Japan Cycling Tour: Discover Japan's Heritage On Bike

On arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner and trip briefing.

Today, we will enjoy a city tour around Kanazawa and visits its highlights including Geisha districts, Kenroku Gardens, Kanazwza Castle and Omachi fish market.

After a short transfer to the coast, we start cycling on a flat bike path and do a stretch along the beach as well. We have a short stop at the 2,000-year-old Keta Taisha Shrine and also check out Ganmon Cave, a natural arch in the sea. The last 20 kilometres of the ride will be undulating as we enter the Noto Peninsula. We finish and spend the night in Togi Town, where a hot spring awaits us at the hotel.Riding distance: 68kmUphill: 441mDownhill: 479m

We ride along the Sekinohana coast to Minazuki. As we head along the ocean towards the fishing port of Wajima, we’ll take the time to cool off and take in the rugged coastline and strange but beautiful formations shaped by wind and waves.Tonight, we stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan, where we sleep on futons and can bathe in a hot spring. We’ll enjoy some excellent local seafood at our accommodation, where dinner is communal and guests are expected to be on time.Riding distance: 64kmUphill: 814m​Downhill: 822m

Before leaving Wajima town, we will visit Asa-Ichi morning market, famous for lacquerware and seafood.Today, we ride around the tip of Noto and see the terraced rice fields of Senmaida and for those interested, make a quick stop at Old Tokukuni House, a former feudal lord’s house. We pass Mitsuke Island before riding into Tsukumo Bay.Today, we will stay at fantastic Japanese ryokan (inn) with hot springs inside caves and magnificent views of the bay.Riding distance: 92kmUphill: 956m​Downhill: 945m

An easy coastal ride before we cross to Notojima Island, where we spend the day riding around the island with the snow-covered peaks of the Japanese Alps in the background. Upon arrival at Wakura, one of Japan's famous onsen towns, we check into the wonderful Umi to Niji Inn with plenty of time to relax in the baths that Wakura is famous for.Riding distance: 78kmUphill: 822m​Downhill: 827m

From Wakura, we ride along more beautiful coast before turning inland and entering Takaoka through Kanayamachi.It is a well-preserved area with traditional warehouses and houses from the Meiji Era and known for its copperware manufacturing roots. Once we check into our hotel, it's worth going for a short walk to visit the National Treasure, Zuiryū-ji Temple, and Takaoka’s Great Buddha.Riding distance: 73kmUphill: 541m​Downhill: 530m

We follow a bike path along the Oyabe River to the base of the mountains and stop to check out Zuisen-ji Temple, one of the largest wooden structures left standing in Japan.Next, we head into the mountains for a few good climbs.After arriving, we can spend the afternoon exploring Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho zukuris, nail-free "clasped hands" thatched roof houses. We spend the night at a 200-year-old gassho zukuri and eat traditional mountain food in a communal dinner. An after-dinner dip at the local onsen is recommended.Riding distance: 77kmUphill: 2185m​Downhill: 1714m

It will be an early start for the last day of riding. The route today takes us beside an impressive dam before a nicely graded road takes us over two pleasant passes.We spend the afternoon exploring Takayama’s old city, where narrow lanes are lined with wooden buildings housing sake breweries and quaint boutiques.Riding distance: 60kmUphill: 1206m​Downhill: 1111m

Today, enjoy your free time in the morning before you check out of your hotel. You can take a train to Nagoya and transfer to bullet train for Kyoto or Tokyo.