Cycling in Japan

Our tour starts in Tokyo, Japan’s busy capital boasting a unique contrast

of ultramodern and traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic

temples. With so much to see and do in Tokyo, we recommend arriving a day or

two early to explore the array of attractions at your own pace. Exodus can

book additional accommodation for you prior departure; please contact our

Operations or Sales teams for details and prices.

Today we enjoy a half day orientation tour of some Tokyo's highlights,

starting from the popular district of Asakusa, where we visit Semso-ji, a

Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th Century. We approach the temple via

the Nakamise, a shopping street where we can find a variety of traditional,

local snacks and souvenirs. We then continue towards the area of Ueno and

walk through the beautiful public park filled with temples, shrines and

about half a dozen museums. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing

and your leader will be giving recommendations on other must-see attractions

in the city such as Shibuya, known for the busy crossing, and Meiji Shrine.

In the morning we take the express train (approx. 2.5 hours) to Kanazawa, in

the western Ishikawa Prefecture, an atmospheric town that once rivalled

Kyoto as the historical jewel of mainland Japan. After lunch we enjoy a short

cycling loop around the city, a good opportunity to fine-tune the bikes

whilst enjoying some of the main attractions in town. We will ride through

the popular Nagamachi Samurai District, an area which preserves a historic

atmosphere featuring samurai residences, narrow lanes and water canals.

We also visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens,

which is particularly spectacular during cherry blossom and autumn season. 

This morning we leave Kanazawa and cycle along the Sea of Japan until

reaching the popular Chirihama Beach driveway, where we pedal comfortably on

the hard packed sand beach for about 8km. 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. Small stalls selling hamayaki

(grilled shellfish and fish) are set up along the coast from spring to summer

and offer a good opportunity for a refreshment stop. En route we also

visit Myojoji Temple dating back to the 17th Century and boasting a

wonderful early five storied Edo Period pagoda. We continue on the coastal

cycling path and then along the dramatic Noto Kongo Coast, often considered

the most dramatic section of the Noto Peninsula, until reaching Togi. Here we

check in at a traditional Japanese Inn, offering rooms with traditional futon

bedding as well as a public bath (onsen)

Today we follow the beautiful coastline north of the Noto Peninsula, as we

cycle on quiet back roads lined by traditional wooden houses and rice fields.

The coastal journey to Wajima is undulating with some occasional steep climbs

but the effort will be rewarded by spectacular views of rugged coastline and

interesting rock formations along the way. In the afternoon we settle in our

accommodation in Wajima, a city centered around a protected harbor on the

Sea of Japan coast and famous for its lively morning market.

This morning we have the option of joining the leader for an early visit to

the Wajima Morning Market, believed to date back over a thousand years.

Every day vendors and elderly women gather here to sell various goods,

including fresh seafood and lacquerware, the most well known local

handicraft. We then set off on our bikes and pedal along the remote

and rural coastal northern stretch of the Noto Peninsula throughout the

day, passing famous picturesque rice fields and salt farms en route. The

most famous sight we visit today is Senmaida, a hillside of over 1000

terraced rice fields whose colours and shapes contrast to the background of

the blue sea. We reach Suzu late afternoon and check in at our hotel by the

sea.

Leaving Suzu, today we cycle the last stretch of the Noto Peninsula as we

follow the undulating coastal route around Toyama Bay. Along the way we enjoy

coastal views and a scenic landscape dotted by fishing villages until

reaching the Wakura Onsen, a popular hot spring resort which history goes

back thousands of years. According to a legend, a local fisherman found a

wounded white heron curing its body in the ocean’s hot water. Today

the local waters rich in natural salts and minerals are still flowing and

their healing properties attract large numbers of visitors each year. We

will have the opportunity to soak in the hot springs at our traditional

accommodation or in one of the public baths in town - a regenerating treat

after days of cycling.

Today we take a break from cycling and experience a dramatic change of

landscape as we travel inland by train and then bus (approx. 3 hours)

to Shirakawa-go, a spectacular secluded mountainous region which was cut off

from the rest of the 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

characterised by steep thatched roofs developed over many generations with

the aim of withstanding heavy snowfalls during winter whilst providing 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 houses, run by a

local farmers, allowing us to get a real feel of a Japanese family home.

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 approx. 500m above sea level, we gradually climb up 1100m

for the first 45km of the route. There are some wonderful views to be

enjoyed along the way, from the picturesque shores of Miboro Lake and quaint

rural villages to hillsides and forested valleys which burst in colour

during the autumn season. On the last section of the ride we will enjoy two

great descents before reaching our destination Hida Takayama, often named

Little Kyoto because of the similarity of its architecture and quaint

atmosphere. 

Today we cycle the Hida Seseragi Highway, a beautiful route which follows the

swift mountain streams and one of the most popular places to experience the

striking autumn colours in Japan in season. Riding past little villages,

shrines and paddy fields, we 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 which are still used

daily by locals for washing rice, vegetables and laundry. Time and energy

permitting there is also the option to walk to the hilltop castle built in

1559 by the local feudal lord from where one can enjoy wonderful vistas.

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

over 400 cherry trees in full and glorious bloom. We 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. Our

final destination today is Gifu where we should arrive in time for an

optional visit to the castle located atop Mount Kinka. Overnight in Gifu

City.

Today we have another day off the bikes. After breakfast we travel by train

(approx. 2 hours) to the wonderful city of Kyoto. With over 2000 temples,

shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japan's cultural heritage

and remains undoubtedly 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 awaiting to be explored 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. 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 will flit about the back streets on their way to their

appointments.

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 its charming centre, via the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge

and bamboo grove, we continue back into Kyoto following a different route.

En route we stop for a visit to Ryoanji Temple, the site of Japan's most

famous rock garden, and the splendid Kinkakuji (also known as the Golden

Pavilion), one of Japan's most iconic landmarks. Finally, we cycle via the

famous 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 will be arranging an optional celebratory farewell

dinner in one of the most authentic restaurants in the city.

The tour ends this morning after breakfast for land only clients.