Cycle Japan

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.

This incredible city boasts no fewer than 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites including 13 temples, three Shinto shrines and a 17th-century castle. We'll pick up our bikes and set out cycling to the Heian Jingu Shrine, before taking in the scenic Philosopher's Path, Eikando Temple and the 15th-century Ginkaku-ji Temple. After lunch, we'll cycle south along the Kamo River to Tofukuji Temple's rock gardens and the 1,001 statues of Kannon Bodhisattva (the goddess of mercy) located at the Sanjusangendo temple on the eastern edge of the city.



This evening is free for you to explore Kyoto at your own pace.



Please note that there is no vehicle support for today's ride and we'll be using simple local style bikes.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 17 kilometres/10.6 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 60 metres/197 feet.

This morning, we'll travel by train (a journey of just over two hours) to Kanazawa, a city that once rivalled Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) in cultural importance. Once home to the powerful Maeda Clan, today it serves as the capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture and boasts the stunning setting of the Kenrokuen Gardens, considered to be one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens.



This afternoon, we'll pick up our bikes and meet our guide, before heading off to visit the gardens. Started in 1632 by the Maedas, Kenrouken took nearly two centuries to complete. It translates from their original Japanese as the 'Garden of the Six Sublimities' and covers over 11 hectares of land on the outskirts of Kanazawa Castle.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 8 kilometres/5 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 60 metres/197 feet. Again, there is no support vehicle joining us today.

A note before we pedal north this morning, our main luggage will be forwarded to Wakura Onsen today, so you'll need to pack enough for the next four days in a smaller bag. The smaller bags will be transported in the support van, leaving you free to enjoy the ride.



Our destination today is Chirihama Beach in Hakui, lying to the north of Kahoku. The eight-kilometre/x mile beach is famous for its unique tightly compacted sand which, at a quarter of the size of normal sand, makes it firm enough to actually cycle on.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres/37.3 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 220 metres/722 feet.

Keeping the Sea of Japan on our left, we'll continue following the coast north today, heading for the city of Wajima in the northern half of the Noto Peninsula. One of the most scenic coastal landscapes in Japan, the Noto Peninsula extends into the Sea of Japan for 100 kilometres/62.2 miles, providing us with a beautifully secluded journey north. We'll travel by way of the Ganmon National Park and stop off to visit the Sojiji Temple and Gardens, once one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in Japan. Founded in 1321, it was the head temple of the Soto sect, before a great fire in 1898 saw its functions transferred to a sister temple in Yokohama.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 66 kilometres/41 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 680 metres/2,231 feet.

This morning, we'll pay a visit to Wajima's famous Morning Market, one of the city's most famous attractions. Believed to date back over 1,000 years, it brings together vendors selling all manner of goods, from fresh fish and produce, to handicrafts and lacquerware, Wajima's most celebrated export. Renowned throughout Japan, Wajima lacquerware is famed for its durability, with each piece requiring the skills of several craftsmen and dozens of processes. Following our visit, we'll then continue on our journey, heading towards the northeastern tip of the peninsula and the waters of Iida Bay.



Tonight. We'll sleep in a traditional Japanese ryokan guesthouse.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 47 kilometres/29.2 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 690 metres/2264 feet.

We'll complete our ride around the Noto Peninsula today as we follow its eastern edge towards the town of Noto Ushitsu. The very remoteness of this landscape has been one of its most enduring features for centuries and much of this stunning peninsula has been granted a Quasi-National Park status.



Tonight, we'll sleep in a hotel with traditional Japanese-style rooms.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 49 kilometres/30.5 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 690 metres/2264 feet.

The waters of Nanao Bay and the famous hot springs of Wakura Onsen beckon today. One of the oldest resort towns in Japan, legend has it that these hot springs were discovered over 1,200 years ago when a local fisherman found a white heron curing its wounds in the steaming waters. Today, its healing waters are said to cure everything from muscle aches and stiff joints to chronic skin disease and frail children! The town is also famed for its seafood, with a number of its traditional inns serving up a mouthwatering choice of oysters, crabs, deep-water shrimps and abalones. The perfect cure for body and soul after our four days of cycling.



Tonight, we'll sleep in a traditional Japanese ryokan guesthouse with en suite facilities. We will be reunited here with our main luggage.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 71 kilometres/44.1 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 870 metres/2854 feet.

This morning, our journey turns inland as we leave the Ishikawa Prefecture for neighbouring Toyama. As before, our main luggage will go on ahead and we'll use our day bags for the next two nights, carried with us in our support vehicle.



Our ride today includes the biggest hill of our entire trip, but also takes in a rural landscape of rice paddies and mountain peaks, finishing at the mountain village of Shogawa Onsen. 'Onsens' are hot springs that were traditionally used as public bathing places, they make the most of Japan's active volcanic landscapes and can be found all over rural Japan. There is a distinct etiquette to bathing, with cleanliness and social niceties being observed by participants - rowdiness and tattoos are particularly frowned upon (tattoos in Japan have long been associated with criminal Yakuza gangs).



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 71 kilometres/44.1 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 860 metres/2822 feet.

Today, we'll head into the remote countryside of the Shogawa River Valley on our final ride, where we'll find several beautifully preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouses. With their steep thatched roofs, constructed to resemble the praying hands of Buddhist monks, some of these houses are over 250 years old. Developed over many generations and designed to withstand the heavy falls of snow that regularly envelop the region in winter, these roofs are constructed without nails and the large attics were traditionally used to cultivate silkworms. Our final destination today is the historic village of Shirakawa-go which, along with neighbouring Gokayama, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 57 kilometres/35.4 miles with a total accumulated ascent of 820 metres/2,690 feet. Please note that we will be cycling through several tunnels today.

We plan to visit one of the traditional farmhouses of Shirakawa-go this morning before we travel by bus (a 90-minute journey) back to Kanazawa. It's from here that we'll take the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) to Japan's capital city, Tokyo. The journey will take a speedy two and a half hours and we'll most likely arrive in the late afternoon.



Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, home to more than 26 million people including the Japanese imperial family. The city holds a lot of history as well as modern shopping centres and the neon illuminated signs it's famous for. Half of the city was rebuilt after being destroyed in the war but there are still many historic temples and gardens that remain and await exploration. On arrival, we'll have the chance to explore this fascinating city.



No cycling today.

Today is left free for you to explore, wander and shop at leisure or take an optional guided tour of Tokyo.



Your tour leader will be on hand to assist and give guidance today. A typical itinerary would be to visit the Asakusa Sensoji temple followed by a river cruise to the Hama-rikyu Gardens, Meiji Shrine and finally the Shinjuku Government Building for great views over Tokyo. It's also possible to rent a bike locally and explore - your tour leader will be able to provide details.



Optional cycling today.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Tokyo.



There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT). The city centre is around an hour away from Haneda Airport and an hour and a half from Narita. The journey will be unescorted and, depending on your airport and flight time, you'll either be on a shared shuttle bus or train.