Cycling in Japan

Day 1  Tokyo          
Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel. Later in the evening meet with your fellow travellers.          

Day 2  Tokyo        
Take an orientation tour of Tokyo’s highlights. Starting from the popular district of Asakusa, visit Semso-ji, a Buddhist temple reached via the Nakamise, a shopping street where you can find a variety of traditional, local snacks and souvenirs. The afternoon is free to explore Tokyo at your leisure. Visit the must see attractions of the city - such as Shibuya known for the busy crossing.          

Day 3  Tokyo to Kanazawa          
In the morning, take the express train to Kanazawa, an atmospheric town that once rivalled Kyoto as the historical jewel of mainland Japan. After lunch, enjoy a short cycling loop around the city, ride through the popular Nagamachi Samurai District, an area which preserves a historic atmosphere featuring samurai residences, narrow lanes and water canals. Later, visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens, which is particularly spectacular during cherry blossom season and autumn.

Day 4  Kanazawa to Togi        
Leave Kanazawa behind and cycle along the Sea of Japan. This route is a unique attraction in Japan as it is open not only to bikes, but also to cars, allowing drivers to get really close to the water's edge. After a leisurely and flat ride by the Sea of Japan, we arrive at Kaga, a town known for hot springs and traditional crafts. Here, we take a break from cycling to enjoy a local lunch.

Day 5  Togi To Echizen        
Today, we ride south along the Echizen-kaigan coastline before turning inland towards the town of Echizen, the city of artisans. En route, we stop by a traditional pottery village to learn about the rich history of Echizen ware and enjoy a soba noodle lunch. After, we continue our cycle to to Echizen.

Day 6  Echizen to Tsuruga
Start with a deep dive into the world of traditional Japanese knife-making at the Takefu knife village. During our visit, we not only learn about this centuries-old craft, but also make our own letter opener.
Afterwards, we ride back out to the coast along one of the first train lines in Japan, now a cycling route. Along the way, we visit the splendid house of a ship owner from the Edo period and stop for a lunch with scenic views.  

Day 7  Tsuruga
After breakfast, for our final ride in the Fukui prefecture, we embark on a loop around the five lakes of Mikata and Wakasa Bay, including a break for lunch at a seafood restaurant in a tranquil setting.        

Day 8  Tsuruga to Shirakawa-go          
Take a break from cycling and experience a dramatic change of landscape as you travel inland by train and then bus to Shirakawa-go. This spectacular and secluded mountainous region was cut off from the rest of Japan for a long period of time. Arrive in Shirakawa-go in the afternoon, in time to enjoy a leisurely walk through the picture-perfect mountain village.    

Day 9  Shirakawa-go to Hida Takayama        
Today is the most challenging ride of the trip, as you cycle inland to Hida Takayama at the foothills of the Japanese Alps. Riding out of Shirakawa-go, from an altitude of approx 500m above sea level, gradually climb up 1,100m for the first 45km of the route. There are some wonderful views to be enjoyed along the way. On the last section of the ride, enjoy two great descents before reaching your destination, Hida Takayama. Spend the night in a traditional Japanese guesthouse.    

Day 10  Hida Takayama to Gujo Hachiman    
Cycle the Hida Seseragi Highway, a beautiful route which follows the mountain streams and is one of the most popular places to experience the striking autumn colours in Japan. Riding past little villages, shrines and paddy fields, reach the pleasant riverside town of Gujo-hachiman, known for its pristine waterways and its 16th Century castle. Before dinner there is time for a pleasant stroll through the vibrant town's centre, and along the atmospheric canals and waterways.
     
Day 11  Gujo Hachiman to Gifu          
Enjoy a pleasant and more leisurely ride along the Nagara River, famed across Japan for its clear water and quiet beauty. Pedal along the river for most of the day and make a stop in the pleasant town of Mino, a century-old production centre of high quality traditional Japanese paper. Arrive in Gifu, your final destination today, where there will be time for an optional visit to the castle located atop Mount Kinka.          

Day 12  Gifu to Kyoto      
After breakfast, travel by train to the wonderful city of Kyoto. With over 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a treasure trove of Japan's cultural heritage, and remains undoubtedly one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. Taking a walk in the historic district of Gion, which is at its most atmospheric in the early evening when the lanterns are lit and apprentice geishas flit about the back streets on their way to their appointments, is recommended.    

Day 13  Kyoto    
Today's cycling loop explores some of the best areas and attractions of Kyoto. Stop for a visit at the Ryoanji Temple, the site of Japan's most famous rock garden, and the splendid Kinkakuji, one of Japan's most iconic landmarks. In the evening, enjoy an optional celebratory farewell dinner in one of the most authentic restaurants in the city.        

Day 14  Kyoto        
Your tours comes to an end today.