Cycle Japan

11 Days | Take a mind-blowing cycling tour of historic, cultural, rural and modern Japan

4.9 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Cycling
From
EUR €6,125
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From world-class sushi to legendary geisha, enthralling Japan is the perfect destination to discover by bicycle. Our cycling adventure gives you a slowed down, up close look of this fascinating country and allows ample opportunity to meet locals and glimpse the unique culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. From the temples, shrines and geisha of Kyoto to the frenetic but exhilarating chaos of Tokyo, and the beautiful serenity of the Noto Peninsula countryside in between, this cycling adventure has it all.

Trip overview

Map of Cycle Japan including Japan
Start
Kyoto, Japan
Finish
Tokyo, Japan
Theme
Cycling
Destinations
Japan
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
CJXC
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Cycling allows you to get closer to the real Japan – from bicycles to Pokemon, serene temples to the organised chaos of the big cities, this classic adventure has it all.
  • Choose to end rewarding days in the saddle with amazing Japanese feasts of sushi, unagi, tempura or even fugu, all washed down with a traditional sake or Sapporo beer.
  • Ride both bikes and trains for the ultimate change of pace.
  • Cycle through peaceful landscapes that show a land far from the big city lights of Tokyo.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for you?
  • While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short (anywhere from 10 to 80km / 6-50 miles of cycling each day) the terrain of the Noto Peninsular is naturally hilly and, being coastal, the climate can vary dramatically. Most people with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy the trip, but remember we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.
  • To complete this trip it is important that you are confident and competent in riding a bicycle, both solo and in a group environment.
  • While we always aim to ride to our next accommodation, outside of the main cities a support vehicle will also be with you at all times. Please note that the maximum number of cyclists we can fit in the support vehicle is 6.
  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back-marker where needed) There may be times when a client is asked to be the back marker if the vehicle cannot travel directly behind the group.
  • If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort we have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip. Limited sizes are available so book quickly!

Itinerary

Map of Cycle Japan including Japan

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), ryokan (4 nights)

Activities
  • 9 days guided & vehicle-supported cycling
  • 9 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
  • Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Garden
  • Kanazawa - Nomura Samurai House
  • Myojoji Temple
  • Cycling on Chirihama Beach
  • Kadomi Traditional House Visit
  • Agehama-style traditional salt-making farm
  • Shiroyone Thousand Rice Paddies Visit
  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
  • Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market
Add on activities
  • Kyoto - Cooking Class - JPY6000
  • Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY400
  • Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Kyoto - Nanzenji Temple - Free
  • Kyoto - Shosei Strolling Garden - JPY500
  • Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market - Free
  • National Museum - JPY500
  • Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY3150
  • Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY500
  • Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple - JPY600
  • Kanazawa - Omicho Market - Free
  • Kanazawa - Castle - JPY310
  • Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY200
  • Tokyo - Edo-Tokyo Museum - JPY600
  • Tokyo - Samurai Sword Museum - JPY600
  • Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine - Free
  • Tokyo - Karaoke - JPY2000
  • Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Nippon Professional Baseball League game - JPY2000
  • Soba noodle class - JPY4100
  • Tokyo - Japanese & Calligraphy lesson - JPY2000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

IMPORTANT UPDATE ABOUT JAPAN: it's essential that you read 'Passports, visas and entry requirements' section in Essential Trip Information first before booking your trip so that you fully understand the current requirements in place for travelling to Japan.

If you book the trip within 30 days before departure, please ensure that 1) you request a copy of the Agreement Form with your booking agent and return a signed copy within 2 business days 2) check with your local consulate and ensure that you'll have enough time to get the tourist visa for your trip. Normal booking conditions apply for any bookings within 30 days before departure. It may take 7 business days to confirm a booking and issue ERFS certificate when the trip is on request.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 1,2,3,5,7,8 (Ryokan) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we always aim to ride to our next accommodation, outside of the main cities a support vehicle will also be with you at all times. Please note that the maximum number of cyclists we can fit in the support vehicle is 6.
3. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available, and they are an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.
4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased locally if needed.
5. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back-marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back-marker.
6. Due to the expense of private transport, distances of airports from cities, and the fact that Japan has very efficient public transport airport links, transfers are not offered in Japan. Please see the Joining Point Instructions in the trip notes for more information.
7. Please note, decorative tattoos are uncommon in Japanese culture and therefore you may receive curious and sometimes disapproving looks from locals. Generally, nobody will make a comment about your tattoos but please endeavor to wear modest clothing and be aware that you may not be able to enter public onsens.
8. It is essential you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. From May 2020 there will be size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage over 160-250cm may require an additional 1000 JPY fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will not be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your Welcome Meeting if your luggage is over 160-250cm so they can make the necessary arrangements! Failure to notify your tour leader of luggage over 160-250cm will require the passenger to pay the oversize luggage fee.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

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Bradly · Traveled November 2019
Mitch, our guide, Kenji and Tats were excellent! I did not have to worry about a thing. The route was beautiful, I had to pinch myself saying "I'm riding my bike through rice paddies in Japan!" The route was beautiful I would do it again! Thanks guys!
Review submitted 29 Nov 2019

Richard · Traveled November 2019
A great experience. Insight into many different aspects of Japan. Good accommodation, good food (quite a lot of raw fish which I was surprised to find I liked). Well organised. Lots of good humour shared by group and team. Cycling not too tough.
Review submitted 30 Nov 2019

Rory · Traveled November 2019
trip was amazing - Japan such a lovely country but the experience was made all the better due to the leaders we had and the exerience and knowledge they provided - highly recommend this trip
Review submitted 03 Dec 2019

Clare · Traveled November 2019
A great trip, and undeniably the best way to see Japan is by Cycling. Mitch it a knowledgeable and adaptive leader, Kenji is great for a smile, joke and support along the way and Tat's is a great calm force marshalling the back riders and negotiating traffic. Everybody should get onboard this trip.
Review submitted 28 Nov 2019

Andrea · Traveled November 2019
Fabulous trip led by exceptional guides. Our tour guide Mitch really went the extra mile to make this an amazing holiday by being super attentive, supportive, helpful and organized. Together with Kenji our driver and Tats our sub-leader we cycled over 400km in great team spirits, learned about Japanese culture and food. We didn’t get lost once one the way nor had accidents when cycling through the 4 seasons uphill, downhill, remote and in the cities. Noto peninsula was beautifully remote and we got some amazing relaxation in the Japanese Onsen after the long rides. It was my first cycle holiday and I had great fun. The group was one of the best I have met on group trips so far – miss you guys already! Really recommend this holiday and Japan if you want something special. And of course, you must test the sashimi grade by eating fatty tuna and salmon sashimi at the Tokyo fish market 😊 Thank you Mitch, Kenji, Tats – you made this such a great trip for us!
Review submitted 30 Nov 2019
Cycle Japan
From
EUR €6,125