Cycling enthusiasts take part in a cycling event co-organized by the Izu Development Association and Tsuruga Bank. IMAGE COURTESY OF Izu development association

Mention Japan, tourism and cycling, and Ehime Prefecture’s Shimanami Kaido likely springs to mind. But as Rob Gilhooly reveals in this 2021 Longform piece, the Izu Peninsula may well be the nation’s best spot for two-wheeled sports and escapades.

In a nutshell: