Japanese Cycling Culture and Events: From Keirin to the Mt. Fuji Hill Climb

For Taiwanese cyclists, Japan is arguably the most accessible international cycling destination. A three-hour flight, well-developed infrastructure, a safe riding environment, and a unique cycling culture make Japan the top choice for cycling tourism in Asia. But Japan’s cycling world is far deeper and broader than you might imagine.

Keirin: Japan’s Original Cycling Sport

From Post-War Recovery to Olympic Event

Keirin (けいりん) was born in 1948, originally as a form of publicly operated betting to aid Japan’s post-war economic recovery. Alongside horse racing and powerboat racing, Keirin is one of the four government-sanctioned public gambling sports in Japan, with annual betting turnover reaching hundreds of billions of yen.

In 2000, Keirin became an official Olympic event at the Sydney Games, but the international version (Keirin) differs significantly from Japan’s domestic “Keirin”:

• Japanese Keirin: Uses NJS-certified steel frame bikes of unified specifications; riders are trained at the Keirin School, and the entire ecosystem is highly closed
• International Keirin: Uses carbon fiber track bikes; riders come from national track teams around the world

The Keirin School

To become a professional Keirin rider in Japan, one must pass the entrance exam for the Keirin School operated by the Japan Bicycle Racing Promotion Association (JKA). Located in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, the school’s training period lasts about one year, with an extremely high elimination rate. After graduation, riders are divided into different grades (S-Class, A-Class), with vast income disparities—top S-Class riders can earn hundreds of millions of yen annually.

Spectator Experience

Taiwanese cyclists who want to experience Keirin culture can visit velodromes across Japan:

• Keiokaku Velodrome (Chofu, Tokyo): Closest to central Tokyo
• Matsudo Velodrome (Chiba Prefecture): Lively atmosphere
• Izu Velodrome (Shizuoka Prefecture): Venue for track cycling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Admission typically costs only a few hundred yen, and you can purchase betting tickets on-site to experience Japan’s unique gambling culture.

Japanese Road Cycling Events

Tour of Japan

Japan’s highest-level road cycling race, rated UCI 2.1. Usually held in May over approximately one week, the route traverses major cities and mountainous areas of Honshu. It serves as an important platform for Asian riders to showcase their strength, and European teams frequently participate as well.

Mt. Fuji Hill Climb

Held every June, the “Fuji no Kuni Yamanashi Mt. Fuji Hill Climb” is Japan’s largest amateur hill climb event, with over 10,000 participants.

Course Information:

• Start: Fuji Hokuroku Park (approx. 1,000m elevation)
• Finish: Mt. Fuji 5th Station (approx. 2,305m elevation)
• Distance: Approx. 24 km
• Elevation gain: Approx. 1,270 meters
• Average gradient: Approx. 5.2%

Compared to Taiwan’s Wuling, this climb is relatively moderate (Wuling from Puli is about 55 km with 2,700 meters of elevation gain), but the symbolic significance of Mt. Fuji places it on every Japanese cyclist’s bucket list.

Other Major Amateur Events

• Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Race: A team endurance race held at Suzuka Circuit
• Norikura Hill Climb: A classic hill climb up Mt. Norikura
• Okinawa Century Ride: A beautiful island cycling event
• Lake Biwa Loop: A popular route around Lake Biwa, approximately 200 km

Japanese Cycling Culture

Bicycle Commuting

Japan’s bicycle commuting culture differs greatly from Taiwan’s. In Japan, bicycles are primarily part of the “mama-chari” (ママチャリ) culture—practical city bikes with front baskets and rear racks, used for short-distance commuting and shopping. Road bikes and mountain bikes account for a far smaller share of daily life than in Europe.

However, Japan’s sports cycling culture has been growing rapidly in recent years. The anime “Yowamushi Pedal” (飆速宅男) sparked many young people to take up road cycling, and the number of cycling clubs and events across the country is steadily increasing.

Bike Lanes and Blue Lines

The Japanese government has been actively promoting cycling infrastructure in recent years:

• Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道): A 70 km cross-sea cycling route connecting Onomichi on Honshu with Imabari on Shikoku, hailed as one of the “world’s most beautiful cycling routes”
• Lake Biwa Cycling Path: A complete cycling path system around Lake Biwa
• Tsukuba Kasumigaura Cycling Road: A long-distance cycling route in the Kanto region
• “National Cycle Route” (ナショナルサイクルルート) certification in major cities

Comparison with Taiwan

Taiwan’s cycling path system is actually quite outstanding in Asia:

• The completeness of the Cycling Route No.1 around the island ranks among the best in Asia
• The quality of the Sun Moon Lake cycling path rivals Shimanami Kaido
• Taiwan’s mountain challenges (Wuling, Tataka) surpass most Japanese routes in difficulty

But there are several areas where Taiwan can learn from Japan:

• Road drivers show greater courtesy toward cyclists
• Extremely high convenience store density makes resupply very easy
• Cycling-friendly hotels and service facilities are more developed

A Cycling Guide to Japan for Taiwanese Riders

Bicycle Transport

• Airline Check-in: Most airlines accept bicycles for check-in; ANA and JAL are well known for their bicycle-friendly policies
• Domestic Transport in Japan: Shinkansen and JR trains require bicycles to be packed in a rinko bag (輪行バッグ)—a unique Japanese regulation
• Bike Rental: Road bike rental services are available in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, including platforms like CycleTrip

Practical Information

• Season: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best cycling seasons
• Traffic Rules: Japan drives on the left, opposite to Taiwan—extra caution is required
• Resupply: Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) are everywhere and serve as the best resupply points
• Language: Google Maps is highly accurate in Japan, making navigation easy even without knowing Japanese
• Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended, as medical costs in Japan are high for foreigners

Japan’s cycling world blends tradition and modernity, competition and leisure. From the passionate shouts at the velodrome to the serene climb at the foot of Mt. Fuji, this cycling paradise—the closest one to Taiwan—awaits your exploration.

Related Reading

• Japanese Cycling Competitive Culture: The Betting Culture of Keirin and the Lives of Professional Keirin Riders
• The History of Cycling Events in Taiwan: From Local Racing to International Events
• A Deep Dive into Japanese Cycling Culture: Urban Bike Aesthetics and Riding Routes in Shimane and Hiroshima
• The Development of Cycling Culture in Taiwan: Half a Century of Transformation from Transportation to Riding Culture