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.
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days 7 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $10,199 - $12,149 pp dbl occ
Plus $200 internal air
($2,000 - $4,150 for sgl occ)
The Noto Peninsula's dramatic coast. Perfected over eons and just waiting to be discovered on our Japan bike tour. On scenic rides, explore Japan's "hidden shore," lined with fishing villages, terraced rice fields and rocky limestone formations. Exquisite Kyoto's Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that stand the test of time, all waiting to be explored.
Start Tokyo / End Kyoto
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
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 | Bike past the famous Shiroyone Senmaida, a cliff blanketed with a mosaic of terraced rice paddies | Delight in a taiko drumming performance.
Serenity, hot-spring baths, futons and tradition await at this beautiful inn by the sea. (spa)
Discover the old-world countryside of Notojima (or Noto Island) and bike the island's forested hills and quiet country roads | Shop for unique souvenirs at one of Japan's oldest outdoor markets | 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 | Luxuriate at our seaside resort, long considered one of the finest in Japan.
Experience Japanese elegance at this spectacular waterfront retreat, complete with inspiring views and sea breezes.
Ride along Toyama Bay and skirt the base of the Japanese Alps | Gorgeous panoramic views abound as you cruise across the majestic Shinminato Bridge | 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 | Tour our extraordinary hotel and admire its world-class art collection.
Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this riverside inn nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)
Explore the quaint streets of historic Kyoto, known for its traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops | Cycle along the shoreline of Lake Biwa, the frequent subject of Japanese folklore and the country’s largest fresh water lake | Bike 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.
Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)
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.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the gray arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
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.
Included in your trip price
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.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
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.
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. 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 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!
From bubbling hot springs and white-sand beaches to ornate temples and metropolitan chaos, Japan is a land of almost mythic beauty and diversity.
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