U P C O M I N G T R I P
Fall 2024 Japan Tour
Epic Cycling
Ride a scenic route that takes you through tranquil rice fields, river valleys, fruit orchards and mountain passes of Japan
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Delicious Meals
Enjoy fabulous Japanese cuisine including ramen, soba, tempura and traditional kaiseki meals
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Unique Culture
Visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Nikko's Toshugu shrine and other sites to experience Japan's unique culture
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MY STORY: WHY I BELIEVE JAPAN IS A CYCLING PARADISE
I first discovered the possibility of cycling in Japan when I attended my wife's best friend's wedding in Tokyo in 2002. From Tokyo, we journeyed around the country by bullet train visiting her family and friends and I would gaze out at the countryside thinking that it would be cool to cycle along some of the scenic areas that we passed through. A couple more trips to Japan in subsequent years served to whet my appetite as I continued to think about cycling there.
Finally, in 2010, I convinced a friend to join me on a three week tour as we cycled from Tokyo up to the top of the main island of Honshu covering 1,279 km over 15 riding days. It was a revelation to finally cycle along the roads that I dreamed of but also to be touched by the hospitality and generosity of the people that we met and to experience the unique culture and customs of Japan.
Bitten by the Japan cycling bug, two solo tours followed in 2012 and 2015 where I deepened my appreciation for the joy of cycling in Japan. Staying in a traditional country inn, eating home style meals and soaking in an onsen (hot spring bath) after a hard day's ride along tranquil country roads was the most wonderful feeling. Having shared my adventures with several cycling friends in Vancouver who expressed interest in joining me, I organized my first group tour in 2016 during two weeks of my vacation to highly positive reviews (See Testimonials section). Annual tours followed each year as word of my Japan tour has spread and 2024 marks my seventh tour (2020 to 2021 interrupted by COVID).
For those who consider Europe as the ideal cycle touring destination, I believe Japan rivals everything that France or Italy have to offer. As 73% of Japan's terrain comprises mountains, challenging climbs abound as do scenic valleys. Plus, with over 90% of the population living in urban areas, the vast majority of the country is rural cycling heaven. Combined with ancient Asian traditions and culture, delicious cuisine and charming hospitality, Japan offers a unique cycle touring adventure. In addition, a relaxing onsen bath at the end of the day is a quintessential Japanese custom that must be experienced. For those who enjoy cycle touring, Japan should be on your bucket list.
I have designed my tour according to the way I like to travel. I'm not about high end, fancy hotels or four star restaurants; there are other tour operators that offer that type of experience. Rather, I like to stay and eat where the average locals like to go where little English is spoken and a true immersive experience can be had. My tour is designed to appeal to cyclists seeking a reasonable cost option to visit Japan by minimizing in-country transport to reach the start location, shipping our luggage from hotel to hotel using Japan's efficient "Takkyubin" delivery service (thereby cutting out the need for van transport while not having to ride with panniers), arranging accommodation in a mix of value-added lodging choices and requiring cyclists to bring their own bikes. More specifically, I have designed a route and an on-the-road experience that takes us from the suburbs of Tokyo over the Japanese alps to Nagano (site of the 1998 winter Olympics) and highlights the best of what Japan has to offer as a cycling destination. These include beautiful country roads with low traffic, gorgeous scenery, plentiful food and drink facilities (Japan has an abundance of vending machines, noodle shops and convenience stores), interesting culture (historic shrines and temples), delicious cuisine, safety for visitors (Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world) and outstanding hospitality. All these features plus more are the reasons I look forward to sharing my passion for Japan with those who accompany me each year. Please join me and discover the cycling paradise that is Japan.
Finally, in 2010, I convinced a friend to join me on a three week tour as we cycled from Tokyo up to the top of the main island of Honshu covering 1,279 km over 15 riding days. It was a revelation to finally cycle along the roads that I dreamed of but also to be touched by the hospitality and generosity of the people that we met and to experience the unique culture and customs of Japan.
Bitten by the Japan cycling bug, two solo tours followed in 2012 and 2015 where I deepened my appreciation for the joy of cycling in Japan. Staying in a traditional country inn, eating home style meals and soaking in an onsen (hot spring bath) after a hard day's ride along tranquil country roads was the most wonderful feeling. Having shared my adventures with several cycling friends in Vancouver who expressed interest in joining me, I organized my first group tour in 2016 during two weeks of my vacation to highly positive reviews (See Testimonials section). Annual tours followed each year as word of my Japan tour has spread and 2024 marks my seventh tour (2020 to 2021 interrupted by COVID).
For those who consider Europe as the ideal cycle touring destination, I believe Japan rivals everything that France or Italy have to offer. As 73% of Japan's terrain comprises mountains, challenging climbs abound as do scenic valleys. Plus, with over 90% of the population living in urban areas, the vast majority of the country is rural cycling heaven. Combined with ancient Asian traditions and culture, delicious cuisine and charming hospitality, Japan offers a unique cycle touring adventure. In addition, a relaxing onsen bath at the end of the day is a quintessential Japanese custom that must be experienced. For those who enjoy cycle touring, Japan should be on your bucket list.
I have designed my tour according to the way I like to travel. I'm not about high end, fancy hotels or four star restaurants; there are other tour operators that offer that type of experience. Rather, I like to stay and eat where the average locals like to go where little English is spoken and a true immersive experience can be had. My tour is designed to appeal to cyclists seeking a reasonable cost option to visit Japan by minimizing in-country transport to reach the start location, shipping our luggage from hotel to hotel using Japan's efficient "Takkyubin" delivery service (thereby cutting out the need for van transport while not having to ride with panniers), arranging accommodation in a mix of value-added lodging choices and requiring cyclists to bring their own bikes. More specifically, I have designed a route and an on-the-road experience that takes us from the suburbs of Tokyo over the Japanese alps to Nagano (site of the 1998 winter Olympics) and highlights the best of what Japan has to offer as a cycling destination. These include beautiful country roads with low traffic, gorgeous scenery, plentiful food and drink facilities (Japan has an abundance of vending machines, noodle shops and convenience stores), interesting culture (historic shrines and temples), delicious cuisine, safety for visitors (Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world) and outstanding hospitality. All these features plus more are the reasons I look forward to sharing my passion for Japan with those who accompany me each year. Please join me and discover the cycling paradise that is Japan.
Happy People
Testimonials Read what participants of my past tours have said about cycling in Japan.