Kamioka Railway Cycling

Rail-MTB Gattan Go (レールマウンテンバイクGattan Go) is the name of an exciting activity in Kamioka near Furukawa and Okuhida, which allows visitors to ride on electrically assisted bicycles on the tracks of the abandoned Kamioka Railway. During the safe and relatively gentle experience, visitors ride through tunnels and over bridges and are afforded great views of the surrounding mountains, rivers and towns.

Kamioka Railway was opened in 1984 to connect the town of Kamioka with Inotani Station on the JR Takayama Line; however, after cargo and passenger traffic dwindled, the line was closed in 2006. The railway was noted for the beautiful views it provided of the surrounding landscape, and in 2012 the three kilometer long Town Course was opened to cyclist, while a separate, second section, the Canyon Course, was added in 2018.

Both courses measure roughly three kilometers one way, and cyclists require around 40-60 minutes to make the round trip. The Town Course starts and ends at the former Okuhida Onsen-guchi terminal station, while the Canyon Course starts and ends at the former Urushiyama Station further down the valley. At the turning point, riders dismount for a few minutes while the bikes are turned around. Because the grade of the track is gentle and the bicyles are electrically assisted, riding in both directions does not require too much strength and is particularly easy in the downhill direction.

The bicycles themselves are fixed to a rolling mechanism that straddles the track, and although there are most commonly two bikes to one roller, there are also larger rollers with seats for additional people to join without having to pedal. It is worth noting that the cost differs depending on which of these vehicles are chosen and how many people you are. Single riders can be accommodated only on the Town Course.

Ride sessions depart approximately once per hour, and there is a brief safety seminar that riders are to attend before setting off, which brings the total length of the experience to around 60-75 minutes. Prior reservations are not required, but are recommended on busy days. Reservations can be made online, by phone or by e-mail (see official website). The activity is not offered during the winter.