• Get up close to the real Japan by bike – you’ll wind your way through the organised chaos of Tokyo, visit the off-the-beaten-track riverside town of Gujo Hachiman and see the historic temples of Kyoto.
• Top off rewarding days in the saddle with Japanese feasts of sushi, unagi, tempura and maybe even delicacies like fugu (pufferfish), all washed down with a traditional sake or Sapporo beer.
• Ride Japan’s famous train system for the ultimate change of pace from your cycling adventures.
• Cycle through peaceful landscapes that show a land far from the big city lights of Tokyo. Seek out panoramic views from Gifu Castle and ride to the beautifully preserved Edo-period town of Takayama and the district of Arashiyama – known for its bamboo forests that stretch far into the sky.

While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short (anywhere from 10 to 80 km / 6 to 50 mi of cycling each day), the terrain of the Gifu Prefecture is naturally hilly and the climate can vary dramatically. Most people with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy the trip, but you will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.

To complete this trip, it is important that you are confident and competent in riding a bicycle, both solo and in a group environment.

While we always aim to ride to our next accommodation, outside of the main cities a support vehicle will also be with you at all times. In Japan, we can fit a maximum of four cyclists in the support vehicle.

On this trip, we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path), your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.

If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort, we have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip. Limited sizes are available so book quickly!

When we aren't cycling on this trip, we primarily use public transport, which is efficient and convenient in Japan. Please pack light and compact as you will be expected to transport your luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.

Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sq m). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.

1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.

2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 and Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information (provided on request) for more details.

4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased in Kyoto if needed.

5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available, and they are an 'on request' basis only.

6. Due to operational restrictions clients are unable to bring their own bikes on this trip.

7. Under Japanese law, all cyclists must have third-party liability insurance in the prefectures we ride through. As many travel insurance policies do not include this we will enrol you in local cover. To do this, we’ll need to collect your address and phone number at the welcome meetin

Price is per person is based on 2 adults sharing and includes:

• 11 day Cycle Japan Tour 
• 9 days guided & vehicle-supported cycling
• 9 Days Included Bicycle Hire
• Meals: 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
• Transport: Bicycle (e-bike option available, subject to availability), Support vehicle, Train
• Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights), Ryokan (2 nights)
• Included activities:
  • Kyoto - Gion District walk
  • Kyoto - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Nara - Todaiji Temple
  • Omi Hachiman historic village visit
  • Kyoto - Hikone Castle
  • Gassho Village open air museum
  • Takayama morning market visit
  • Tokyo - Sensoji Temple
  • Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market

Please ask us about adding great value:

• Flights- we'll find the best fare for your chosen travel dates
• Travel insurance

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. 

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 01 696 5135, email info@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button or submit an enquiry through the form below.