you're already here and want to explore more by bike, this episode will help you figure out the best option for your trip.

Subscribe to Cycling Hokkaido for more tips, routes, and stories from riding in northern Japan.

Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page.....

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Spark Cycling......

https://share.google/xX2goSuST4IHYvbMK

Rhythm Japan.......

https://share.google/azmDcgBc9eIpzqHo4

North Bicycle Hokkaido.....

https://share.google/f6ewxjoPnfjNqKoqd

Sam's Bikes......

www.instagram.com/samsbike/

GS Astuto Rider's House and Cafe....

https://share.google/btGPUvGQ6tHbncrRF

Road Bike Rentals Japan (Osaka).....

https://share.google/LdJWuDdTaK6Q1f7Uv

Snowshoeing up Onuma-yama in the waning of a Hokkaido winter, I joined a group of 14 experienced snowshoers and quickly found myself pushing to keep up on a climb that was as humbling as it was unforgettable.

Through the 7km hike with about 600m of snowshoe hiking I made some new friends and had an excellent day out in nature. Pretty hard to beat that, eh!?

As always, I hope you enjoy and find value in this episode of the Cycling Hokkaido podcast.

Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page......

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

YouTube video link.....

https://youtube.com/shorts/x32__XHH9kQ?si=sriXnYtvSXMDRuzq

In Ep.133 I talked about the top 5 rides in Hokkaido, but not everyone has the time or ability to travel across the island to ride them.

So this week I'm bringing it closer to home with the Top 5 rides you can do starting right from Sapporo.

From classic local climbs to scenic countryside roads and epic coastal adventures, these are rides every cyclist living in or visiting Sapporo should experience.

In this episode I count down:

#5 Mt.Teine

#4 Tobetsu Farmland & Kobayashi Sake Brewery

#3 Jozankei with Nakayama Pass or Asari Pass

#2 Lake Shikotsu

#1 Shakotan

I also reference several previous Cycling Hokkaido podcast episodes that cover many of those routes in more detail and here are those links below.

Cycling Hokkaido podcast Instagram page...

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

#4 Tobetsu Farmland & Kobayashi Sake Brewery

Ep.10 The Ride to Kobayashi Sake Brewery

pod.link/1717043158/episode/MDA3MDkwYWYtMWJjMy00NWNhLWI4ZTEtYTZhNzgxZDA5OGUx

Ep.34 Japanese Festivals in Hokkaido pod.link/1717043158/episode/MGM5YTAzN2QtZjc0ZS00MTk4LWJkYmEtOTBlZmNkZjAyMTdj

#3 Jozankei with Nakayama Pass or Asari Pass

Ep.15 A Pilgrimage to Asari

pod.link/1717043158/episode/M2Q1NDRiOTYtZjUxZi00YjBhLTk1MWUtN2I3MTY1NzczOGU4

Ep.9 Riding Up and Down Nakayama Toge pod.link/1717043158/episode/NzJlMTNlNjItMmQxNy00ZTY5LTlhYjQtMzgwMDdlZDlkNmNl

#2 Lake Shikotsu

Ep.93 Hiking Mt.Eniwadake

pod.link/1717043158/episode/YjA4OWYxYzMtNjFlMy00NDE1LWI3YTItZGY1NzYyZDUxMDIy

Ep.60 The Mysterious Lake Okotanpe pod.link/1717043158/episode/ZjNkOTAxYmEtNmQ3Yy00MDg2LWI0ZWMtMjllNjA4ZWYwN2Qx

#1 Shakotan

Ep.3 Jomon Era Stone Circles in Hokkaido pod.link/1717043158/episode/ZTQyYzdhZDktMzQxNC00OWJjLWE5ZDYtZmYyNjAxNWIzMmE1

Ep.5 Otaru by Bike

pod.link/1717043158/episode/MTU5NWFkZjctNmMxNC00ZjY2LTg1YWItNDRmM2VhNDQ0OGNi

Ep.12 Cycling Yoichi, a Town in Decline pod.link/1717043158/episode/OGNkMTgwMzAtNzI1Yi00NmM3LWJhNGYtZTIxYzA1MDgzNDBl

Ep.38 The Hiyoriyama Lighthouse pod.link/1717043158/episode/NzBhYzg1NGQtMDRjZi00NDVhLThiNTMtNmRjMmQ1ZTIwNTU5

Ep.48 Ebisu Rock & Daikoku Rock pod.link/1717043158/episode/OWQyY2I4ZDAtYzRkMS00ZDQ0LTg1MGUtYzMzODIyZDdiOTQy

Ep.91 The Great Buddha of Otaru pod.link/1717043158/episode/ZmFjMWRjNTAtZTg3ZS00ZTc5LTkwY2MtNTNkNGM1YjgyZDIw

Ep.97 A Super Ride to Shakotan

pod.link/1717043158/episode/OWI3MjdmM2UtYjQ2My00ODgwLWE0M2MtYjA0MjBlNjZkMWVl

Ep.49 Cycling to Shakotan Kamui Misaki pod.link/1717043158/episode/NDZhZTI4NjYtMWVlOS00N2UyLWE2YmMtZTg3YTg0ZTVkNWFi

If you're planning cycling trip to Hokkaido, these are five routes you shouldn't miss.

In this episode of Cycling Hokkaido, I count down my top five favourite rides on the island - from wild coastal roads to rolling farmland and one of the best mountain passes in Japan.

This episode is also a bit of a passport to the podcast. I've previously done full episodes on each of these rides, so if one catches your interest you can find links below to dive deeper into the route, scenery, and ride experience.

Top 5 Rides in Hokkaido

5. Northwest Coastline & Wakkanai

4. Around Mt.Yotei

3. The road to Cape Erimo

2. The hills of Furano & Biei

1. Climbing Mikuni Pass

If you've ridden in Hokkaido before, I'd love to hear your top rides too.

Links......

Northwest Coastline & Wakkanai

Ep.54

pod.link/1717043158/episode/OTQ5NmQxMTItZjJlZi00ZGQyLWJjOTktODY0MDdjZDM5NmM4

Ep.43

pod.link/1717043158/episode/MThmOTBmNGYtOGMxZi00YTA5LThmNmItMmFkN2I5MTg3NDFm

Mt.Yotei rides

Ep.108

pod.link/1717043158/episode/OGYwYWE4NmItYjFmMy00MjNiLThjNmUtMzEwY2Y5NWI2YWFm

The Road to Cape Erimo

Ep.51

pod.link/1717043158/episode/OTM5NWQ4NDctMDBmMi00YjlmLWI3NTctMTg2MjUzODY4MzI1

Furano & Biei rides

Ep.37

pod.link/1717043158/episode/MjQ3NzU3MTUtNzM0OC00ZjA2LWI1MDAtNjI2OGU1ZGI3MDk1

Ep.99

pod.link/1717043158/episode/NmQ5MTNmOWItOTQyNy00ODhkLTkyZGItMDE3NDJiYThhOTk3

Climbing the Mikuni Pass

Ep.110

pod.link/1717043158/episode/MDgzMGM1ZDYtODNiYi00ODBlLWIxOTItNThjZGJkMGE0NzMy

Ep.111

pod.link/1717043158/episode/YTU5NGYyZGQtMWU1Ny00MWJiLWE3OWEtNGUzZGQwYzgyODE3

Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page...

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

The thaw has come to Hokkaido earlier than expected, and the 2026 cycling season is officially underway. March 2nd marked the first ride of the year, with most roads dry and ready to roll...most, not all.

In this episode, Marty talks early-season riding, winter BBQs, the annual return of Tundra Swans, and the legacy of Dr. William S. Clark - the man behind Hokkaido's famous "Boys, be ambitious."

You can check out the photos from the rides on the Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page......

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Have fun out there, folks!

In this episode the contrast between modern culture and traditional Japan is very obvious. Furries holding a photo meet and greet day in front of one of Hokkaido's most iconic buildings, Akarenga was quite the sight. The collision of modern subculture and real history made for a most interesting day.

So much of Hokkaido's history can be found inside the newly renovated Former Hokkaido Government Building known as Akarenga, from the region's past to where it would like to be in the future. It's definitely worth a visit.

Check out this episode of the Cycling Hokkaido podcast.

Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page....

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

In this episode Marty talks about the Hokkaido flag. Most people you'll ever come across have never heard of it and I'm not just talking about travelers, locals seem to know nothing about it. But don't worry folks, I'm here to make sure you know all things Hokkaido and are well informed. So, episode 130 of the Cycling Hokkaido podcast is about the Hokkaido flag and the 2026 Olympic Games. I hope you're having fun out there. Luv ya!

Cycling Hokkaido Instagram page.....

www.instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival was excellent. I love that event and this year it did NOT disappoint. The sculptures were stunning, and I ended up learning more than I expected, from the Jomon era to the history behind Aizu Tsuruga Castle. These days the festival feels more like a rock concert than ever, crowded, loud, and full of energy. In this episode of the Cycling Hokkaido podcast, I take you through the highlights, share what surprised me most, and throw in a few anecdotes that might have you shaking your head.

Cycling Hokkaido podcast Instagram page.....

www..instagram.com/cycling.hokkaido.podcast/

Aizu Tsuruga Castle YouTube video.....

https://youtu.be/HMY60fXzMAQ?si=cPJrjs9nQGUE66kh

Ep.3 Jomon Era Stone Circles in Hokkaido

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pb1kSSNEH8HFVayf4LqhM?si=pmxaMnt3Q2GRHJ7LYsUs1Q

Ep.32 Kiusu Earthwork Burial Circles

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GGSrbVGDMdNuKURBOqGm1?si=ThTyqZyyRtWAw_xs1fUxGw