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New Zwift world! Riding the Yumezi map in the Makuri Islands

Video + first ride: Zwift adds first Japan-inspired Yumezi map to all-new Makuri Islands world

There are eight new routes to explore and complete on the virtual cycling platform... and we've already given it a go
by Anna Marie Hughes
UPDATED Thu, May 20, 2021 09:10

First Published May 20, 2021

11

Online cycling/running platform Zwift has unveiled the first map within its new Makuri Islands world. The Yumezi map is inspired by Japanese culture and is available for Zwifters to ride before the virtual cycling platform hosts the first-ever official Olympic Virtual Series ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

2021 Zwift Yumezi map 1

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Yumezi, pronounced yu-meh-zi, means “path to dreams” and it is a Japanese haiku-inspired name. It is the first map in the all-new Makuri Islands that Zwift says is primed for future expansion.

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The new Yumezi world has a total of eight new routes for you to explore, with over 53 miles of new roads.

2021 Zwift Yumezi map 2

“Zwifters exploring the new map will discover lush green fields, ginkgo forests bristling with life and mystical creatures, cherry blossom trees, gushing waterfalls and ancient temples,” says Zwift.

2021 Zwift Yumezi map 5

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Described by Zwift as a map for the senses, the platform recommends hiding your display to soak in the virtual scenery. Zwift recently introduced its Hide Display function for riding without numbers and instead with just the landscape showing onscreen.

Yumezi is said to boast a wide variety of road types from tight, flat, winding roads ideal for fast races to dirt roads.

2021 Zwift Yumezi map 6

The shortest route is the 3.3km Sea to Tree route that’s packed with a short challenging climb, while the longest is the Countryside Tour which’s 15.9km.

2021 Zwift Yumezi map 7

From shortest to longest, the new routes are as follows (in Zwift's own words):

  • Sea to Tree (3.3km/108m elevation) - A short, challenging climb from the peaceful Fishing Village.
  • Spirit Forest (8.5km/135m elevation) - Grind your way through this mystical figure 8. Visit at night and ride with the spirits!
  • Kappa Quest (9.1km/140m elevation) - This scenic loop is filled with Temples and Shrines.
  • Three Village Loop (10.6km/93m elevation) - Climb, sprint and explore three unique villages in one go.
  • Two Village Loop (12.8km/88m elevation) - Explore two villages as you pedal through this challenging circuit. 
  • Flatland Loop (13km/99m elevation) - A gentle and flat route winding around the countryside.
  • Chain Chomper (13.6km/184m elevation) - Two challenging KOMs and a Sprint, test your endurance around the countryside.
  • Countryside Tour (15.9km/185m elevation) - From farmlands to mystical mountains, this looped route is the perfect way to visit the countryside!

Zwifters can explore all of the new roads of Yumezi from today to 30 May 2021, and then starting from 1 June, Yumezi will be part of Zwift’s regular rotation of worlds.

2021 Zwift Yumezi map 4

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympic road race routed up the lower slopes of Mount Fuji, perhaps the mountain climb will be coming soon to this Japan-themed world.

www.zwift.com

2021 Zwift Yumezi map
Zwift
Indoor Cycling
Anna Marie Hughes

Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.

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10 comments

Avatar
Rendel Harris | 3 years ago
1 like

Rode all the routes over the course of yesterday (slow work day - very well spaced out!) and I must say I'm a bit underwhelmed. There are some nice spots but too much of it is generic green countryside that could be part of any of the worlds. Feels like a "time for a new release, quick cobble something together" to me, unlike for example Alpe du Zwift or the France world which feel really nicely crafted. As a subscriber I'd far sooner Zwift had put their efforts into adding a few more classic climbs, I'd gladly swap this entire world for a Stelvio or Tourmalet route.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to Rendel Harris | 3 years ago
1 like

Well said.
I too struggled to get the "most scenic world yet PR". 
I'd settle for timed corners on Ventop like the Alpe. 

Or Wormholes between worlds - base of the Alpe to Base of Ventop with no stopping.

 

 

Avatar
PRSboy replied to Rendel Harris | 3 years ago
0 likes

Exactly my feeling about it. Personally, I'd love to see a 'Spring/Northern Classic' type world. 

Word is that this release is the beginning of it, and there's more to come so let's wait and see. Is a climb up Mt Fuji too much to hope for...

Avatar
PRSboy | 3 years ago
0 likes

Just the job for something new to do until this particular run of weather improves.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

Loath as I am to complain about a new world in Zwift, would it have been too much to whack in a couple of routes that take in most of those 53 miles in 1 hit?

Even the longest isn't going to take much over 1/2hr, which makes workouts a bit more repetitive than they need to be.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

you can always complete a route and then self navigate to somewhere different.

I'm more worried that off road surfaces seem to be quite prevalent. But at least the leaderboards here will not be dominated by people who rode segments before the change in surface friction was applied, as in the jungle area in watopia.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to wycombewheeler | 3 years ago
0 likes

You can change a direction yes - but thats not quite the same as being able to go to interesting places when your in the midst of sufering that Z7 interval though...   With the exception of the smaller maps I've never been able to internalise the directions in in Zwift - up to say France/Innsbrook Im ok, but NYC or Watopia forget it!  I need a virtual GPS dagnabit!

I shouldnt moan about being given more degrees of freedom I guess.

Avatar
dave atkinson replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

there can't be 53 miles, anyway. i did an hour's ride to put the vid together and there wasn't much left. 53km maybe?

Avatar
Jetmans Dad replied to dave atkinson | 3 years ago
2 likes

dave atkinson wrote:

there can't be 53 miles, anyway. i did an hour's ride to put the vid together and there wasn't much left. 53km maybe?

I think it is 53 miles if you add up the 8 routes ... but obviously some (all?) of the roads themselves appear in multiple routes. 

Avatar
fukawitribe replied to Jetmans Dad | 3 years ago
0 likes

Jetmans Dad wrote:

dave atkinson wrote:

there can't be 53 miles, anyway. i did an hour's ride to put the vid together and there wasn't much left. 53km maybe?

I think it is 53 miles if you add up the 8 routes ... but obviously some (all?) of the roads themselves appear in multiple routes. 

Yep, that's it. From Zwift press release

Quote:

Explore and train on over 50 miles (80 km) of new roads with eight routes.

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