Tour overview

This 14-day small-group cycling trip explores the quieter side of central Japan by bike, from the Sea of Japan coast through the Japanese Alps to Kyoto. Groups have between 4 and 14 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout and a support vehicle on riding days. You stay thirteen nights: eleven in hotels, one in a traditional ryokan and one in a gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouse in Shirakawa-go, with futons on tatami and shared facilities. Breakfast is included daily, with several dinners, including traditional Japanese meals.

After an orientation tour of Tokyo, an express train takes you to Kanazawa for an afternoon ride and sightseeing in this historic castle town. You then cycle to the coast and along the Echizen-kaigan coastline, with sunset at the Oshima bridge and dramatic cliffs. In Echizen you visit a workshop to see Japanese knife-making, then ride an old railway line to Tsuruga and the lakes of Mikata and Wakasa Bay.

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A train and bus take you into the mountains to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-listed village where you spend the night in a steep-roofed gassho farmhouse. The next day is the trip's most challenging ride, climbing to Hida Takayama in the foothills of the Japanese Alps. You then follow the Hida Seseragi Highway past villages, shrines and rice paddies to the castle town of Gujō Hachiman for a night in a ryokan, and ride along the clear Nagara River to Gifu.

After a train to Kyoto and free time to explore its temples, your final ride follows the Kamo River on a circular route through quintessential Kyoto sights.

The physical rating is medium, with daily rides on quiet roads and cycle paths and one challenging mountain day. This trip suits regular cyclists who want to see rural Japan at a slower pace, with a sociable small group. Quiet roads and courteous drivers make Japan a wonderful place to cycle, and evenings bring hearty local food and, in places, a soak in a hot spring bath.

Trip highlights

  • A cycle loop in Kanazawa (Day 3)
  • The Echizen coast (Days 4–5)
  • Japanese knife-crafting in Echizen (Day 6)
  • A night in a gassho farmhouse in Shirakawa-go (Day 8)
  • The ride to Takayama (Day 9)
  • A final ride along Kyoto's Kamo River (Day 13)

Your route

14 stops from Tokyo to Kyoto

14-day route: Tokyo – Kanazawa – Echizen coast – Tsuruga – Shirakawa-go – Takayama – Gifu – Kyoto
  1. Tokyo Days 1–2
  2. Kanazawa Day 3
  3. Kaga Day 4
  4. Mikuni Day 4
  5. Echizen-kaigan Coast Day 5
  6. Takefu Day 5
  7. Tsuruga Days 6–7
  8. Mikata Goko Day 7
  9. Shirakawa-go Day 8
  10. Hida Takayama Day 9
  11. Gujo Hachiman Day 10
  12. Mino Day 11
  13. Gifu Day 11
  14. Kyoto Days 12–14

Why choose this tour

Rural Japan by bike, far from the crowds of the Golden Route. A night in a thatched farmhouse and a ryokan stay.

Best suited to

  • Regular cyclists
  • Active travellers
  • Return visitors to Japan
  • Solo travellers looking for a small group
A gassho-zukuri farmhouse in Shirakawa-go

Day-by-day itinerary

14 days from Tokyo, Japan to Kyoto, Japan

  1. Day 1 · Tokyo Arrive in Tokyo

    Meet the group in Tokyo.

    Hotel
    Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Tokyo Tokyo

    An orientation tour and free afternoon.

    Hotel
    Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Kanazawa Kanazawa

    Train to Kanazawa and an afternoon ride.

    Hotel
    Dormy Inn Kanazawa or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Oshima Bridge To the coast

    Cycle to the coast for sunset.

    Hotel
    Kyukamura Echizen Mikuni or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Echizen-kaigan Echizen coast

    Ride the coastline, then head inland.

    Hotel
    Route Inn Takefu or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Echizen, Tsuruga Knife crafts to Tsuruga

    Visit a knife workshop, then ride an old railway line.

    Hotel
    Hotel Granbinario Tsuruga or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Mikata Lakes, Wakasa Bay Lakes and Wakasa Bay

    A final ride in Fukui prefecture.

    Hotel
    Hotel Granbinario Tsuruga or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Shirakawa-go Shirakawa-go

    Train and bus to a thatched farmhouse stay.

    Hotel
    Gassho-zukuri farmhouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Takayama Ride to Takayama

    The most challenging ride of the trip.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Hida Seseragi Highway, Gujō Hachiman Gujō Hachiman

    Ride past villages and paddy fields.

    Hotel
    Onoso Ryokan or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Nagara River, Gifu Nagara River to Gifu

    Cycle along the river to Gifu.

    Hotel
    Resol Gifu Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Kyoto Kyoto

    Train to Kyoto and free time.

    Hotel
    Hotel Monterey Kyoto or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Kamo River, Kyoto Kyoto by bike

    A final circular ride through Kyoto.

    Hotel
    Hotel Monterey Kyoto or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Kyoto Trip ends in Kyoto

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Sea cliffs on the Japanese coast

Where you stay

  • Tokyo (2 nights) Shinagawa Prince Hotel or similar
  • Kanazawa (1 night) Dormy Inn Kanazawa or similar
  • Echizen coast (1 night) Kyukamura Echizen Mikuni or similar
  • Echizen (1 night) Route Inn Takefu or similar
  • Tsuruga (2 nights) Hotel Granbinario Tsuruga or similar
  • Shirakawa-go (1 night) Gassho-zukuri farmhouse
  • Takayama (1 night) Hotel
  • Gujō Hachiman (1 night) Onoso Ryokan or similar
  • Gifu (1 night) Resol Gifu Hotel or similar
  • Kyoto (2 nights) Hotel Monterey Kyoto or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 11 nights in hotels, 1 in a ryokan and 1 in a farmhouse
  • Meals 13 breakfasts and 6 dinners
  • Bike hire and support vehicle on riding days
  • Train and bus travel between regions
  • Tokyo orientation tour and Kanazawa sightseeing
  • Knife-crafting workshop visit
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Tokyo and from Kyoto
  • Meals not included 12 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A rice paddy in rural Japan

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You have never cycled — one day is challenging
  • You want Western-style hotels throughout — two nights are traditional
  • You want all meals included — mostly breakfasts
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–14 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Days 1, 4–6, 8 and 10
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Japan
The Kamo River in Kyoto

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £5,045 per person, twin share, tour only. 20 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £5,501 (single supplement from £456).

Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How hard is the cycling?

Moderate daily rides on quiet roads and cycle paths, with one challenging climb to Takayama.

Is there a support vehicle?

Yes, on riding days.

What is a gassho farmhouse?

A traditional steep-roofed thatched farmhouse in Shirakawa-go, with futons and shared facilities.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors do not need a visa for Japan for a short holiday stay.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 16.

How many people travel together?

Between 4 and 14 travellers, with a tour leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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