Yubari Youth Hostel
a little north
After our night in the business hotel, our first real stop is an isolated Youth Hostel (Yunbari Forest) that's another short day's ride - still not too far from the airport.
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This solid pine lodge is tucked away on a gentle slope that provides a great view of wooded hills. It takes us a while to find it, as it's so remote, and have to get some locals to show us where it is.
The owner is really nice and cooks us a wonderful dinner. We're surprised we're the only guests - in mid-winter skiers cram the place while using the nearby resort.
Early spring is when most of Hokkaido seems to hibernate and so if you fancy - like we did - pedaling around Japan's most scenic and cycling-oriented area, this is a good time to do it. If they are still open, hotels are practically deserted and usually offer reduced rates; roads are clear of snow, yet the countryside is still a picturesque winter wonderland. Just bring lots of warm clothing.
And it's not just snow the roads are clear of - there's also very little traffic.
Today's ride: 35 km (22 miles)
Total: 47 km (29 miles)
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