Touring Season Arrives! "Bike Kura" Releases Feature on Recommended Touring Spots in the Kanto Region

e-portal Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), which operates the motorcycle parking search site "Bike Kura" (https://bikeko.net/), is pleased to introduce recommended touring spots in the Kanto region to coincide with the arrival of the touring season.

The Kanto region, consisting of Tokyo and the six prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi, Gunma, and Ibaraki, is an ideal field for motorcycle touring, with its diverse terrain including seas, mountains, lakes, and mountain passes concentrated in one area. It is popular with many riders as it can accommodate a wide range of styles, from weekend day touring to long-distance touring.

Kanagawa Area: Hakone & Shonan

A representative touring route in Kanagawa Prefecture is the "Hakone Turnpike," highly acclaimed by riders nationwide for its winding roads. Its appeal lies in the spectacular views that change with increasing altitude and the beauty of the autumn foliage season. The route along the Shonan coast on National Route 134, which offers a liberating seaside touring experience, is also popular, attracting many riders with its scenery overlooking Enoshima and Mt. Fuji.

Tochigi Area: Nikko & Nasu

The "Irohazaka" mountain road, with its 48 consecutive curves, is known as a premier winding spot for Kanto touring. It offers good access to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls, and presents unparalleled autumn scenery. "Nasu Kogen," located about 150km from the Tokyo metropolitan area, is also a highly popular area due to its moderately winding roads, scenic routes, and abundant day-trip hot spring facilities.

Gunma Area: Kusatsu, Haruna, Akagi

The "Shiga Kusatsu Road" on National Route 292, known as one of Japan's leading high-altitude routes, offers magnificent volcanic landscapes in sections exceeding 2,000m in elevation. The winding roads of Mt. Haruna and Mt. Akagi, counted among the Jomo Sanzan (Three Mountains of Jomo), are also highlights, with the mystical scenery of Lake Haruna and the liberating feel of the "Gururi Akagi" route supported by many riders.

Chiba Area: Boso Peninsula

On the Boso Peninsula, where seaside touring facing the Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed, popular routes include the "Boso Flower Line," where canola flowers and narcissus bloom in spring, and inland routes towards Kisarazu and Yoro Valley, offering beautiful gorge scenery.

Ibaraki Area: Mt. Tsukuba & Lake Kasumigaura

The winding roads running at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba, known as "Fuji of the West, Tsukuba of the East," and the open courses along the shores of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan's second-largest lake by area, are also spots loved by many riders.

Precautions for Touring in the Kanto Region

In the heavily trafficked Kanto region, main roads can experience congestion on weekends and holidays, so early morning departures or strategic timing is recommended. In mountainous areas, there is a significant temperature difference compared to flatlands, making rain gear and cold weather protection essential. High-altitude mountain passes may experience snow and ice from late November to April, so checking road conditions in advance is important. It is also advisable to research parking availability around your destination beforehand for peace of mind.

About Bike Kura

"Bike Kura" is a monthly motorcycle parking search site that lists information on motorcycle parking lots and motorcycle containers nationwide. Users can search for suitable storage locations based on criteria such as area, price, and whether it is indoor or outdoor. With numerous photos and videos, users can easily inquire about properties of interest.