The tour group meets in well-connected Fukuoka, from which you'll quickly head out with a ride along the Chikugo River to an Edo-era town. After climbing up the only significant hill on this trip, there is a leisurely descent to the town of Usa, followed by a visit to a Shinto shrine dating back to 708. Now it's time to ride around the conical 731 m-high (2398 ft) Mt. Futago volcano, which has 28 ravines extending radially from its centre. Cycling around the perimeter avoids a somewhat daunting climb and provides the opportunity to explore the beaches, ports, and hidden temples in the forest. This area is also very rural and known for producing scallions, leeks, tomatoes and prized kabosu limes.
SpiceRoads CyclingThe forested slopes of Kunisaki peninsula of Kyushu have samurai castles, Buddhist temples and rugged volcanic nature to reveal. Many overlook this remote corner of Kyushu but those who make the effort will discover some of the most undisturbed pawā spotto (spiritual places) in all of Japan. This cycle tour includes visits to some of the more famous of these places, as well as rides by some of the lesser known, more rustic ones.
The tour group meets in well-connected Fukuoka, quickly heading out with a ride along the Chikugo River to an Edo-era town. After climbing up the only significant hill on this tour, there is a long descent to the town of Usa, where the group will visit a Shinto shrine dating back to 708. Now it's time to ride around the conical 731 m-high (2398 ft) Mt. Futago volcano, which has 28 ravines extending radially from its centre. Cycling around the perimeter avoids a somewhat daunting climb and provides the opportunity to explore the beaches, ports, and hidden temples in the forest. This area is also very rural and known for producing scallions, leeks, tomatoes and prized kabosu limes.
Before leaving the peninsula there will be a visit to the town Kitsuki, often referred to as "little Kyoto" of Kyushu Island. This picturesque town is often used today as backdrops for Japanese movies based in the Edo Period. The group will go to the historic Samurai district, and to Kitsuki Castle, the smallest in Japan. The last stop of the tour is one of Japan's top spa destinations, Beppu. Besides luxuriating in an onsen you can also see Beppu's unique hot springs where the water bubbles forth in different manifestations - ruby red, steamy blue, muddy brown and even a geyser that shoots off about every 35 minutes.