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Japan Heritage
Duration
7 days
Site savings
$128
From
$4,122 USD
Get ready to experience authentic and historic Japan on this 7-day cycling tour of the Kansai region. Visit Kyoto's must-sees, while exploring hidden gems in the surrounding countryside. Enjoy meals of traditional Japanese cuisine, including learning how to make sushi. At night, rest your body in the hot springs at an authentic ryokan. Escape to the tranquil countryside for fantastic cycling and exploring. This guided cycle tour of Japan is perfect for first-time visitors and Japan-frequent travelers alike!
- CategoryCultural & Historical
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelOut There
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level2 - Moderate
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainMixed
- Distance159.1 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance26.1 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration7 days
- Main DestinationJapan
- Distance159.1 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance26.1 miles
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainMixed
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Kyoto by bike
On this adventure we hit the ground running (well, cycling)! Meeting at our tour hotel at 09:00 AM we’ll waste no time and head out on an inaugural 18 km ride to discover Kyoto which, for over a millennia, has been the cultural center of Japan. The city’s flat terrain, excellent bike paths, and treasure trove of heritage sites makes for wonderful urban riding. We visit Heian Shrine for a look at its massive red tori gate and wander the grounds of two of Kyoto’s most picturesque Zen temples: Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzenji Temple.
Before concluding the ride we’ll also swing by the Gion District, famous for its tea houses and traditional Geisha culture. Along the way we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant and, in the evening, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner.
- 11.2 miles
301.8 ft
301.8 ft- Via Inn Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi
- Lunch and Dinner
- Day 2Kyoto - Ogoto
Today we trade the hustle and bustle of central Kyoto for the serenity of its rural hinterland. The ride is one of the hilliest of the trip, but our efforts will be rewarded when we arrive in Ogoto, an area renowned for its hot springs (onsen)!
Our journey begins by skirting along the Takano River before branching out onto winding forested roads that take us to Kurama Village. We’ll set our bikes aside and stroll along the worshipers path up to Kurama Temple, where sweeping views over the surrounding forested hills await. We then ride to Ogoto, located near the shores of Lake Biwa.
We aim to arrive in time for a refreshing soak in the hot spring waters and, for dinner, we’ll enjoy kaiseki - a traditional multi-course Japanese meal known for its artful presentation and use of seasonal ingredients.
- 29.8 miles
- 173.9 ft
2,073.5 ft
1,899.6 ft - Komorebi Ryokan (Japanese style)
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Ogoto Onsen - Lake Biwa - Koka
After breakfast we jump on the saddle for a great day of riding along the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and its surroundings. Our route takes us straight across the kilometer and a half long Biwako Ohashi Bridge. As we pedal, enjoy wonderful views across the expansive waters.
Once we have reached the other side of the lake we will skirt along the shores until we reach the picturesque town of Omihachiman. Here we’ll explore the medieval canal flanked by cobbled walls and traditional houses. We then continue to traverse the scenic countryside until we reach the town of Koka where we’ll spend the night.
- 34.2 miles
- 397 ft
748 ft
351 ft - Route Inn Koka Minakuchi (Western style)
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4Koka - Nara
In the morning we’ll ride to Shigaraki, an area that made its name creating ceramic statues of tanuki (raccoon dogs). These ceramic figurines can still be found in many gardens, restaurants and drinking establishments in the area. From there, we will embark on an incredibly scenic stretch of riding as we head to Wazuka, one of Japan’s premier tea growing regions. We ride along small, winding back roads that dissect the expansive patchwork of perfectly manicured tea fields carved into the rolling hills of Wuzaka. The route is hilly but there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the views.
As we emerge from the tea fields of Wazuka we’ll complete the final stretch to Nara. For the last 15 km, we will be hopping on a local train in order to avoid the city traffic. Nara is another of Japan’s former capitals, but one which is now a small and compact city with some of the oldest and most impressive temple complexes in the country.
- 37.9 miles
- -308.4 ft
2,185 ft
2,493.4 ft - Nara Ryokan (Japanese style)
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Nara
- Day 6Nara - Uji - Kyoto
On our final day in the saddle we will ride along the banks of the Uji River and some quiet back roads leading back to Kyoto. We depart Nara in the morning and head towards Uji, a small and charming city famous for green tea, especially matcha. Uji is also home to the spectacular Byodoin temple, widely considered to be one of most beautiful temples in the country. We will stop here to admire the architecture before we continue back towards Kyoto.
Time permitting as we approach Kyoto we can visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the city's most recognizable attractions due to the thousands of red torii gates leading up the mountain behind the shrine. From here it is a 10 minute train ride into the city near our hotel. After arriving back in Kyoto, we'll check in to our hotel before meeting up for a final farewell dinner together.
- 31.1 miles
- -223.1 ft
636.5 ft
859.6 ft - Via Inn Kyotoeki Hachijoguchi (Western Style)
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Departure