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Cycle Japan
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: CJXC
Overview
Destination:
Japan,
Duration:11 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
April 2026 - November 2027
Ride Tokyo’s streets like a local and discover off-the-beaten-track, historic villages with this 11-day trip where you’ll be guided by an expert local leader. Japan is the perfect destination to discover by bicycle – serene lakeside rides, rolling hills dotted with Edo-period merchant homes and streets fragrant with the aromas of renowned local cuisine await you. This cycling adventure gives you a slowed down, up close look at this fascinating country and provides plenty of opportunities to meet the locals and experience Japan’s culture. See the temples, shrines and geiko (geisha) of Kyoto, witness the frenetic but exhilarating chaos of Tokyo and behold the mountainous countryside of the Gifu Prefecture – this cycling adventure has it all.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 and Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased in Kyoto if needed.
5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available, and they are an 'on request' basis only.
6. Due to operational restrictions clients are unable to bring their own bikes on this trip.
7. Under Japanese law, all cyclists must have third-party liability insurance in the prefectures we ride through. As many travel insurance policies do not include this we will enrol you in local cover. To do this, we’ll need to collect your address and phone number at the welcome meeting.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 and Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased in Kyoto if needed.
5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available, and they are an 'on request' basis only.
6. Due to operational restrictions clients are unable to bring their own bikes on this trip.
7. Under Japanese law, all cyclists must have third-party liability insurance in the prefectures we ride through. As many travel insurance policies do not include this we will enrol you in local cover. To do this, we’ll need to collect your address and phone number at the welcome meeting.
Highlights:
- 1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you. 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 and Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 3. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details. 4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased in Kyoto if needed. 5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available, and they are an 'on request' basis only. 6. Due to operational restrictions clients are unable to bring their own bikes on this trip. 7. Under Japanese law, all cyclists must have third-party liability insurance in the prefectures we ride through. As many travel insurance policies do not include this we will enrol you in local cover. To do this, we’ll need to collect your address and phone number at the welcome meeting.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners.
- Transport: Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support vehicle, Train.
- Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights), Ryokan (2 nights).
- 9 days guided & vehicle-supported cycling.
- 9 Days Included Bicycle Hire.
- Kyoto - Gion District walk.
- Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
- Nara - Todaiji Temple.
- Omi Hachiman historic village visit.
- Gassho Village open air museum.
- Takayama morning market visit.
- Gifu Castle visit.
- Tokyo - Sensoji Temple.
- Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Kyoto
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in Kyoto – serving as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868, Kyoto is the spiritual centre of Zen Buddhism and one of the most historically important cities in Japan. Unlike many of its neighbours, Kyoto escaped destruction during WWII and thousands of temples, shrines and other historically invaluable structures survive in the city today. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe start exploring Kyoto – for a taste of Shogun life, head to the World Heritage-listed Nijo Castle, perhaps the best surviving example of castle architecture from feudal Japan. Or, you might like to have a moment of quiet reflection in one of the serene karesansui (Zen gardens) that dot the city. After, head out on an evening walk before sitting down to a welcome dinner with your group.
Day 2: Kyoto
After breakfast and a safety talk by your leader, familiarise yourself with your bike and take a short test ride before cycling west from your ryokan to the Katsura River, then north along a dedicated cycling path, past traditional houses and community gardens to the Imperial Villa in Arashiyama. If you have time, stop for a coffee break in Arashiyama, well-known for its gorgeous bamboo forests. Then, ride on to Tenryuji Temple and Ryoanji Temple. Pause for a moment of contemplation at Ryoanji’s Zen garden, then cycle east across the north end of Kyoto, onto the Philosopher’s Path and through the Higashiyama district. When you arrive back in Kyoto, take an evening orientation walk around the Gion district. If you’re lucky, you might see geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) in the city's old back streets and around the great local restaurants – maybe return here for dinner after the walk!
Day 3: Nara to Kyoto
Today’s cycling route will take you through beautiful Japanese scenery on a dedicated riverside cycling path, starting in the old capital of Kyoto and leading to the even older capital of Nara. Here, you'll see the 15-m-tall bronze Buddha housed in the Todaiji Temple. While you’re here, keep an eye out for the free-roaming deer that Nara is known for. Cycle south along the river for most of the day, stopping briefly at Nagarebashi – a 356-m-long wooden bridge that’s a popular filming location for jidaigeki (samurai dramas). Return to Kyoto by train later today.
Day 4: Hikone
Leave Kyoto behind and travel to Otsu, located on the shores of the sprawling Lake Biwa. Today’s ride will be long but relaxing as you cycle around the mostly flat shoreline of Japan's largest freshwater lake. Enjoy a lunch stop in Omi Hachiman, a tiny historic trading town on the ancient Nakasendo trading route, before ending your ride in lakeside Hikone. This small city is home to the feudal Hikone Castle, which has been officially designated as a national treasure. If you have time today, it’s well worth a visit. Otherwise, enjoy a free evening wandering the streets and dining at the local cafes or restaurants.
Day 5: Gero Onsen
Start the day early and take a train north into the heart of the Gifu Prefecture to the hot spring town of Gero Onsen. After checking into your hotel, step back in time at the Gassho Village – an open-air museum of farmhouses. This recreation of a centuries-old mountain village showcases steep-roofed houses and traditional folk art, giving you insight into a version of Japan far removed from its bustling cities. Take some time to explore, then gather with your fellow cyclists for an included dinner this evening.
Day 6: Takayama
Hop back on your bike today, following the Hida River as it winds its way through the rolling green hills north to Takayama. Today's journey takes you through beautiful scenery as you ride the quiet roads up the valley, flanked by wooded green hills and mountains. Arriving at Takayama in the early afternoon, you’ll have ample time to explore this fascinating, small city. Be sure to visit the beautifully preserved old town, dating back to the Edo period. The area is home to traditional sake breweries, handicraft shops and local food stores, offering a unique insight into Japanese culture and lifestyle. It’s a great spot to unwind after a good day of cycling.
Day 7: Gujo Hachiman
Rise early and head out to the famous Takayama morning market, one of the biggest morning markets in Japan. Cruise the many stalls selling everything from fruits and spices to handicrafts, then it's time to saddle up for the ride to Gujo Hachiman. This is the longest ride of the trip, but all the climbing is done first, followed by mostly downhill cruising on the quiet roads that meander through the mountainous landscape of this winter ski region. When you arrive, you’ll have ample time to wander the quiet streets and canals of this small town and take in its historical centrepiece – the 16th-century Hachiman Castle.
Day 8: Gifu
Today is your last rural ride as you cycle, mostly downhill, from Gujo Hachiman to the riverside city of Gifu. Gifu has had a significant impact on Japanese history since the 15th century. Discover a bit of its history yourself as you stretch your legs on a visit to Gifu Castle on nearby Mt Kinka – the views from here are spectacular. The rest of the day is free for you to continue your exploration at your own pace – maybe visit the museum dedicated to the epic Battle of Sekigahara or simply relax after a long but rewarding ride.
Day 9: Tokyo
No trip to Japan is complete without experiencing the country's legendary train system! Swap your bike for a train this morning and watch the scenic landscape fly by as you travel to Tokyo. When you arrive, hit the streets for an evening orientation walk. Explore the town’s contemporary centre as well as its older streets, feeling the hum of modern life around you.
Day 10: Tokyo
Hold on to your helmets and strap in for two rides in one day! Get a better feel for the different areas of Tokyo this morning as you cycle along the same local paths Tokyoites use to cut through the city. Keep your eyes peeled for architectural surprises – both old and new – at every turn. Along the way, you’ll visit many of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks – ride along the cherry tree-lined paths of Ueno Park (home of Tokyo’s most popular museums), Akihabara gadget town, the ‘Japan Bridge’ district of Nihonbashi and the upmarket district of Ginza with its dazzling array of high-end shops, galleries and cafes. Stop for a break to have lunch at the famous Tsukiji Outer Market before starting your second ride to see the Edo-era Imperial Palace, the 333-m-tall Tokyo Tower, the elegant Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, the man-made island of Tsukishima (Moon Island) and the Tokyo Skytree – the tallest building in Japan. Tonight, enjoy an included farewell dinner, then the rest of the evening is free for you to spend as you see fit. Maybe let loose at karaoke or walk and drink your way across the city with your local leader.
Day 11: Tokyo
With no further activities planned, it’s time to say sayonara to your Japanese adventure. If you’d like to extend your stay in Japan, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Dates
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Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
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Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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$8,546*
per person twin share
10 nights
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