This course takes in the Uonuma Skyline, which is renowned for its spectacular scenery, and the Mikuni River Dam, which is also used in top category bicycle races. Although the distance is only 65 km, it has two hard climbs and is recommended for challenge cyclists who are no longer beginners. This is a course where you can enjoy the scenery as well as the ease of running.
Muikamachi Station is served by the JR Joetsu Line and the Hokuetsu Kyuko Hokuhoku Line. The Minamiuonuma Business Creation Centre, located in the station building, is a base facility for business start-ups and new businesses in Minamiuonuma City, and also offers immigration and settlement advice, a tourist information centre and rental bicycles.
4.4 km
Pond of the Pines
The pond is associated with the legend of a weaver woman called Omatsu. The lakeside, 1 km in circumference, is surrounded by cherry blossom trees. In the centre of the pond are two islands, Bentenjima to the north and Togakushijima to the south, each with a shrine enshrined on it.
6.5 km
Uonuma Skyline, Muikamachi Observatory.
From the observatory, which is about 700 m above sea level, you can see the Uonuma Basin, Makiki-yama, the three Echigo Mountains and Mount Sakado, where Uesugi Keikatsu's castle, Sakado Castle, was built. It is also a spot with a superb view of the sea of clouds, which can be seen early in the morning in spring and autumn if the weather conditions are favourable.
4.2 km
Tochikubo Pass
The pass is located on the border between Minamiuonuma City and Tokamachi City. On the way down from the Uonuma Skyline towards Shiozawa, there is a spectacular view of the terraced rice fields of Tochikubo and the Uonuma Basin. Be careful of your speed on the way down.
7.5 km
Mikuni Kaido Shiozawa-juku Makino Dori
The street has been awarded the Urban Landscape Grand Prize for its recreation of the unique snow-covered gangi and Edo Period Shiozawa Inn scenery. Nearby, there is a memorial museum to Suzuki Makiyuki, who wrote 'Hokuetsu Yukifu' in the Edo period, and Aoki Sake Brewery's 'Tsururei no brewing water'.
0.2 km
Japanese cooking
Located close to Makino Dori, this restaurant serves Minamiuonuma's speciality 'Honkidon' at any time of the day, except during campaign periods. In addition to honkidon, this popular restaurant offers a variety of other dishes using rice produced in Minamiuonuma.
5.1 km
Zenith Park
This Japanese garden-style park is located at the foot of Mount Sakado, where Uesugi Keikatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu spent their childhoods, and where Sakado Castle was built. Within the park is the Naoe Kanetsugu-ko Biographical Museum, an old house that has been relocated to resemble the birthplace of Naoe Kanetsugu.
12.5 km
Rhododendron Tourist Centre
The Mikuni River (Saguri River) Dam and the area around the lakeside offer nature exploration of the forest and lake. There are also campsites and parks nearby, and the famous 'Mikuni River Dam Curry' can be enjoyed at the Shakunage Tourist Centre cafeteria.
