Cycling Honshu from Sea to Summit

This tour is 7 days long, with 6 riding days.

You'll cycle a total of 344 km over five riding days. Your journey begins in Kanazawa, which is easily reached by Japan's high-speed rail network from major airports, or via its own regional airport. Each day's ride takes you from one hotel to the next, with the exception of Day 5, when you'll travel from the coast to the Japanese Alps aboard the iconic shinkansen.

The first three days follow the Sea of Japan, with moderate rolling climbs and plenty of opportunities to discover the region's rich maritime heritage amid spectacular coastal scenery. Your final two rides venture into the Japanese Alps, where longer sustained climbs and over 1,000 metres of elevation gain reward you with breathtaking mountain vistas. Along the way, you'll also visit artisan workshops, historic landmarks, and cultural sites, adding depth to the riding experience—along with plenty of delicious regional cuisine.

Throughout the tour, your guide's expert knowledge of the routes and terrain means you'll always know what lies ahead in terms of distance, elevation, and riding conditions. Regular stops for water and refreshments, together with the support vehicle, ensure you can focus on enjoying the ride.

Suitability
This is an active tour designed for cyclists with a good level of fitness. Expect a variety of riding conditions, including rolling coastal terrain, significant mountain climbs, and the possibility of strong coastal winds. While a support vehicle carrying water, refreshments, and spare seats is always close at hand, previous climbing experience and solid cycling fitness are recommended to get the most from the tour. You'll also need to be comfortable riding on some narrower roads shared with local traffic.

Biking Conditions
Most rides are on smooth sealed roads, with occasional sections of hard-packed gravel. We've selected bicycle-friendly routes wherever possible, although you'll share roads and paths with pedestrians, other cyclists, and motor vehicles at times. Confident bike-handling skills are recommended for navigating these busier sections. We generally ride rain or shine, although your guide may adjust the route if weather conditions or rider comfort make it appropriate. It's all part of the adventure.

You are not required to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. The tour operator will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender. If you cannot be matched, they will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share, a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room.

Japan has a diverse climate. There are four seasons: from April to June is spring. The rainy season is from middle of June to the middle of July. July through end of September can be hot and humid temperatures in the big cities can go as high as 35 degrees Celsius.

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, Most meals will be Japanese seafood; a typical breakfast would include rice, a piece of grilled fish, miso soup. There will always be granola and muesli for those in need. Dinners will include lots of different seafood - some cooked, some raw. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere in Japan, but is NOT included in the price.

Yes, if you're hiring a bike from the operator, a complimentary helmet is provided, although you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.