Compare Japan Biking by Butterfield & Robinson vs Cycling in Japan by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 9,495 | $ 9,300 |
| Price Per Day | $ 1,187 | $ 664 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
All Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
All breakfasts and five dinners are included. Japanese cuisine is usually one of the main highlights of any trip to Japan. It is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes usually prepared with seasonal ingredients. Seafood is very common, and usually grilled or deep fried. Sushi and sashimi aside, other staple dishes include soba or udon noodles, sukiyaki (meat, fish and vegetables cooked in broth) and yakiniku (grilled meat). Some of the included dinners are taken at Japanese style hotels or ryokans (traditional guesthouses), which may serve a kaiseki-style dinner, a multi-course meal including a dozen tiny dishes prepared with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. When food is not included, your leader can recommend the best local eateries and arrange some group meals for a full immersion in the varied and excellent cuisine of Japan. Please note, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, is minimal or non-existent in Japan. The group meals arranged by the tour leader will be in traditional eateries where the choices of vegan dishes may be limited to simple salads or boiled rice; however, there are several vegan restaurants in Kyoto and Tokyo. You may also find it beneficial to bring cycling snacks with you from home if you have high-energy bars or gels you like to use during a ride. For those who wish to contribute, a kitty is normally arranged and will be used to provide snacks and drinks during the rides. |
| Description |
Epic rides & serene hot springs Cycle the spectacular coastline of old Japan, visiting sleepy fishing villages and gorgeous ryokans along the way. Buddhist temples, tea ceremonies, and steaming onsen baths are more our speed. We bike along the Noto (sublime) and stay at the exquisite Kayotei (whose owner has raised many a glass of sake with us). |
There is no better way to experience the ever-changing landscapes of Japan than on two wheels, as we pedal along the Fukui coast to the picturesque farmlands and remote mountainous regions of Takayama and Unesco-listed Shirakawa-go. From temples, shrines and markets to hot springs, this trip offers excellent rural cycling without compromising on the cultural elements. No trip to Japan would be complete without a visit to Kyoto, with its Zen gardens and geisha districts, and futuristic Tokyo, sprawling, inimitably busy and extraordinary.From Tokyo to Kyoto, enjoy a road-based bike tour in the Land of the Rising Sun |
Day 1:
Discover the heart of the rustic Noto Peninsula and its rugged coastlines, rice paddies, and endless farmland. Dinner will be on a menu made from fresh, local ingredients with a “strict” dress code requiring your traditional yukata (kimono).
Day 2:
Visit the asaichi, or morning market, finding anything from lacquerware and sake to fresh fish and vegetables. Ride along the scenic coast to a gorgeous waterfall and later on, take part in a special welcome ceremony at the local Shinto shrine.
Day 3:
This morning, learn about the traditional craft of paper-making. Then, stop for a dip in a local hot spring, taking in views out across the bay.
Day 4:
Ride back in time through sleepy fishing villages and past lush forests. Stop for a local lunch and head to the hot spring town of Wakura Onsen to indulge in a taste of Japan’s signature suki yaki with famous Noto Gyu (beef) as the highlight.
Day 5:
Drive through the awakening streets of Nanao to the island of Noto. Circumnavigating the island, pass through parkland and fishing communities, stopping along the way to watch for dolphins before a simple yet delicious lunch.
Day 6:
Explore the beautiful gardens of Kanazawa today. Then, experience a traditional tea ceremony before setting out on a scenic loop ride in the hot spring town of Yamanaka Onsen.
Day 7:
Bike through the winding mountains before exploring an amazing Buddhist temple. Tonight, we cap off a fantastic week in style with some local entertainment.
Day 8:
After breakfast, transfer to Kyoto and say farewells. Kyoto easily demands a stay of several nights with its temples, shrines and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Day 1 Start Tokyo
Day 2 Morning orientation walk and free afternoon to explore Tokyo
Today we enjoy a half-day orientation tour encompassing some of the city highlights, starting from the popular Asakusa district, where we visit Senso-ji, a seventh-century Buddhist temple. We approach the temple via the Nakamise, a shopping street home to a variety of traditional snacks and souvenirs. We then continue towards the Ueno area and walk through the beautiful public park filled with temples, shrines and about half a dozen museums. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing; your leader can recommend other local attractions, such as Shibuya, known for the busy crossing, and Meiji Shrine. Accommodation: Shinagawa Prince Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 Train to Kanazawa; afternoon cycle loop and sightseeing
In the morning, we take the express train (approximately 2hr 30min) to Kanazawa, in the western Ishikawa Prefecture, an atmospheric town that once rivalled Kyoto as the historic jewel of mainland Japan. After lunch, we enjoy a short cycling loop around the city, a good opportunity to fine-tune the bikes while enjoying some of the main attractions in town. We ride through the popular Nagamachi Samurai District, an area that preserves a historic atmosphere with samurai residences, narrow lanes and canals. We also visit Kenrokuen, one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan, which is particularly spectacular during cherry blossom and autumn season. Accommodation: Dormy Inn Kanazawa (or similar)
Day 4 Cycle from Kanazawa along the seaside coast; enjoy sunset at Oshima Bridge
We depart Kanazawa after breakfast and cycle to the sea on a dedicated cycling path along the rugged coastline and past fishing villages. 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. Recharged and rejuvenated, we continue the journey towards the resort of Kyukamura, our final destination, and enjoy sunset at nearby Oshima Bridge. Accommodation: Kyukamura Echizen Mikuni (or similar)
Day 5 Ride the dramatic Echizen-kaigan Coast; journey inland towards 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. Accommodation: Route Inn Takefu Inter Hotel or Hotel Route-Inn Sabae (or similar)
Day 6 Experience traditional Japanese knife-making; ride along one of the first train lines in Japan to the village of Tsuruga
We 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. This evening, we enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in the village of Tsuruga, where we spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Hotel Route-Inn Tsuruga Ekimae (or similar)
Day 7 Final ride in the Fukui prefecture, taking in the lakes of Mikata and Wakasa Bay; visit the Takarasu rice field terraces
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. Today’s cycling route also passes through Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park and offers magnificent views throughout, before finishing the day with a visit to the Takarasu rice field terraces. Accommodation: Hotel Route-Inn Tsuruga Ekimae (or similar)
Day 8 Travel to Unesco-listed Shirakawa-go village by train and bus; overnight in a traditional ‘gassho-zukuri’ farmhouse
We take a break from cycling today and experience a dramatic change of landscape as we travel inland by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa and then bus (approximately three hours) to Shirakawa-go, a secluded mountainous region cut off from the rest of Japan for a long period of time. Villages in this area are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which were declared a Unesco site in 1995. Their unique architectural style is characterised by steep thatched roofs, built to withstand heavy winter snowfall, and provide a large attic space for the cultivation of silkworms. We arrive in Shirakawa-go in the afternoon in time to enjoy a leisurely walk through the picture-perfect mountain village, with the opportunity to visit some of the oldest buildings. Although not always guaranteed due to limited availability, we usually spend the night at one or more gassho-zukuri, run by local farmers, allowing us to get a real feel of a Japanese family home. Accommodation: Gassho Zukuri Houses or Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute (when gassho-zukuri not available)
Day 9 Challenging ride to Hida Takayama, at the foothills of the Japanese Alps
Today is the most challenging ride of the trip as we cycle inland to Hida Takayama, at the foothills of the Japanese Alps. Riding out of Shirakawa-go, from an altitude of approximately 1,640ft (500m), we gradually climb up 3,610ft (1,100m) for the first 28mi (45km) of the route. There are some wonderful views to enjoy along the way, from the picturesque shores of Miboro Lake and quaint rural villages to hillsides and forested valleys that burst into colour during autumn. On the last section of the ride, we enjoy two great descents before reaching our destination: Hida Takayama, often named Little Kyoto because of the similarity of its architecture and quaint atmosphere. Accommodation: Takayama Ouan (or similar)
Day 10 Cycle to the castle town of Gujo Hachiman, past little villages, local shrines and paddy fields
Today we cycle the Hida Seseragi Highway, a beautiful route following swift mountain streams (and one of the most popular places to experience the striking autumn colours in Japan). Riding past little villages, shrines and paddy fields, we reach the pleasant riverside town of Gujo-hachiman, known for its pristine waterways and 16th-century castle. Before dinner, we have time for a pleasant stroll through the vibrant town centre and along the atmospheric canals and waterways, which are still used daily by the local people for washing rice, vegetables and laundry. Time and energy permitting, we have the option to walk to the hilltop castle built in 1559 by the local feudal lord, where we can enjoy wonderful vistas. Accommodation: Onoso Ryokan (or similar)
Day 11 Cycle along the Nagara River to the town of Gifu
Today’s pleasant and more leisurely ride follows the Nagara River, famed across Japan for its clear water and quiet beauty. Some sections of the riverside are particularly picturesque during cherry blossom season when more than 400 cherry trees are in full and glorious bloom. We pedal along the river for most of the day and stop in the pleasant town of Mino, a century-old production centre of high-quality traditional Japanese paper. Our final destination today is Gifu; we should arrive in time for an optional visit to the castle atop Mount Kinka. We overnight in Gifu City. Accommodation: Gifu Washington Hotel Plaza (or similar)
Day 12 Travel to Kyoto by train; free time for sightseeing
We take a break from cycling today; instead, we travel by train (approximately two hours) to the wonderful city of Kyoto. With more than 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japanese heritage and remains one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. Unlike many other Japanese towns, it escaped the ravages of both the Second World War and modern urban development thereby keeping intact much of the spirit and architecture of traditional Japan. The day is free for individual sightseeing with many highlights to explore, including Nijo castle, built in 1603 as a residence for the Tokugawa shoguns; Kiyomiduzera temple; and the scenic Fushimi Inari Shrine, featured in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). We also recommend 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 backstreets as they head to their appointments. Accommodation: Via Inn Prime Kyoto-eki Hachijoguchi (or similar)
Day 13 Final circular ride in Kyoto exploring the pleasant district of Arashiyama and two seasonal temples
Today’s cycling loop explores some of the best areas and attractions of Kyoto, heading first towards Arashiyama, a pleasant district in the western outskirts of the city. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185) when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. After pedalling through the charming centre, via the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge and bamboo grove, we continue back into Kyoto following a different route. On the way, we stop for a visit to Ryoanji Temple, the site of the most famous rock garden in Japan, and the splendid Kinkakuji (also known as the Golden Pavilion), an icon of the nation. Finally, we cycle via the Philosopher’s Path, a pedestrian and cycling path that follows a cherry tree-lined canal in northern Kyoto, until reaching Kyoto station where our last ride finishes. In the evening, the leader arranges an optional celebratory farewell dinner in one of the most authentic restaurants in the city. Accommodation: Via Inn Prime Kyoto-eki Hachijoguchi (or similar)
Day 14 End Kyoto
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Of course, if you’d like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
