Spend the last few days of the tour in magical Kyoto
Spend the first few days exploring vibrant Tokyo
Cycle along the glorious coastline and see the artistic rice paddies of the area
Visit the historic district of Gion on day 12 and see apprentice geishas moving around town
Visit and perhaps stay in one of these uniquely steep thatched abodes on day 8
Visit this beautiful region on day 8 with its unusual architecture and stunning mountainside setting
Spend the first few nights at this comfortable hotel in Tokyo
A peaceful escape with a touch of Japan’s charm

Cycling in Japan

Duration
14 days
Site savings
$179
From
$8,756 USD

Discover the best of rural and modern Japan on two wheels over an unforgettable fortnight as you cycle tour from Tokyo to Kyoto. There is no better way of experiencing the ever-changing landscapes of Japan than on two wheels, as you pedal along the Fukui coast to the picturesque farmlands and remote mountainous regions of Takayama and Unesco-listed Shirakawa-go, where you are able to get a close feel for the timeless rhythms and customs of the Japanese countryside.

  • Category
    Cultural & Historical
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    14 days
  • Culture Level
    Out There
  • Skill Level
    3 - Intermediate
  • Activity Level
    3 - Active
  • Elevation
    3 - Intermediate
  • Terrain
    Mixed
  • Distance
    337.4 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    37.3 miles
operated by
Exodus Travels
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From temples, shrines and market visits, to hot springs, this trip offers excellent rural cycling without compromising on the cultural elements. No trip to Japan would be complete without a visit to Kyoto, Japan's age-old capital, with its peaceful Zen gardens and geisha districts and futuristic Tokyo: sprawling, inimitably busy and extraordinary.

Highlights include cycling rural roads through the peaceful Japanese countryside, discovering temples, zen gardens and geisha districts in Kyoto, riding the tranquil Fukui coast by the Sea of Japan, bathing in hot springs and visiting the UNESCO historic village of Shirakawa-go.

On this trip, you will cycle more than 500km (310mi) over 9 days with an average of 60km (37.2mi) per day so a good level of fitness is required. You will cycle mostly on surfaced roads with a few sections on country lanes, cycle paths and gravel. The routes are mainly undulating but they get hillier on the inland section to Takayama and Shirakawa-go where you will face some steady climbs. A support vehicle (with limited seats) accompanies the rides throughout the tour, except for the city bike tours in Kanazawa and Kyoto. Routes follow mainly quiet back roads with low levels of traffic, but this does increase when approaching towns. The tour operator does aim to cycle most of the route door-to-door, with only a few transfers and train rides organised to shorten some distances and avoid busier roads. Most rides will include some short sections through tunnels which are lit.

This trip is great for a first time visit to Japan as it encompasses the varying different aspects of the destination, from the serenity and history of Kyoto to the extraordinary and modern Tokyo.

Tour inclusions and exclusions at a glance:

What's included?
Items included in the cost of the tour

  • Accommodation
  • Support vehicle and luggage transfer
  • Breakfast daily
  • 5x Dinner
  • Transportation during the tour
  • Airport transfer in Tokyo if arriving at specified time and prebooked
  • Free bike rental is included in the price of this tour (upgrade options are available - please see below).
What's not included?
Items not included in the cost of the tour

  • International / Domestic flights
  • Visas
  • Helmet

Tour options and upgrades:

2 equipment options available
1 tour add-on available