The Kibi Plain west of Okayama city was the heart of the ancient Kibi kingdom, and a dedicated cycling path now runs roughly 15 flat kilometres across it between Bizen-Ichinomiya and Soja stations. It is a near-perfect half-day ride: the route threads through rice paddies and villages past Kibitsuhiko Shrine, the National Treasure Kibitsu Shrine with its 400-metre corridor, a huge keyhole-shaped burial mound, the ruins of an ancient temple and a striking five-storey pagoda standing alone in the fields. Rental bikes can be picked up at one station and dropped at the other.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Okayama Prefecture |
| Hours | Daylight riding; rental shop hours |
| Admission | Bike hire around ¥1,000–1,500 |
| Time needed | 3–5 hours |
| Best time | Spring and autumn; avoid midsummer |
What to Do
- A flat 15 km cycling path across rice fields and villages.
- Kibitsu Shrine and its 400 m corridor.
- A huge keyhole-shaped kofun burial mound.
- A five-storey pagoda standing alone in the fields.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Kibitsu Shrine , the route’s highlight.
- Pair with kibidango and the Momotaro legend.
- Read our Okayama overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR Kibi Line to Bizen-Ichinomiya, where rental shops sit by the station.
- One way: drop the bike at Soja and take the train back.
Tips
Rent at Bizen-Ichinomiya and drop off at Soja so you ride one way and take the train back, which is far better than doubling back. It’s genuinely flat and suitable for casual cyclists, but allow more time than the distance suggests — the shrines and mounds along the way are the point, and stopping properly at each takes hours.
