Region Overviews: Japan Travel Guide: Overview
From bubbling hot springs and white-sand beaches to ornate temples and metropolitan chaos, Japan is a land of almost mythic beauty and diversity.
Biking
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Japan Bike Tour
The Noto Peninsula to Kyoto
Japan's dramatic coast. Perfected over eons and just waiting to be discovered by bike. On scenic rides, explore the Noto Peninsula's "hidden shore," lined with fishing villages, terraced rice fields and rocky limestone formations. Exquisite Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that stand the test of time, all waiting to be explored.
THIS ITINERARY: 8 days, 7 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
FROM:
$8,999 - $9,349 pp dbl occ
Plus $120 internal air
Japan
Start Tokyo / End Kyoto
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Bike the Noto Peninsula's breathtaking coast amid plunging cliffs, old-world fishing villages, hidden coves and terraced rice fields
- Discover the diverse facets of Japanese culture like taiko drumming, traditional tea rituals, kaiseki-style fare and modern art
- Rejuvenate at Japan's top ryokans, replete with open-air hot tubs, superb cuisine and panoramic views over the shimmering sea
- Explore Kyoto, where each street is filled with hidden gems and geishas come to learn the timeless trade
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
8 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Cycle the Noto Peninsula's coast past plunging cliffs, coves and fishing villages | A world of serenity awaits at our classic ryokan accommodations | Don a yukata (robe) and savor a traditional kaiseki-style dinner | Spin past the famous Shiroyone Senmaida, a cliff blanketed with a mosaic of terraced rice paddies | Delight in a taiko drumming performance.
Notonosho Ryokan
Waijima
| Premiere Hotel Serenity, hot-spring baths, futons and tradition await at this beautiful inn by the sea. (spa)
Days 3-4
Discover the old-world countryside of Notojima (or Noto Island) and bike the island's forested hills and quiet country roads | Relax in stunning onsen, open-air hot tubs, or indulge in a traditional shiatsu massage | Partake in a traditional tea ceremony (or chaji) | Learn the steps of this highly stylized ritual, a highlight of our cultural adventure | Ride along Toyama Bay and skirt the base of the Japanese Alps | Gorgeous panoramic views abound as you bike across the majestic Shinminato Bridge | Luxuriate seaside at a resort long considered one of the finest in Japan.
Matsuno Midori
Wakura
| Premiere Hotel Experience Japanese elegance at this spectacular waterfront retreat, complete with inspiring views and sea breezes.
Day 5
Bike to Yatsuo, one of the best preserved historical villages in Japan | Visit hilltop Kinbyōzan Zuisen-ji, a picturesque Buddhist temple renowned for its Zen garden | Stay in historic Kanazawa, a beguiling city dotted with castles.
River Retreat Garaku
Toyama
| Premiere Hotel Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this riverside inn nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)
Days 6-8
Explore Kenroku-en, a stunning Japanese garden with bridges, ponds and waterfalls | Stroll Kanazawa's vibrant Omicho Market and witness a mind-boggling assortment of freshly caught seafood | Spin out of Kyoto to the reed-lined shore of Lake Biwa, where abundant birdlife thrives | Pedal past small towns, stretches of forest and popular beaches | Walk under countless torii, or Japanese gates, on a climb up to famed Fushimi Inari-Taisha, a popular Shinto temple that dates back to AD 711 | From the summit of iconic Inari hill, soak up unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and Kyoto below.
Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto
| Premiere Hotel Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 1-3
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
Performance Road Bike
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Touring Bike
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
NEW! Electric-Assist Bike
Our newly redesigned titanium e-bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations
Even at five-star Western-style hotels in Japan, the local preference for ordered austere aesthetics is prioritized. This means simple rooms with fewer amenities than one might find at a typical Backroads Premiere Hotel and an emphasis on tranquility and refined onsen (Japanese-style spas).
Meals
A typical Japanese meal is comprised of several small plates with a range of vegetables, meat and seafood, with a focus on seafood. It is not common in Japanese restaurants to make substitutions and in most cases restaurants do not offer additional choices beyond their set menus. You'll find that Japanese cuisine is not well-suited to celiac or vegetarian diets.
Shuttle Time
In order to access the scenic and culturally significant biking routes and points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into our itinerary. Most will be limited to an hour or so at a time, but on some days you can expect to spend a bit more time in the shuttle—though always to reach a worthwhile destination!
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Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our FAQ’s.
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