Hello! This is Yoshimoto from Circles Tokyo.
Since the opening of Circles Tokyo, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying countless rides with cyclists in the Kanto region, ranging from casual morning rides to more rigorous treks like our anniversary ride to Oshima Island.
And as Circles marks its 20th anniversary this year, the legendary camping and ride event "RIDEALIVE" is making a comeback after seven years!
"Is this outside my area if I’m in Kanto?" If you’re hesitating to sign up because of that thought, that is a huge misconception! The setting for this year's RIDEALIVE 2026—spanning from Yaizu in Shizuoka Prefecture to the Oi River basin and Kawanehoncho—is actually "the best weekend adventure you can easily jump into using the Shinkansen from Tokyo."
Holding it in Shizuoka has another significance: it’s the perfect halfway point for cyclists from the East (Kanto) and the West (Tokai/Kansai) to meet up.
From the Nagoya Circles crew that we usually only see on social media to the unique and vibrant cyclists from the Chubu and Kansai regions—all these "adventure-seekers from across Japan" will be riding along their own routes, aiming to reach the campsite by the designated time of 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 7th.
I, along with Ishikawa from Circles Tokyo, will be participating!
I’m very much looking forward to the new connections with the Kanto friends I ride with regularly, as well as catching up with everyone from Nagoya and meeting cyclists from all over the country for the first time. I hope we can chat a lot on-site, so I’m looking forward to it!
How do you enjoy it?
The RIDEALIVE event page states it simply:
Decide on a destination and just ride toward it.
In the end, everyone gathers at the same place to eat, enjoy some drinks, sit around a bonfire, and spend the night.
There is no doubt that the incredible space Circles will be setting up will be waiting for you once you reach the destination on Day 1. But as Daisaku-kun from Nagoya wrote in his previous blog post, the main event is the part about "riding toward it."
Many of the Tokyo customers who have already signed up have mentioned the same thing (how to get there), and I imagine that's the same point of hesitation for those currently considering it.
As a participant myself, I’m currently in the middle of planning how to enjoy this ride using various platforms like Google Maps. I’d like to introduce a few routes I’m considering to reach the goal of Day 1, the "Kunowaki Shinsui Park Campsite," so I hope you find them helpful.
(*Please note that this is based on road restriction information available at the time of publication, so be sure to check the latest updates yourself before you depart.)
Yoshimoto’s Recommended Route Plans
1. Rinko to Kakegawa Station: Following the Old Tokaido and Chagusaba Farming (60km / 1100up)
A short route starting from Kakegawa Station, which is easily accessible via Shinkansen. You head east through the post towns of the Old Tokaido that retain the atmosphere of the Edo period, then head toward the area around Mt. Awagatake, where the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) known as "Chagusaba farming" thrives. It’s a route where you can experience both history and the original Japanese landscape, weaving through a beautiful, patchwork-like scenery created by pampas grass and tea plantations before crossing mountain passes to join the Oi River.
2. Rinko to Shizuoka Station: A Challenging Route to Oku-Oi (100km / 2000up)
Take your bike to Shizuoka Station, head north up the Abe River, and join the Minami-Alps Park Line. From there, you’ll climb steadily toward the peak, Fujimi Pass. After crossing the pass, you’ll get to see one of the highlights of the Oigawa Railway, the emerald green "Okuoi-Kojo Station," and then descend the Oi River to reach the final destination, the "Kunowaki Shinsui Park Campsite." This is a highly rewarding route for those who love to ride.
3. Car Depot at Yaizu: Running Through the Tea Fields and Houraibashi Bridge (60km / 800up)
This route starts by leaving your car near "Yaizu PORTERS," the venue for Day 2 (final destination & after-party) of this year's RIDEALIVE, and aims for the first day's goal. It has the benefit of making your trip home much smoother. In the city, you’ll want to choose paths along rivers or railways to keep the flow smooth and minimize stress. You’ll visit the world’s longest wooden footbridge, "Houraibashi," cross it on foot, and breeze through the vast tea fields. After joining the Oi River, follow the western path with its wide shoulders to reach the "Kunowaki Shinsui Park Campsite."
Tips for Route Planning
These are the three tools I always use when planning my routes:
- Google Maps: First, use satellite imagery and other features to find interesting places and roads.
- Strava: Use features like the heat map to verify if people have actually cycled there.
- Local Government Road Restriction Info: Perform a final check to see if there are any road closures and ensure it’s safe to pass.
Why not use these as a reference to create your own original route?
If you need help with route planning, feel free to stop by Circles Tokyo anytime for advice! (Advice on gear and packing is also, of course, very welcome!)
Also, if you're worried about going alone, we are currently planning a group ride from the Tokyo area, so I’d love for us to ride together! Please don’t hesitate to ask us about it!
From Tokyo, out on a new adventure. I look forward to sharing an amazing toast with you all by the banks of the Oi River, where the East and West intersect.
Note that the RIDEALIVE 2026 ticket not only includes the campsite accommodation and ride insurance, but also three luxurious special meals: dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2, and dinner on day 2 (for the Yaizu PORTERS after-party). Tickets are on sale at the Circles Tokyo storefront and our online shop. Quantities are limited, so please be sure to sign up early!