Taka-Shima Street Race   

North of Kyoto and west of Nagoya, Takashima lies nestled along the coast of Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture.

The Taka-Shima road race begins at the base of the mountains, at the Hakodateyama Ski Resort, and proceeds eastward directly towards the lake, typically with the sun burning down bright upon the riders in the early morning. Once confronted with the expanse of the lake, the riders turn south, following the l...

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North of Kyoto and west of Nagoya, Takashima lies nestled along the coast of Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture.

The Taka-Shima road race begins at the base of the mountains, at the Hakodateyama Ski Resort, and proceeds eastward directly towards the lake, typically with the sun burning down bright upon the riders in the early morning. Once confronted with the expanse of the lake, the riders turn south, following the lakefront past Imazuhama Beach.

After a short and typically uneventful early few kilometers, the peloton proceeds on several circuits along both the north and south sides of the Ado river, going rough east-west, crossing several times. A bridge near the river mouth and delta as it empties into the Lake can be especially treacherous for unprepared riders.

Surrounding the riders during these circuits are extensive rice fields and an assortment of Japanese farmhouses. Families often cheer the riders on from the comfort of their own property walls and second floor balconies. Race organizers vary this circuit every year to make for a multitude of different ninety degree turns on often narrow roads lined with irrigation ditches.

Once the circuits are complete, the sprint trains form for the final time, heading south back alongside the lake, squeezing to the east of Mount Bunagatake as the leaders aim for the picturesque Torii gate of Shirahige Shrine. To win the race, a rider must be fully at the front of the peloton - often quite stretched by now - before the shrine comes in sight, as only three kilometers remain until the finish at Sun Tower Marina.

The winners are often greeted by the owners of Shirahige Soba noodle restaurant long-time sponsors of the race.