Japan, International
Japan – Nagano Highlands to the Sea Bike Tour
Discover and explore what we ultimately strive for in a cycling vacation–which is to simply “Pedal Happy”.
Itinerary
Day 01
Arrive in Tokyo and check-in at our pre-tour hotel (lodging is included).
Meals
– On your ownLodging
Marunouchi Hotel or Nohga Hotel Ueno Tokyo
Once you arrive at Tokyo Narita airport you will take the train to Tokyo and check in under your name at our pre-tour hotel. This pre-tour lodging is included in your tour price, but any meals are on your own. Enjoy a good night’s rest and our guide will meet you here early in the morning!
Day 02
Take a bullet train to Iiyama. Ride to a historical shrine and enjoy a traditional hot springs hotel.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Ryokan SakayaDistance
27 milesElevation
+3,750 ft / -2,910 ft
Meet your Bicycle Adventures guide in the lobby of our pre-tour hotel to board a morning bullet train to Iiyama. Upon arrival in Iiyama, Nagano, we will set up our bikes and start riding from Iiyama station (around 10am). First, we’ll head to the historical monk shrine “Kosuge jinja” to bless the tour. After visiting the shrine, we’ll have a picnic lunch at a park on the way. The ride is followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Nozawaonsen – a charming hot spring village. Enjoy the next two nights in Nozawaonsen at , a hot spring inn that has been in business for 18 generations!
Day 03
Enjoy a gondola ride (with your bike) into the Uenotaira Highlands and cycle “Joshin’etsu Kogen” National Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Ryokan SakayaDistance
53 milesElevation
+5,062 ft / -7,162 ft
After breakfast, pedal from the hotel to Nagasaka gondola station. Take a gondola ride with your bike up to the cool subalpine Uenotaira Highlands (above 5400ft). Cycle through forests of Japanese beech trees while enjoying birdsongs and the fresh mountain air. Enjoy the beautiful nature of “Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park as well as great views from Shibu-Toge mountain pass (elev.7125’). Head downhill to town and finish at a local brewery to toast a great ride before we shuttle back to for another night.
Day 04
Ride a quiet road over a pass and down to the Sea of Japan, enjoying a gelato and an historic castle on the way.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Lotte Arai ResortDistance
66 milesElevation
+6,745 ft / -6,175 ft
Ride from our hotel in Nozawaonsen down to the riverside before beginning the climb to Sekida Pass. Enjoy wondrous views of the forests and surrounding landscape as you pedal up this low-traffic road. An ice cream treat from a local gelato shop awaits you in Joetsu – a coastal port city. Take another rest and enjoy a coffee at Takada Castle, from the Edo period – famous for its cherry blossoms. Pedal on to the coast of the Sea of Japan before heading back inland to finish near Myoko. Lodging will be at the with dinner at a Japanese tavern.
Day 05
Pedal through rural beauty in Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Lotte Arai ResortDistance
49 milesElevation
+4,849 ft / -5,341 ft
Start riding from the hotel again today. We’re already in Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park and will pay a visit to the Myoko-Kogen visitor center to learn about the local nature and culture. Pedal though the beautiful rural scenery of the Shin’etsu region, featuring rice fields, an enormous lake and Mt. Iizuna, home to a legendary “tengu,” or spirit. On the way, visit a “Kominka” – an old Japanese-style house – and see the life of the area’s ancient people. Sample gelato made with local vegetables (yes – vegetables!). Enjoy lunch at a popular Italian restaurant and finish at St. Cousair, a local winery on a beautiful hilltop. From there, we shuttle back to Lotte Arai for another night and have dinner in the hotel.
Day 06
Transfer to Kanazawa and explore this UNESCO cultural city famous for samurais, geishas, Kenrouken Garden and seafood.
Meals
– BreakfastLodging
Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
Transfer Day. Today we travel to Kanazawa, recognized for it rich history as a “City of Crafts and Folk Art” by UNESCO. Often compared to Kyoto (though significantly smaller than the ancient capital), Kanazawa is renowned for its impeccable geisha and samurai districts, the iconic Kenrokuen stroll garden, and its wonderful cuisine – including some of Japan’s highest-quality seafood. Kanazawa’s most famous attraction is Kenrokuen Garden. The garden is beautiful year-round, and especially magical (though crowded) in spring for cherry blossom season and again in the fall for autumn leaves. The beautifully-preserved Higashi Chaya District is the city’s most famous traditional teahouse and geisha district. Join us for a meditation when we arrive, or explore Kanazawa’s wonders on your own with a well-earned rest at . Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
Day 07
Ride the beautiful sea coast to a winery on a hill and visit a Japanese temple on the way back.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Route Inn or Hotel KoshuenDistance
41 miles (or more)Elevation
+2190 ft / -2129 ft (or more)
After breakfast we will take a short shuttle to start riding on the coast of the Sea of Japan. A bike trail beside the shoreline to the north provides comfortable cycling access to many nice viewpoints and cultural port towns on the way. The peninsula’s shores are defined by dramatic rock formations and cliffs punctuated by sandy beaches. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue riding to Heidee Winery on a hill overlooking the Sea of Japan and raise a glass before we shuttle to Wajima, stopping at the beautiful Japanese temple “Sojiji” on the way. Stay two nights at or in Wajima City.
Day 08
Cycle the coastline of the Noto Peninsula to photo-worthy “Mitsukejima” – a fortress-like rock island capped with lush greenery.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Route Inn or Hotel KoshuenDistance
45 milesElevation
+2,569 ft / -2,572 ft
Our last ride starts in Wajima, rounding the north part of the Noto Peninsula, ending in Suzu. Ride along the water taking in spectacular views of rice terraces overlooking the Sea of Japan. Pedal to “Mitsukejima” rock island – a fortress-like limestone pillar off the coast topped with lush greenery. Celebrate a wonderful week with dinner back in Wajima and spend another night exploring Wajima City.
Day 09
Transfer back to Tokyo to explore the city and enjoy a final night of Japanese luxury and style.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyo
In the morning we transfer from Wajima to Komatsu (~2hrs) to catch a train or plane back to Tokyo, arriving around midday. The rest of the day is yours to explore Tokyo. Spend your last night of the tour in Japanese luxury and style at !
Day 10
Have breakfast at the hotel before heading to Tokyo Airport for your flight home.
Meals
– Breakfast
Breakfast is included at the hotel this morning before you head to the airport for your flight home. Airport transfer is not included.
Dates
Dates
Price
Dates
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
Availability
Dates
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.
Price
Availability
Dates
Guaranteed
This means that the tour will definitely depart as scheduled and not be canceled.