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CYCLING TOUR IN JAPAN

Tour Overview
Cycling in Japan is an experience like no other destination on our tour calendar.
This 14 night / 15 day fully escorted and guided tour with a local Japanese speaking guide has you riding some truly incredible routes through old towns and rice fields, along coastal roads and mountain passes, enjoy amazing local food, experience true Japanese culture and learn a little of the history of each region while visiting some iconic tourism locations. Places you will visit include a tour through Matsumoto Castle, a prayer ritual and guided tour of Zenkoji Temple, a visit to the snow monkeys in Nagano, sample some Amasake rice wine made from a 400 year old recipe and walk the ancient Tokaido Road in Hakone, two summits of the famous Mount Fuji via the Subaru and Skyline roads, Olympic ski jump tour and much, much more! When our groups include 3 or more non-riders, we also provide a non-riders itinerary hosted by Teddy, our very own private tour guide visiting fabulous tourism locations each day while we are out on the rides. This is a tour we are very proud to offer our clients looking for a truly memorable trip providing a real cultural experience but doesnt compromise on the riding.
Our 2026 visit to Zenkoji Temple, founded in 642 AD. On this special experience we ventured inside for a "Cleansing Ceremony" in the Dark Tunnel, a calligraphy class where we made our own ink and learned to copy Buddhist sutra text followed by a private prayer ceremony. A truly special morning experiencing some ancient Japanese culture. We then rode to Hakuba while the non-riders went sake tasting!

from $11,500

Difficulty level: 3/5
★★★★★
  • 3 - 4 star luxury accommodation
  • Transfer of bike boxes to final hotel
  • All breakfasts
  • All dinners in top rated restaurants
  • Visit to the Nagano snow monkeys
  • Chairlift ride and tour of Nagano Olympic snow jump
  • Guided tour of Zenkoji Temple with prayer ritual and caligraphy class
  • Guided tour of Matsumoto Castle
  • Visit & morning tea at 400 year old tea room & museum
  • Walk the ancient Tokaido Road
  • Walk through Shuzenji Bamboo Forest and Shiraito Falls
  • Fully supported with van stocked with food, electrolyte, bananas, bars etc
  • Mechanical spares
  • 2 x Cycling kits (jersey & bib knicks)
  • T-shirt, cap, day bag & more
  • Photo sharing on group chat
  • Newsletter
book now
Or email us for a copy of the itinerary. Price is twin share & subject to change. Price does not include lunch, bike hire, insurance or alcohol
FULLY SUPPORTED
All our tours are fully supported with Velo Tours' riders on the road and vans stocked with food & water so you can call it a day at any time.

Itinerary overview

Ever wondered what happens on a tour? Here are is an example of what to expect on our Alps to Ocean tour....
The Japan Alps are always in sight on our ride from Hakuba to Matsumoto
One of the locals living at the Alpaca Farm featured on our non-riders itinerary
Matsumoto Castle where you walk all the way to the top tower via the museum
The stunning Japan Alps in the foreground on our loop around Hakuba
Some of our restaurants are flash traditional Japanese dining while others are feed-me menus where multiple dishes are ordered to the table for everyone to share. The plates keep coming until everyone has had enough!
ARRIVAL
Your tour begins with arrival into Tokyo where you catch th Shinkanzen Bullet Train to Nagano to check in to our hotel within metres from the front door. We get settled in, our bikes put together in time for a quick ride to test set ups befor welcome drinks in the bar where a briefing will take place providing a run down of what's to come across the tour before moving on to dinner.
Locations
Staying in lovely 3-4 star hotels or resorts, most with their own onsens and easy access to the all rides. Offering stunning creature comforts after a day of riding scenic locations via forests, rice fields, mountainous terrain or cycleways. Locations include: 2 nights in Nagano| 2 nights in Hakuba | 2 nights in Matsumoto | 1 night in Tateshina | 2 nights Lake Kawaguchiko | 1 night Fujinomiya or Lake Tanuki, Kona and Izu | 2 nights in Hakone
daily rides
There are no transfers on this tour. Every day we ride from door to door. All rides depart each morning after breakfast with fully stocked support van. Your day bags will be in the van packed with anything you were advised you will need that day, such as a change of clothes or shoes for any walking we will do or items you dont want to carry in your jersey. We stop for coffee and lunch at local cafes or bakeries offering great menu choices.
Every day offers various ride options and the support van is always available to get into anytime. The average daily itinerary looks like this:
  • Nagano (D) 20k (G) 100m
  • Nagano (D) 78k (G) 950m
  • Hakuba (D) 61k (G) 1,600m
  • Hakuba (D) 84k (G) 1,600m
  • Matsumoto (D) 72k (G) 525m
  • Matsumoto (D) 60k (G) 500m
  • Tasteshina (D) 70k (G) 1,800m
  • Kawaguchiko (D) 143k (G) 2,000m
  • Kawaguchiko (D) 40k (G) 200m
  • Fujinomiya or Lake Tanuki (D) 109k (G) 2,000m
  • Hakone (D) 102k (G) 3,195m
  • Hakone (D) 0k (G) 0m
  • Kona (D) 107k (G) 1,550m
  • Izu-Imaihama (D) 62k (G) 1,250m
NIGHTLY DINNERS AND LUNCHES
All dinners are included in your package to take the stress out of wondering where to go. We've done all the leg work for you, choosing all the best restaurants for their tripadvisor ratings and outstanding quality. Dinner is either traditional Japanese restaurants, buffets at the hotels or restaurants offering feed-me menus where a multiple variety of dishes com to the table offering a great range of fresh local products. The plates keep coming until evryone is full! Lunches are taken on the road every day at a 7/11 or Lawsons Store, known internationally for amazing rangee of fresh food restocked multiple times daily. Items include sushi, wraps, sandwiches, katsu curries, noodle salads and much much more! You'll never look at a 7/11 the same way again! *Lunches and alcohol are not included in your package.

JAPAN at a glance