Goose-watching Cycle Tour to Miyajima Pond

Posted on May 11, 2017
106 2

Posted on May 11, 2017

106 2
300km

Distance

5 days

Time

2200m

Ascent

450m

Highest point

4/10

Difficulty

100%

Paved

In late-April and early-May, thousands upon thousands of migratory geese make a stop-off at Miyajima Pond at the western reaches of Bibai City, just 50km northeast of Sapporo City. This happens to be around the time of the Golden-Week public holidays in Japan. This makes for a perfect excuse for an uber-extended weekend cycle tour of up to four or five days. The weather can be very changeable at this time of the year – in 2013 we did a similar trip out this way, and had rain almost every day. During the trip this year, we had scorchingly hot weather. But if you manage to catch the geese at the peak of their population, it can be a spectacular sight.

Last updated May 13, 2020

Route Map

Route Overview

Here, I outline a 5-day, leisurely bicycle touring route around the Iwamizawa-plains area northeast of Sapporo City in Hokkaido, Japan. The route starts and ends in central Sapporo – there’s no need to take public transport on this trip. While the main draw of this route is the migratory geese at Miyajima Pond – only there during the end of April and start of May – the trip can be enjoyed year-round (so long as you have proper snow-cycling gear in the winter). You’ll experience some of the classic topography of the relatively developed area to the northeast of Sapporo – home to intensive agriculture, rivers, and sleepy traffic-free side roads. The route could easily be shortened to be completed in a three-day weekend, or even just an overnighter if just visiting the pond.

Daily Route notes

Comments | Queries | Reports

Done this route or parts of it? Thinking of doing it? Please post any feedback or queries here. Thanks!

2 thoughts on “Goose-watching Cycle Tour to Miyajima Pond”

  1. Great post as usual, Rob. Thanks for sharing!

    It’s weird being finally home and then reading about yet another one of your adventures. It feels like I should still be living on the road!

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REGION: The general mountain/geographical region the route is in.

BEST MONTH(S): Time of year a route is suited to visiting. Some pop all season, some are more limited.

DIFFICULTY: How strenuous a route is, and how technical it is. Full details here.

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Goose-watching Cycle Tour to Miyajima Pond Difficulty Rating

Category

Grade

Points

Strenuousness

Vertical Gain

D

25

Time ascending

D

0

Technicality

Altitude

D

0

Hazards

D

Navigation

D

Totals

25/100

GRADES range from A (very difficult) to D (easy). Hazards include exposure to avalanche and fall risk. More details here. Rating rubric adapted from Hokkaido Yukiyama Guidebook 北海道雪山ガイド.