An easy, safe, and unforgettable cycling experience through Itoshima’s beaches, farms, and cultural highlights
Text & photos: Nick Szasz
Route Highlights:
Shopping street, farmer’s market, farmland, shrine, seaside scenery, beach, cafes, fishing ports, oyster huts, strawberry picking, onigiri shops, sweets shops and awesome scenery.
Length: 40 km
Climbing: 310 M
Route Data (Ride with GPS)
Intro
If you’ve ever been to Itoshima—or even just seen photos—you’ve probably imagined what a wonderful place it must be to explore by bicycle: the coastline, the farm fields, the gentle hills. And you’d be absolutely right! In a recent post, I introduced nearly a dozen places to rent bicycles of all sizes and styles from locations all around Itoshima. But the big question is—where to ride?
To answer that, I’ve created an introductory cycling loop that riders of all abilities can enjoy safely and comfortably while taking in some of Itoshima’s most beautiful scenery.
This route forms a loop, starting at Chikuzen-Maebaru Station, where the Itoshima Tourist Information Center has rental bicycles available. Of course, you can begin and end the ride anywhere along the route, whether you’re using your own bike or renting from a shop near one of the stops (check out our report for rental locations).
I’ve carefully selected roads with as little car traffic as possible. For stretches where cars are unavoidable, many of those sections have dedicated bike lanes or wide walking/cycling paths. This not only keeps things safer but also makes it easy to stop for a break or snap some photos along the way.
This course is designed for everyone to enjoy. That means I chose roads with minimal elevation changes—there are a few gentle slopes, but nothing too challenging. If you’re on an electric-assist bike, you probably won’t even notice them! The full loop takes about two hours of actual riding time, but you’ll definitely want to stop along the way to rest, take photos, explore, or grab a bite to eat. I recommend setting aside at least four hours—or even six—to fully enjoy everything the route has to offer.
In cooler months, starting at 10 a.m. and finishing by 4 p.m. is ideal. In warmer months, starting later and finishing in time to catch the sunset makes for an unforgettable ride.
Below, you’ll find photos from a recent ride (late November) along this route and highlights of a few great places to stop—but honestly, there are so many more! Do some research ahead of time or, even better, just follow your instincts and stop at spots that catch your eye.
The route is available in the popular Ride With GPS app, which is free and easy to use on any smartphone.
A quick reminder: safety first! Please read our guide on bicycle rules and etiquette in Japan. Be respectful of others on the road—pedestrians, drivers, and fellow cyclists. Don’t litter, and please stay off private property.
Now, get out there and explore Itoshima by bike—it’s truly the best way to experience this incredible area!
Date of Coverage: November 2024 (This report is based on our firsthand experience riding the course featured here.)
Pushing Off: Chikuzen-Maebaru Station
JR Chikuzen-Maebaru Station is the main rail hub of Itoshima, easily accessible from Hakata or Tenjin subway stations in as little as 38 minutes without transfers. Check out our detailed report for more on public transportation options to Itoshima.
The Itoshima Tourism Association office is located here, offering maps, pamphlets, and rental bicycles. For a full guide to this and other rental services in Itoshima, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide.
Let’s go!
From Chikuzen-Maebaru Station, head toward the old shopping street. You’ll be tempted to stop for some browsing, coffee, or shopping—enjoy the retro vibe! This is where you say goodbye to the urban scene as we head into the countryside.
Sazanami
Opened in 2022 and housed in a beautifully renovated 200-year-old building, this micro-roastery and specialty coffee shop feels like it’s always been here. Their hand-drip brews are exceptional, and don’t miss their handmade desserts like the popular “adult ginger pound cake”. Map
Itoshima Shoku Panya
Tucked into a narrow backstreet, this husband-and-wife team bakes heavenly loaves of white bread. Cyclists will love their variety of small rolls, perfect for packing as a snack along the way. The bakery prides itself on health-conscious baking, using only natural ingredients without additives. Their bread is free of eggs, honey, and margarine, and instead features butter and pure water sourced from Itoshima. Map
After leaving the shopping area, you’ll ride along a road with some car traffic. Once you cross the bridge over the river, Itoshima’s iconic Mt. Kaya comes into view on your left, and soon you’ll find yourself cycling between peaceful rice fields.
Before going too far, we recommend a stop at Ichiban Densha, a small countryside market specializing in meats but also offering fresh veggies and an excellent selection of bento, onigiri, and takeout meals like gyudon made with their own Itoshima Gyu beef. I especially recommend the beef onigiri—a delicious deal at just ¥250 for two! Map
Mt. Kaya is often called Itoshima’s Mt. Fuji. While there’s a hint of resemblance, it’s best to skip the comparison and simply enjoy the stunning view.
Another great stop:
Shimanoshiki, a direct farmer and fisher market. They offer plenty of bento and deli-style options ideal for takeout. Their seafood bowls are a standout—but be aware, they’re very popular. Arrive early or after peak lunch hours. Don’t miss their tiny but rich and creamy Itoshima yogurt drinks, available in strawberry, lemon, or plain. Map
The roads and scenery just keep getting better and better.
This section takes you along a small river through a gorgeous stretch of farmland.
Homori
Before turning toward Sakurai Shrine, stop by Homori, a popular country diner. They offer a delicious, reasonably priced buffet, as well as a takeout window serving karaage chicken, either as a side or in a bento. We enjoyed ours with a view of the farm fields from their parking lot! Map
Sakurai Shrine
The shrine’s iconic gates are easy to spot. Ride through them and up a gentle hill to the parking area, then walk along the path to the main shrine. I love its compact size and serene, wooded setting. It’s a great spot to take a break—but please don’t picnic here, as eating or drinking on shrine grounds is against Japanese custom. Map
After the shrine, enjoy gliding downhill through more countryside before turning toward the sea.
Now for one of the highlights: a ride along Sunset Road. Conveniently, there’s a raised pedestrian and cycling lane, making it both safe and easy to stop for photos.
At the lookout point near Futamigaura Meotoiwa (Husband and Wife Rocks), admire the sacred shimenawa rope connecting the two rocks and the brilliant white shrine gates partially submerged in the sea. In this photo, you’ll see a real-life married couple (us!) peacefully resolving a “minor disagreement” about the route—proof of the shrine’s divine power (just kidding!). This is our easternmost point, located on Futamigaura Beach, and where we begin to turn back along the coast. Map
If time permits, take the turnoff to Oguchi Beach. Pass through another set of shrine gates, and just before the beach, you’ll find Time Cafe—perfect for a quick break. Or, park your bike and enjoy a stroll along the sandy shore. Map
On the way to Nogita, head back toward the farm fields for more traffic-free cycling and wide-open spaces.
At Nogita Intersection, stop for a pick-me-up at Thalia Coffee. Map
And enjoy more seaside views. This is Niginohama Beach, with a rocky point of land in the distance—our next stop, Keya.
Along the road to Keya, you’ll pass bbb haus, a luxury accommodation that also sells beautifully handcrafted items in their shop. Map
Look for a small red-brick chimney marking the turnoff to a narrow but paved road toward Keya no Oto. The first section is unpaved, so you might need to walk your bike for 100 meters.
This path is one of my favorites. The sea views are spectacular, and it’s car-free. The path is narrow, so ride slowly, yield to pedestrians, and stay safe. Before reaching the end, take the turnoff to avoid the pedestrian-only path leading to Keya no Oto’s viewpoint.
If weather permits, consider parking your bike and taking a boat tour to explore the caves of Keya no Oto.
Keya Fishing Port is a charming spot with several dining options, including burgers.
More peaceful riding between rice fields. The route passes Kishi Port, home to Itoshima’s famous oyster huts (winter only.)
Winter is also strawberry-picking season, and you’ll find a few tourist farms offering pick-your-own experiences, fresh berries, smoothies, and more.
Emiko has a sweet tooth, so we stopped at Patisserie Katsumi to try their Itoshima Lemon Cake—and it did not disappoint! Map
Further along, just across from the large JA gardening store, is Onigiri Mumu, a cozy cabin specializing in handmade rice balls. They offer fillings like mentaiko (spicy cod roe), miso, and takana (mustard greens). You can enjoy them on their deck with a cup of tea or take some for the road. Map
Our route returns to a more urban setting, passing Minnano, a bike rental shop we recommend for good-quality bicycles. From here, it’s just a kilometer back to Chikuzen-Maebaru Station. Map
No need to do the entire loop – start and stop where you like – but keep your eye on the clock and don’t get stuck out in the dark! Have fun, be safe and keep Itoshima beautiful!
