Cycling Japan – day 56 – Tomakomai to Sapporo

Day 56 – Tomakomai to Sapporo
Distance: 69.5km
Ascent / descent: 923m / 831m
Weather: hot
Accommodation: Stayed with friends Kanji & Mieko

The hotel I stayed at last night had a free buffet breakfast which was a lovely added bonus.

This was part of the free Japanese breakfast buffet at Green Hills Hotel in Tomakomai

The rain had stopped but it was an overcast and cool morning. There was a cycle route parallel to Route 276 between Tomakomai and Lake Shikotsu which was nice and smooth and I thought I might even see a bear 😉

Tomakomai to Lake Shikotsu cycling road

Lake Shikotsu was shrouded in mist but that hadn’t stopped the hordes of tourists arriving by coach. Everyone was dressed as if they were going to a ski resort and I didn’t blame them, I had my wet weather gear on too just for an extra layer of warmth. The Lake Shikotsu Visitor Centre was fantastic and I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area. The map inside the centre showed recent bear sightings and a staff member told me that a bear had been seen last night on a highway near Chitose airport, not too far from here. I still want to see one, but obviously from a safe distance 😉

Lake Shikotsu and Yamasentetsu Bridge

Lake Shikotsu

Chitose manhole cover

Riding around the lake I saw one small brown snake, then I had a big climb and on my first descent I saw one more snake and a deer; the deer made so much noise when I startled it that I did think it was a bear. Alas, I couldn’t escape the rain clouds… the heavens opened up and it rained for the rest of the way to Sapporo where I met Kanji & Mieko again.