Cycle and soak your way across Kyushu on this 6-day journey through Japan’s onsen heartland. Starting in Fukuoka, ride quiet backroads past rice fields, rivers, and historic landmarks as you connect charming hot spring towns by bike. Climb scenic mountain passes, explore ancient temples like Fuki-ji, and visit the samurai town of Kitsuki. The tour ends in Beppu, Japan’s onsen capital, where you can unwind in a variety of relaxing baths. A perfect blend of adventure, culture, and rejuvenation.
SpiceRoads CyclingCycling and Japanese onsen (hot spring) culture are a perfect pair—and there’s no better place to experience this blend than Kyushu. Located in southern Japan, Kyushu is renowned for its deep-rooted onsen traditions and stunning natural landscapes. Over six unforgettable days, you’ll ride across northeast Kyushu, linking one hot spring town to the next via scenic backroads that wind through rice paddies, river valleys, mountain passes, and historic sites.
Your journey begins in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s energetic capital. From there, you head east, starting your ride at one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and continuing through farmland and along the Chikugo River before climbing forested hills into Hita. The next two days bring more climbs and exhilarating descents as you cross the historic Fushiki Pass—once part of the old Kaido trade route—and circle the volcanic slopes of Mount Futago en route to the coast of the Kunisaki Peninsula. On your final day, you pedal into Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, where the tour comes to a relaxing close. Along the way, you’ll visit cultural gems like Fuki-ji, one of Japan’s oldest wooden temples, and Kitsuki, home to what’s said to be the country’s smallest samurai castle.
Get ready to ride, relax, and soak your way across the heart of Kyushu!