Japan Bike Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

+$200   internal air

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

Japan Bike Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

8 days

7 nights

Activity Levels 2-4

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2024: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct 2025: Apr-Jun, Sep-Nov

From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

( +$200  internal air )

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.

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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
Japan Biking Tour map

Japan

Start Tokyo

End Kyoto

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Days 1-3

Description

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 • Opt to kayak or paddleboard on majestic Lake Chuzenji • Join a restorative yoga class • Relax in the healing geothermal waters of our hotel’s sublime onsen, open-air hot tubs.

Accommodations

Nights 1-3

The Ritz-Carlton Nikko
Nikko
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)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 4-5

Description

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.

Accommodations

Nights 4-5

River Retreat Garaku
Toyama
Premiere Hotel

Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this elevated riverside ryokan nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 6-8

Description

Bike to Yatsuo, one of the best preserved historical villages in Japan • Explore the quaint streets of historic 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.

Accommodations

Nights 6-7

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)

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

What's Included

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Straight 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.

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 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.

Shuttle Time

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!

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

+$200   internal air

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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

The Ritz-Carlton Nikko
Nikko

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

River Retreat Garaku
Toyama

Premiere Hotel

Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this elevated riverside ryokan nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)

Nights 6-7

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)

From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

+$200   internal air

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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.

Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Ideal for avid cyclists
  • Responsive, efficient and comfortable
  • Drop handlebars only
Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike

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
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike

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

Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

+$200   internal air

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From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

+$200   internal air

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Dates & Prices

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Request itinerary

Book with Confidence

Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

Learn more

From $10,499 - $13,499 /person

+$200   internal air

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