Cycle Japan

11 days4.311 reviews
Cycling
From
EUR €4,850

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

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 mountain serenity of the Gifu Prefecture countryside in between, this cycling adventure has it all.

Map of Cycle Japan including Japan
Trip code: CJXC
Start
Kyoto, Japan
End
Tokyo, Japan
Destinations
Japan
Meals
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support vehicle, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Ryokan (2 nights)
Days
11
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 14
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Cycling
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
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
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.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 March 2024 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Cycle Japan including Japan

Inclusions and activities

Meals

10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Ryokan (2 nights)

Included activities
  • 9 days guided & vehicle-supported cycling
  • 9 Days Included Bicycle Hire
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
  • Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Nara - Todaiji Temple
  • Omi Hachiman historic village visit
  • Gassho Village open air museum
  • Takayama morning market visit
  • Gifu Castle visit
  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
  • Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market

Optional activities
  • Kyoto - Kiyomizu-dera - JPY500
  • Kyoto - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Kyoto - Nanzenji Temple - JPY600
  • Kyoto - Shosei Strolling Garden - JPY500
  • Kyoto - Nishiki-Koji Market - Free
  • National Museum - JPY700
  • Kyoto - Gion Corner cultural centre - JPY5500
  • Kyoto - Ryoanji Zen Garden - JPY600
  • Kyoto - Tenryuji Temple - JPY600
  • Nara - Kasuga Grand Shrine - Free
  • Kyoto - Hikone Castle - JPY800
  • 3 visit Onsen (spa) pass - JPY1300
  • Hida Folk Village - JPY700
  • Takayama Jinya historic building complex - JPY440
  • Matsuri no Mori festival museum - JPY1000
  • Hachiman Castle - JPY300
  • Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum - JPY500
  • Tokyo - Shinjuku-gyoen - JPY500
  • Tokyo - Edo-Tokyo Museum - JPY600
  • Tokyo - Samurai Museum - JPY3300
  • Tokyo - Meiji Jingu Shrine - Free
  • Tokyo - Karaoke - JPY2000
  • Tokyo - Imperial Palace - Free
  • Nippon Professional Baseball League game - JPY2000
  • Soba noodle class - JPY4000
  • Tokyo - Japanese & Calligraphy lesson - JPY2000

Is this trip right for you?

  • While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short (anywhere from 10 to 80 km / 6 to 50 miles of cycling each day) the terrain of the Gifu Prefecture is naturally hilly and the climate can vary dramatically. Most people with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy the trip, but you 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. In Japan, we can fit a maximum of four cyclists in the support vehicle.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • When we aren't cycling on this trip, we primarily use public transport, which is efficient and convenient in Japan. Please pack light and compact as you will be expected to transport your luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.
  • Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.

2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 and Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased in Kyoto if needed.

5. 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.

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

4.3 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Eileen · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 11 Nov 2024

Sarah · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 16 Oct 2024

alasdair · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 12 Oct 2024

Toni · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 29 Sep 2024

ivana · Traveled July 2024
Review submitted 14 Aug 2024
Cycle Japan
From
EUR €4,850