Highlights
Sado Island - Discover breathtaking landscapes, rugged coastal beauty, rich culture and historical significance Kyoto and Tokyo - Get lost amongst the bustle and vibrancy of Japan's two biggest cities, teeming with cultural hot spots and ancient sites Delicious local food - Refuel with tasty Japanese cuisine from street food in the city, to authentic local meals in the countryside
Itinerary
Japan’s kaleidoscopic culture and landscapes are best experienced on two wheels, and this 13-day cycling tour is designed for the adventurous traveler. Pedal from Kyoto’s ancient temples to the vibrant energy of Tokyo, passing through Kanazawa, Toyama, and the hidden gem of Sado Island along the way.
Highlights include cycling quiet rural roads, exploring famed Japanese gardens, and sampling local seafood in coastal towns. Rest in traditional ryokans and cap off your journey with a thrilling bullet train ride into Tokyo’s neon-lit heart.
The USP here is the off-the-beaten-path exploration—this tour takes you beyond the usual highlights, immersing you in the rhythm of Japanese life and the country’s stunning scenery, all at a perfect cycling pace.
day 1Join tour in historic Kyoto
Our journey begins today in the old Imperial capital of Kyoto, regarded by many as the country's loveliest city. Lying at the heart of Japanese culture and influence for over 1,000 years, Kyoto was the epicentre of events that shaped Japan. One of the only major cities to survive the extensive bombing of WWII, the city boasts more than 2,000 temples and shrines, many set in manicured landscaped gardens, making it the cradle of all things uniquely Japanese. Our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Kyoto at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kansai International Airport (KIX) which is approximately two hours away, or Osaka International Airport (ITM) which takes around an hour. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, we recommend visiting one of Kyoto's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is perhaps the most spectacular, but you'll have to battle the crowds to get that perfect photo. If you'd prefer a lesser-known spot with fewer fellow tourists, we recommend Toji Temple with its towering pagoda and great gardens. For impressive buildings, Nishi-Honganji Temple is hard to beat, and its convenient location puts it within easy walking distance from our hotel. Slightly further afield, but still an easy train ride away, is the Arashiyama district. Here you can enjoy beautiful mountain scenery, a punt on the river, great food, beautiful gardens and even hike up to see wild monkeys. Trains leave regularly from Kyoto train station. Japanese hotels have strict rules regarding check in and all customers are required to wait until 3 PM for room access. You will be able to store your luggage while waiting but if you require an early check in, then you should request this at the time of booking. We do not guarantee this will be possible and depending on availability an extra fee will be charged.
day 2Kyoto sightseeing by bike. Including Ginkaku-ji and along The Philosopher's Path to the Nanzen-ji temple complex
day 3Morning train to Kanazawa. Bike tour of Kenroku-en Garden and the old teahouse district
day 4Bus to Shirakawa-go, famous for its traditional farmhouses. Cycle to Tonami
day 5Cycle to Toyama Bay. Visit Zuiryuji Temple and Kanayamachi historic merchant’s street
day 6Toyama Bay cycle ride. Train to Itoigawa
day 7Coastal cycle ride from Itoigawa to Naoe. Catch the local ferry to Sado Island
day 8Tarai Tub Boat Experience. Visit Ogi Folk Museum and Traditional fishing village of Shukunegi
day 9A cycle ride through Sado Island’s Gold Mining Area
day 10Cycling from Two Turtles to Sado City. Visit Toki Ibis Preservation Centre
day 11Morning Ride with Pottery Studio visit. Ferry to Niigata and Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo
day 12Enjoy Tokyo from our base in the historic Asakusa district a stone's throw from Sensoji temple
day 13Tour ends in Tokyo
What's Included
Customer Reviews
Had a great cycling trip to Japan. Santiago, Alberto and Max looked after us very well. The bikes, the scenery and the food were amazing. Thoroughly recommend
Japan cycle with EXplore was excellent . The Leader was very efficient, the sights , descriptions and knowledge were very good . I would say getting us 12 riders from A to B , on bullet trains, buses and bikes was exceptional. The whole team of the 5 support personnel were very good. Japan is diverse so we had to contend with some built up areas , which were compensated by incredible mountain descents and Sado Island coastal riding . The bikes were great , perfect for this tour . We found that most hotels did not have a common bar area to socialise after the rides , but when there was we made up for it !
The trip as a whole was great and it took me to Japan a first time. Bikes were fantastic, all new. Food and lodge fantastic because all the hotels had onsens with warm water to heal your muscles. Food always good. So well done. I think however that you should discourage vegetarians to go. They got real crappy food if food at all. That was badly handled. Our group was 10 people and 5 had e-bikes. Not a great combination. I felt a certain stress to keep up and only the experienced riders were able to stop and take photos. More breaks would be good. I was the least experienced and the first days We cycled 70, 40 and 70 km. After that I took a day in the van to get a break. I think we all could have used a days break. I was aware of distances in advance, but it was more elevated than I anticipated. Our tourleader took us through everything, no problem, all travels good, no mistakes. He could have been more informative on occasion. As a whole I’m very pleased. Thank you. Christina Celsing Sweden
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