RENT & RIDE JAPANOku-Mikawa (Shitara & Shinshiro / Yuya Onsen)
Oku-Mikawa: Horaiji & Yuya Onsen Gorge Ride
A two-day round trip from Hachioji into the deep mountains of Oku-Mikawa in northeastern Aichi. Ride gorge roads around Shitara, visit the 1,300-year-old Horaiji temple, and soak at Yuya Onsen along the Ure River before enjoying the autumn colors of Horaikyo Gorge.
- DISTANCE
- 620 km
- DURATION
- 20 h
- LEVEL
- Intermediate
Oku-Mikawa, in the northeastern corner of Aichi Prefecture, is a land of deep forests and gorges that cradle the headwaters of the Toyo, Yahagi, and Tenryu rivers. Although it lies some distance from the Tokyo area, the Shin-Tomei Expressway makes access surprisingly comfortable, and the region rewards riders with quiet mountain villages and famous hot springs that have escaped overdevelopment. This two-day round trip winds through the gorge roads of Shitara, visits the ancient Horaiji temple, and stays overnight at Yuya Onsen along the Ure River — a route especially recommended in autumn.
Course Highlights
- Shitara gorge roads: Flowing routes centered on National Route 257, cutting through the deep mountains of Oku-Mikawa.
- Horaiji-san Parkway: A comfortable single-lane winding road climbing toward the sacred mountain.
- Horaiji Temple: A 1,300-year-old temple said to have been founded in the Taiho era, with a Nio gate and Toshogu shrine linked to the Tokugawa family.
- Yuya Onsen: A historic hot-spring village along the Ure River (Horaikyo Gorge), listed among Japan's 100 Famous Hot Springs.
- Autumn colors of Horaikyo Gorge: Usually at their best from mid-November to early December.
Riding Tips
The route is largely mountainous and mornings and evenings get cold. During the autumn-leaf season the Horaiji-san Parkway car park fills up, so aim to arrive early. Fill up on fuel before heading into the mountains for peace of mind.
- Day 1
- 1START
Tashilog Garage
Start point. Depart early and head for Oku-Mikawa via the Chuo and Shin-Tomei expressways.
TIPSBring warm gear and start early, as the route is mostly mountain roads. Fill up before departure.
- 2FOOD~70 min
Michi-no-Eki Shitara
A relatively new roadside station on National Route 257, opened in 2021. It includes the Oku-Mikawa Folk Museum and showcases Shitara's nature, history, and food.
TIPSHave lunch here. The Seirei Shokudo diner on the first floor serves dishes made with local Shitara ingredients, such as whole deep-fried sweetfish (ayu) set meals and Oku-Mikawa udon. Rough hours are 9:00–17:00 (please confirm in advance).
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Photo: Bariston / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 - 3FOOD~20 min
Tsuguya (Michi-no-Eki Shitara)
A popular gohei-mochi (grilled rice cake) stand within Michi-no-Eki Shitara, famous for aromatic skewers grilled to order.
TIPSA perfect snack after lunch. This Oku-Mikawa specialty features a sweet-savory sauce of soy and miso blended with sesame and walnut. Grab one to go and enjoy it with the crisp gorge air.
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Image - 4VIEW~30 min
Horaiji-san Parkway
A single-lane winding road (former toll road, now Prefectural Route 524) climbing toward the summit area of Horaiji-san. One of eastern Mikawa's finest roads, beautiful in fresh green and autumn colors.
TIPSThe summit car park typically opens from 8:00 and accepts motorcycles. It fills quickly during the autumn-leaf season, so arrive early.
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Photo: Alpsdake / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 - 5SPOT~80 min
Horaiji Temple
An ancient Shingon-sect temple set on Mt. Horaiji at 695 m, enshrining Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha) and deeply tied to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
HISTORYAccording to temple tradition, the hermit Rishu founded Horaiji around the Taiho era (702–703), giving it some 1,300 years of history. Along the stone-step approach stands the Kasasugi cedar, roughly 800 years old and about 60 m tall, while the Nio gate, built in 1651 by order of Tokugawa Iemitsu, is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The nearby Horaisan Toshogu shrine, linked to Ieyasu, is also an Important Cultural Property.
TIPSWalk the approach from the summit car park to reach the main hall. The front approach has 1,425 stone steps, so choose your parking and route according to time and energy. Admission is free.
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Photo: Mikkabie / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 - 6LODGING~840 min
Hazu Bekkan
A folk-craft-style inn with a Taisho-romance atmosphere facing the clear Ure River. It offers mountain-village cuisine made from local river and mountain ingredients, plus free-flowing natural hot-spring baths.
TIPSNight 1 lodging. Yuya Onsen is a historic hot-spring village counted among Japan's 100 Famous Hot Springs. Please confirm motorcycle parking availability and room types when booking, along with check-in times.
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Photo: Pierre Dupuis / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain - Day 2
- 7VIEW~40 min
Yuya Onsen (Ure River Stroll)
Before leaving the inn, stroll along the Ure River (Horaikyo Gorge). The hot-spring town is set amid the rocky riverbed of the Itashiki River and striking gorge scenery.
TIPSStart of day 2. It is lovely to take in the gorge in the crisp morning air. Some riverside spots can be wet and slippery, so watch your footing.
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Image - 8VIEW~40 min
Horaikyo Gorge (Ure River)
A scenic gorge spreading around Yuya Onsen, where the Ure River carves through rock beds and vivid autumn foliage colors the water in fall.
TIPSAutumn colors usually peak from mid-November to early December. Take your time to enjoy the gorge scenery before starting the ride home.
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Image - 9FOOD~60 min
Michi-no-Eki Horai Mikawa Mitsuishi
A roadside station on National Route 257 offering Horai specialties, fresh local vegetables, and plum-based products. A great stop on the way home.
TIPSA lunch or snack stop. Its signature is the 'Mitsuishi gohei-mochi' topped with generous walnut sauce, and the plum udon/soba is also recommended. Rough hours are 9:00–17:00 (please confirm). From here, head toward the Shin-Tomei for the ride home.
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Photo: おはぐろ蜻蛉 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain - 10GOAL
Tashilog Garage
Return. Head back to Hachioji via the Shin-Tomei, Tomei, and Chuo expressways.
TIPSThe return is a long, mostly highway ride, so take regular breaks. Aim to arrive before sunset and manage your time accordingly.