Japan Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
Japan Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2025: Apr-Jun, Sep-Nov2026: Apr
Nikko National Park to Kyoto
Japan's sublime terrain—perfected over eons and just waiting to be discovered by bike. On scenic rides, explore pristine landscapes from terraced rice fields to shimmering cascades and magnificent stands of Japanese cedar. Exquisite Kyoto's Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that stand the test of time, all waiting to be explored.
Highlights
- Bike in Nikko National Park, beloved for its striking scenery, with Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples hidden among cedar forests
- Discover the diverse facets of Japanese culture like traditional tea rituals, kaiseki-style fare, waterfall meditation and modern art
- Rejuvenate at Japan's top hotels and ryokans, replete with natural hot springs, superb cuisine and panoramic views
- Explore Kyoto, where each street is filled with hidden gems and geishas come to learn the timeless trade
StartTokyo
EndKyoto
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-3
Cycle along a section of the famous Suginamiki, or Cedar Avenue, the longest tree-lined road in the world and an important Japanese cultural site • At a local sake brewery, enjoy a tour and tasting • Discover Nikko Toshogu, a spectacular 400-year-old Shinto shrine complex and World Heritage site • Bike to the Nikko Kirifuri Highland, renowned for its wildflowers and mountain views • Descend the acclaimed Irohazaka switchbacks • Marvel at waterfalls and sacred Mount Nantai as we ride next to Lake Chuzenjii • Relax in the healing geothermal waters of our hotel’s sublime onsen, open-air hot tubs.
Nights 1-3
Nestled by Lake Chuzenji with stunning views of Mount Nantai, this sophisticated haven blends local elements with Japan's minimalistic beauty, including a unique onsen experience. (spa)
Days 4-5
Spin along the fertile plains of the Jinzu and Ida Rivers • Partake in a tea ceremony and learn the steps of this highly stylized ritual • Gorgeous views of Toyama and its namesake bay abound as you pedal among mountain villages and rice terraces • A world of serenity awaits at our classic ryokan accommodations on the edge of the Northern Japanese Alps • Tour our extraordinary hotel and admire its world-class art collection • Don a yukata (robe) and savor a traditional kaiseki-style dinner.
Nights 4-5
Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this elevated riverside ryokan nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)
Days 6-8
Bike to Yatsuo, one of the best preserved historical villages in Japan • Explore the quaint streets of ancient Kyoto, known for its traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops • Cycle peaceful paths alongside locals as you follow the Kamo River toward the mountains of Kitayama • Walk under countless torii, or Japanese gates, on a climb up to famed Fushimi Inari-Taisha, a 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.
Nights 6-7
Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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).
A typical Japanese meal is comprised of several small plates with a range of vegetables, meat and seafood, with a focus on seafood and beef. 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.
In order to access the most scenic routes and significant points of interest on this trip, strategic shuttles are incorporated into several days of 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!
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-3
Premiere Hotel
Nestled by Lake Chuzenji with stunning views of Mount Nantai, this sophisticated haven blends local elements with Japan's minimalistic beauty, including a unique onsen experience. (spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this elevated riverside ryokan nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)
Nights 6-7
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)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
