Yamagata Cycling: Nature and Craft

Meet at the reception and receive your e-bike and rental helmet, then head outside to the courtyard to review basic safety maneuvers and movements like braking and U-turns.

The following points will be checked:
a. Can rider make a U-turn?
b. Can rider make a U-turn without putting their foot down?
c. Can rider make a U-turn without wobbling?
d. Is rider using brakes to control their speed?
e. Can rider come to a complete stop using only bicycle brakes (i.e., the rider is not using their feet to brake when coming to a stop)?
f. Can the rider come to a stop and set their feet down without losing their balance?
*Guests may be refused participation in the tour if cycling guide deems them to be having excessive difficulty executing the above-listed maneuvers.

Start your tour of Yamagata City, the capital of Yamagata Prefecture. At the end of the modern downtown district stands a large and stately old building- Yamagata Kyodo-kan, nicknamed Bunshokan. Built in 1916 in an English Renaissance Revival style, it served as the seat of the prefectural government and prefectural assembly hall until 1975. In 1984, the building was named a National Important Cultural Property. Starting in 1986 over a period of 10 years, the building was restored to its former beauty using historically accurate reconstruction techniques. As the Yamagata Kyodo-kan, it is now open for visitors to explore free of charge.

The next location, the Hirashimizu area, lies on the outskirts of Yamagata, a slight uphill journey from the city center. Thanks to the e-bike’s assist function, climbing this slope will feel like a breeze. Pedaling at your own pace, take in the nature of Yamagata in comfort. If you find a view spot you are fond of, feel free to stop your bike along the side of the road and snap a picture.

After about an hour of cycling, arrive at the Hirashimizu-yaki pottery workshop.Under the guidance of an instructor, make your own original item of pottery. Anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy pottery making at this workshop—no need to bring any special gear with you. A potter will apply a glaze of your choice to your piece, then place it in the famous climbing kiln of Hirashimizu for firing. The process will be completed in about 1 month. Once your piece has been fired, it will be shipped to you (please bring cash to pay for postage fees).