JR Central Autumn Cycle Trains 2026: Dates & Tickets
JR Central's Autumn Cycle Train 2026 programme has three special reserved-seat services for travelers with bicycles: Fujiichi to Gotemba on October 24, returning October 25; Fukuroi on November 3; and Hamaichi to the Lake Hamana area on November 7. These trains allow bicycles to be brought aboard without dismantling them, subject to the notice's ticket and handling rules.
Information checked on October 11, 2026: This guide uses JR Central's full September 11 announcement, including its timetable and bicycle-handling appendix. Published dates and fares do not confirm seats remain available. The cover is an illustrative cycling scene, not a photograph of an announced train, event or cycling route.
Operating dates and destinations
| Special express train | Operating date in 2026 | Announced route |
|---|---|---|
| Fujiichi Cycle Train | Outward October 24; return October 25 | Hamamatsu, Fukuroi, Shizuoka, Fuji and Numazu to Gotemba, with the return in the reverse direction |
| Fukuroi Cycle Train | November 3, a public holiday | Mishima, Numazu, Fuji and Shizuoka to Fukuroi and back |
| Hamaichi Cycle Train | November 7 | Outward from Mishima, Fuji, Shizuoka and Hamamatsu to Bentenjima and Shinjohara; return boards at Bentenjima |
Fujiichi does not run a return trip on each of two days. Its outward journey is October 24 and its return is October 25. Gotemba is the announced destination for access to the Mount Fuji cycling area. The September notice says Fukuroi and Hamaichi times and detailed programmes will be announced separately; no later matching timetable was verified for this guide.
Fujiichi timetable: October 24 outward and October 25 return
The following times are from the announcement's appendix, in local Japan time. On the outward journey, the intermediate stops are boarding only; riders cannot get off there. On the return, they are alighting only; riders cannot board at those intermediate stops.
| Station | October 24 outward | October 25 return |
|---|---|---|
| Hamamatsu | Depart 13:58 | Arrive 20:53 |
| Fukuroi | Depart 14:21 | Arrive 20:33 |
| Shizuoka | Depart 15:17 | Arrive 19:40 |
| Fuji | Depart 15:55 | Arrive 19:05 |
| Numazu | Depart 16:18 | Arrive 18:48 |
| Gotemba | Arrive 16:53 | Depart 18:18 |
Fujiichi is announced to use 313-series cars with longitudinal seating. Equipment can change without notice. Tickets for this service are sold only between Gotemba and the listed boarding or alighting stations, rather than for arbitrary intermediate journeys.
How to buy cycle train tickets
All three services have ordinary reserved seating. Each direction requires a base-fare ticket as well as express and reserved-seat tickets. A commuter pass does not suffice; the notice requires a separate base-fare ticket.
- Where: counters at major JR stations and travel agencies.
- When: express and reserved-seat tickets go on sale at 10:00 one month before each operating date, on the same date in the preceding month.
- Channels excluded by this notice: Eki-net, e5489 and reserved-seat ticket machines. Do not rely on those channels to reserve these special cycle trains.
Ask the counter for the exact train, travel date, boarding station and required tickets for each direction. The announcement is not a live seat-inventory service.
| Fujiichi adult one-way example | Base fare | Express and reserved-seat charges | Total in September 11 notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamamatsu to Gotemba | ¥2,640 | ¥1,630 | ¥4,270 |
| Shizuoka to Gotemba | ¥1,340 | ¥1,290 | ¥2,630 |
These are dated announcement examples, not universal fares or live offers. Confirm your own journey's fare and conditions at the ticket counter. For a wider itinerary, our JR Pass price comparison helps compare pass costs with individual tickets; it does not establish pass acceptance on these cycle trains.
Important Hamaichi return-station restriction
The outward Hamaichi service can take riders to Bentenjima or Shinjohara. The return departs from Bentenjima only, serving Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Fuji and Mishima. You cannot board the return cycle train at Shinjohara. Plan your cycling endpoint and station arrival around this distinction.
The announcement permits specified outward tickets from Mishima, Fuji, Shizuoka or Hamamatsu to Bentenjima or Shinjohara, and from Bentenjima to Shinjohara. Return tickets are from Bentenjima to the listed eastern stations. It does not offer every possible intermediate station pair.
Bringing and securing your bicycle
- Arrive at the ticket-gate area at least 15 minutes before departure with your bicycle and show staff your express and reserved-seat tickets. Arriving late may prevent boarding. The appendix identifies Numazu's south gate and the conventional-line gates at Shizuoka and Hamamatsu; at other stations, meet in front of the gate.
- Allow for stairs between the gate and platform. Staff direct the movement, but you must carry and move your bicycle yourself while keeping distance from other passengers.
- The Fujiichi appendix states that there are no dedicated bicycle racks or dedicated bicycle spaces. Use the loaned rubber bands to secure the bicycle and support it yourself so it cannot fall or slide during sudden braking. Move it inside the carriage only once the train has stopped.
- Do not ride a bicycle anywhere in the station or train. On the platform, keep yourself and your bicycle behind the yellow tactile paving.
The notice does not list every eligible bicycle type or dimension specifically for the undismantled-bike service. Confirm unusual or difficult-to-handle bicycles with the operator before booking; do not infer a blanket approval for tandem or other specialist bikes.
If disruptions require replacement buses or taxis, bicycles cannot be carried on that replacement transport. The notice also excludes compensation for loss, damage or soiling of a brought bicycle. Keep these conditions in mind when planning onward travel.
For trains outside this cycle-train programme, the notice requires a bicycle to be dismantled, or a folding bicycle to be folded, and placed in a dedicated bag. It gives the ordinary bagged-bicycle limits as a total of height, width and depth no more than 250 cm, length no more than 2 m, and weight no more than 30 kg. These are not a promise that an assembled bike can go on your connecting train.
Separate cycling events and travel arrangements
Fujiichi is timed around the Mount Fuji round-trip cycling event announced for October 25, 2026. Train tickets do not include accommodation, meals or cycling-event participation. The notice gives that event's separate entry deadline as October 5 at 23:59, which had passed by this guide's October 11 check. Do not treat a train reservation as entry to the event or assume entries remain open. See the organizer's Fujiichi event site for updates.
The Fukuroi train is linked to the November 3 dango festival, while Hamaichi includes planned student activities and a separately sold cycling tour. Recheck details before traveling. The notice allows changes or cancellation and states that prescribed ticket-refund fees can apply.
Official updates and related autumn travel
The primary source is JR Central's September 11, 2026 cycle-train announcement and appendix. It directs readers to JR Central MARKET's Shizuoka page for later information. This is Japan Train's English summary; JR Central supplies the operator information and is not the author of this article.
For a separate station-based activity, see our Sawayaka Walking autumn guide. Those walking courses have their own dates and rules. Other dated railway announcements are in our rail news listing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Autumn Cycle Train 2026" by JR Central?
It is a programme of three special reserved-seat express services allowing bicycles aboard without dismantling them, subject to the published tickets and handling rules. Fujiichi serves Gotemba, Fukuroi serves Fukuroi, and Hamaichi serves the Lake Hamana area. They are separate services, rather than one train covering all three destinations.
When do the Autumn Cycle Train 2026 services operate?
Fujiichi travels outward on October 24 and returns on October 25, 2026. Fukuroi is announced for November 3 and Hamaichi for November 7. Fujiichi is not a daily round trip on both dates. The September notice says Fukuroi and Hamaichi timetables will be announced separately; no later matching timetable was verified for this guide.
How do I reserve a spot on the cycle train?
Buy the required tickets at a major JR station or travel-agency counter. Express and reserved-seat tickets go on sale at 10:00 one month before each operating date. The notice expressly excludes Eki-net, e5489 and reserved-seat ticket machines. Each direction needs a base-fare ticket as well as express and reserved-seat tickets; a commuter pass does not suffice. Availability must be checked with the seller.
What types of bicycles are allowed on the cycle train?
The notice permits bicycles to be brought aboard without dismantling them when travelers hold the required tickets. It does not enumerate every bicycle type or establish blanket approval for specialist bikes. Confirm unusual or hard-to-handle bicycles with the operator. You must move, secure and support your own bicycle, including on stairs where necessary.
Can I use the cycle train to travel from Tokyo or Nagoya?
Neither Tokyo nor Nagoya is a listed boarding station for these special services. Travel separately to one of the announced stations and allow enough time for the bicycle check-in. On connecting trains outside the programme, the notice requires a dismantled or folded bicycle in a dedicated bag within the stated size and weight limits.
Are there dedicated bicycle racks on the cycle train?
The Fujiichi appendix states that there are no dedicated racks or dedicated bicycle spaces. Loaned rubber bands are used to secure bicycles, and riders must also support them. Check the operator for the other services’ final equipment details. Do not ride in the train or station. Bicycles cannot be carried on replacement buses or taxis if disruption prevents the train from operating.
Where do I board the Hamaichi return cycle train?
Board at Bentenjima. Although the outward service can take riders to Bentenjima or Shinjohara, the November 7 return cannot be boarded at Shinjohara. It runs from Bentenjima toward Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Fuji and Mishima.
Does a Fujiichi train ticket include entry to the cycling event?
No. Accommodation, meals and cycling-event participation are separate from the train. The notice announced the Mount Fuji cycling event for October 25, 2026 and a separate entry deadline of October 5 at 23:59, already past at the October 11 information check. A train ticket does not establish event registration or current entry availability.