Miyagase & Doshi: The connecting roads
Map of Miyagase and Doshi
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Miyagase | Roads to Ride | Sightseeing Doshi | Roads to Ride | Sightseeing
Miyagase
Lake Miyagase is a man made reservoir which supplies drinking water to Yokohama and Tokyo, much like its bigger brother Okutama Lake. There’s a short hiking trail at Toriibara Park with a photo opportunity of the lake. Miyagase Parking lot also provides a good view of the lake making it a popular meetup point for motorcyclists.
Roads to Ride
Route 70 aka Yabitsu Toge
Known for being a tight technical road, route 70 heads north out of Hadano towards Miyagase Lake. Nanohana View Terrace is your only chance for a lookout point before heading into the forested road. The road is narrow with no median, so watch out for oncoming cars especially in a turn. The northern section of 70 is a long descent that follows Fujino River all the way to Lake Miyagase. The views get better just before connecting to route 64 in the north. Route 70 is frequently closed so check if it’s opened before heading out!
Route 64
Paralleling 70 to the east is route 64. Running north out of Isehara city, this route has a short twisty ascent right before reaching the southern tip of Lake Miyagase. Once at the lake, enjoy the serene view all around. Route 64 continues north after the lake connecting to 413 (Doshi). Don’t forget to stop by Lake Miyagase Parking lot for a photo opportunity and to meet fellow motorcyclists.
Northern Miyagase Road
Taking a right out of Lake Miyagase Parking lot is a scenic-curvy road that will lead you to Hattori Dairy Farm and Oginopan. Watch out for the plastic pylons in the middle of the road as I have hit my side mirrors leaning a little too close to them.
Miyagase Sightseeing
Hattori Dairy Farm is the largest farm in Kanagawa offering a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages. From milking cows to making your own butter or sausages, there’s something for everyone. And don’t forget to treat yourself to their homemade ice cream made fresh from the farm’s own cows.
Oginopan Head Office Factory Store: If you like fried dough then check out Oginopan. Their popular “agepan”, literally translated as “fried-bread”, brings flocks of people to this store on the weekend where they can also take a peep into the process of how it’s made. There’s even dedicated parking space for motorcyclists.
Doshi
Doshi offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and fun riding roads. The name itself written in Kanji meaning "the will and the way" seems fitting for a destination popular among motorcyclists. However, officially the name Doshi actually is a title for police officers graduating from the village back in the Heian period. I guess there were so many people with the title Doshi, that they named the village after it. So, as you cruise through its winding roads, be on your best behavior.
Despite its past, Doshi remains a tranquil haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by farm fields and mountains, it's a popular spot for camping. In fact, Doshi boasts the highest density of campsites in all of Japan, making it a camper’s haven.
Roads to Ride
413 Doshi Road
Running in an east-west direction, Doshi connects Sagamihara to Fujiyoshida totaling 71.7km in length. There are numerous “rider’s cafe” along the road with the famous Roadside Station Doshi near the west end. Roadside Station Doshi is a popular rest area amongst motorcyclists with a restaurant, produce market, and a suspension bridge and is often overfilled with motorcycles on the weekend. Photography enthusiasts can be seen on the side of the road taking pictures of motorcycles as they ride by. Don’t be afraid to go back and ask for your pictures. They’ll appreciate the talk and give it to you for free.
24
Starting just north of the Roadside Station Doshi is a twisty forest road that connects 413 to Tsurushi in the north. This road is an excellent option if you want to head towards Okutama from Doshi and miss the congestion in Fujiyoshida.
35
This is a road that parallels Doshi connecting the town of Igura in the west to Magino in the east. There are sets of nice sweepers in the east section near Magino and then the road becomes a tranquil country road as you head west.
518
Take this forest road for quicker access to Okutama from Lake Miyagase. The road ascends from the south to the top where there is a short section which is very narrow with a gate that is only 2m wide. Passing this narrow section the road becomes two lanes again and is an enjoyable descent down into Fujino.
76
A north-south running road connecting Fujino to Doshi road. This road is a mix bag of countryside riding, twisty forest roads, and sweepers. It’s a road I enjoy to the point that sometimes I miss my turn off to 518 going home from Okutama.
Doshi Sightseeing
Hirano Beach at the western end of Doshi offers a majestic view of Mt. Fuji where you can ride your motorcycle up to the shores of Lake Yamanakako.
As I use Doshi as a connecting road to Okutama, I really haven’t spent much time meandering around the area. If you know of any good sights to see, please let me know in the comments below.
