Kibiji Cycling Road ～ Cycling around the Japan Heritage sites of Kibiji on a Kibiji bicycle

Cycling the Kibiji Cycling Road!

I was excited to see what the cycling trip would be like.

For this article, I enjoyed cycling along the following route and in this order.

1. Rent a Kibi Chari from Araki Rental Cycle
2. Set off from JR Soja Station
3. Tsukuriyama Kofun
4. Bichu Kokubun-ji Temple
5. Komorizuka Kofun
6. Tsukuriyama Kofun
7. Drop off the bike at Uedo Rental Cycle in front of Bizen-Ichinomiya Station

We covered about 14 kilometers in around four and a half hours, taking our time to enjoy sightseeing and taking photos.

Here are some things to keep in mind when cycling the Kibiji Cycling Road.

• Keep your belongings to a minimum (carrying them can make you tire more easily, so it’s best to bring only what fits in the Kibi Chari’s basket)
• Bring something to drink
• Protect yourself from the sun with a hat and sunscreen

At Araki Rental Cycle, where I rented my bike, I was able to leave my luggage for free.

Kibi Chari bikes are available for rent at the following shops.

One-way drop-off is available at three shops: Araki Rental Cycle, Takaya Rental Cycle, and Uedo Rental Cycle.

The basic fee varies depending on the type of bicycle.

• Child seat option: +¥300
• One-way drop-off option: +¥500
  *Return the bike to a different shop from where you rented it

You can also make a reservation using the booking form or by phone.

• Booking form
  https://kibiji-rent-a-bicycle-araki.jimdosite.com/
• Phone
  0866-92-0233

Ushida Cycle does not offer one-way drop-off, and its fees are different.

It costs ¥330 (tax included) for up to two hours, ¥110 (tax included) for each additional hour, or ¥880 (tax included) for six hours or more.

You must also reserve by phone (086-287-2167) by the day before.

Renting a Kibi Chari from Araki Rental Cycle

I rented a Kibi Chari from Araki Rental Cycle, located in front of JR Soja Station.

Hidetaka Araki of Araki Rental Cycle helped me with the rental process.

As soon as I arrived, I saw the Kibi Chari bikes lined up.

“They look stylish, so we often put them right at the front. Some people stop and rent one, saying, ‘This bike is so cute!’”

I signed up for the Kibi Chari one-way drop-off option for ¥2,000 (tax included).

Here are the steps for renting a Kibi Chari from Araki Rental Cycle.

1. Read the rental terms and conditions and fill out the application form
2. Receive the information sheet, “Important Information for Using the Kibi Chari Japan Heritage Rental Bicycle,” and a cycling map
3. Get an explanation of the cycling route
4. Inspect the bicycle together
5. Learn how to use the bicycle

What impressed me most was the explanation of the cycling route.

Using an original cycling map made by Mr. Araki’s mother (available at Araki Rental Cycle, Takaya Rental Cycle, and Uedo Rental Cycle), he gave me a thorough explanation.

The map includes landmarks and reflects feedback from people who have cycled the route, such as “this part was hard to understand.”

It also has illustrations to make it easy to follow for foreign visitors who can’t read Japanese.

“If you’re going as far as Tsukuriyama Kofun, you can either turn back and return here, or go on to Uedo Rental Cycle in front of Bizen-Ichinomiya Station. The distance is about the same either way.

You can drop off the bike and take a train on the JR Kibi Line (Momotaro Line) back to Soja Station,” Mr. Araki said, so I decided to go to Bizen-Ichinomiya Station.

I was also grateful that he told me the departure times for the JR Kibi Line (Momotaro Line) trains back.

He also recommends places to visit based on your interests—for example, highlights of the kofun for people who enjoy ancient burial mounds.

In addition to Kibi Chari bikes, Araki Rental Cycle also offers bicycles such as small-wheeled mini velos suited to city riding, city bikes, and hybrid bikes.

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