Custom Tour

Road Bicycling with Support

14 Days/Nights

Intermediate Cycling

100% Good Condition Paved Roads

Maximum Group Size: 8

Landcost: $275 to $380/day

Rental Bikes: Raleigh hybrid

Airline: approx. $880 RT USA

Discount Fare on Japan Airlines

ITINERARY BRIEF 0 Arrive Osaka 1 Osaka to Nara 2 Nara 3 Nara to Haibara 4 Haibara to Koya-san 5 Koya-san to Kamiyama 6 Kamiyama to Chiiori 7 Chiiori 8 Chiiori to Kurashiki 9 Kurashiki to Himeji-jo/Kinosaki 10 Kinosaki to Amanohashidate 11 Amanohashidate to Kurama 12 Kurama to Kyoto 13 Kyoto 14 Kyoto to Osaka The Japanese Alps (Optional Tour Extension) 1 Kyoto to Takayama 2 Takayama 3 Takayama to Tokyo 4 Tokyo

apanese life is as distinct as it is refined: the art, food, and architecture stand out uniquely from the rest of the world. Sushi, geisha, Zen Buddhism…all distinctly Japanese and familiar, yet shrouded in mystery.

Join VeloAsia for the Path of a Thousand Temples, an unforgettable exploration of the harmonious Japanese landscape and vigorous culture. Today, Japan is at a crossroads of old and new, and our bicycle tour will explore the vivid and contrasting wonders of modern Japan with it's rich medieval legacy under a backdrop of incredible natural beauty.

On Path of a Thousand Temples we will explore Japan's ancient temples, shrines and castles and cycle through it's natural treasures, including the lush mountain valleys of Shikoku, Japan's most scenic island featuring spectacular back country riding. In Nara and Kyoto, there is time to wander the cultural backbone of ancient Japan, home to the highest density of World Heritage Sites in the world.

If you can manage a longer stay, there is an optional four day post-tour, non-biking extension into the Japanese Alps. Here you may relax in natural hot springs, stopover in the Japanese "alpine" village of Takayama, home to traditional artisans. We also visit the famous snow monkeys in the mountains of Nagano, and finally, delve into the cultural and neon wonders of modern Japan in Tokyo.

From author/guide Mason Florence:

I will not only give you insight into world heritage but an insiders view not even locals glimpse.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: OSAKA (Sunday)

Arrive in Osaka, a modern city that really comes to life at night. We start the evening with a fine meal and orientation at a famous tempura restaurant, followed by a guided walking tour of Dotombori, the inspiration for the futuristic sets of the movie Blade Runner.

Day 2: NARA (Monday)

After breakfast, enjoy a quick class in basic Japanese language and customs. After a short bus transfer, bicycle to Nara on quiet country roads that take us past beautiful rural architecture and farmland. After a quick lunch, tour the Nara National Museum and its excellent collection of Buddhist art. Retire at night to the comfort of a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan).

Breakfast: Nankai South Tower Hotel
Activity: Japanese language and customs class
Bike: Osaka to Nara (40 miles)
Lunch: Bento (box) lunch
Hotel: Ryokan Seikan-so
Activity: Nara National Museum
Dinner: Hiraso

Day 3: NARA (Tuesday)

With eight World Heritage Sights, Nara is a close second to Kyoto in terms of cultural import. A day tour takes in many of these sites, including various temples, palaces, shrines and ruins. Sites include Todaiji Temple, home to a huge bronze Buddha that is Nara's most famous tourist attraction, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, considered to be one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines. After a "fast food" lunch of sushi, the group will spend the afternoon touring Nara Koen, a city park with thousands of semi-tame deer. We finish the day with a traditional meal overlooking a beautiful Japanese garden.

Hotel: Ryokan Seikan-so
Breakfast: Ryokan Seikan-so
Bike: World Heritage Site tour
Lunch: Maguro-tei
Walk: Nara Koen
Dinner: Sanshu

Day 4: KYOTO (Wednesday)

Start the day with a relaxing bicycle ride from Nara to Kyoto, the undisputed cultural center of Japan. Kyoto embodies traditional Japan with 17 World Heritage Sites and more museums, art galleries, palaces and gardens than you could explore in two lifetimes! After a quick post-ride lunch, relax and enjoy a traditional Japanese public bath near your ryokan in central Kyoto. After dinner, take a few hours to explore Kyoto's nightlife on your own.

Breakfast: Ryokan Seikan-so
Bike: Nara to Kyoto (40 miles)
Hotel: Ryokan Hinomoto
Lunch: Bento (box) lunch
Activity: Japanese bath
Dinner: Oiwa

Day 5: KYOTO (Thursday)

Kyoto…one of the most incredible places in the world. Your first full day in Kyoto will be spent uncovering the traditional beauty of this enchanting city. We start the day with a walking tour of Central Kyoto, including an optional, early morning excursion to Nishiki-koji Market. After a quick breakfast, we will head for Nijo-jo and Nijo Jinya, two excellent examples of feudal architecture from the Shogun period. We finish the walking tour in Kyoto-gyoen, an urban park where we will have a relaxing picnic among the trees, carp fish, and other local flora and fauna. After a quick rest and traditional bath, we will head for Pontocho, an area that typifies old Japan with wooden buildings and hanging lanterns. You might even spot geisha on their way to work!

Hotel: Ryokan Hinomoto
Walk: Nishiki-koji Market
Breakfast: Ryokan Hinomoto
Walk: Nijo-jo and Nijo Jinya
Lunch: Picnic
Walk: Kyoto-gyoen park
Activity: Traditional bath
Walk: Pontocho
Dinner: Uzuki

Day 6: KYOTO (Friday)

Today we move to the foothills to discover the hidden treasures of Eastern Kyoto. Travel by bike and on foot around the Higashiyama district as staff transfers your belongings to unique accommodations at a local shrine. Area sites include the Sanjusangen-do temple, the Kyoto National Museum, which has an excellent collection of Japanese artifacts, and the stunning hillside temple of Kiyomizu-dera. After a simple but satisfying lunch of noodles and area vegetables, we will visit the picturesque grounds of Ginkaku-ji temple and the Zen temple, Nanzen-ji. After so much sightseeing, it's time to relax. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony or an optional, unguided two-hour hike up Daimonji-yama for a panoramic view of Kyoto. After a yakitori dinner, feel free to explore the traditional nightlife of Gion.

Day 7: KYOTO-Kurama Fire Festival (Saturday)

Exploring Kyoto is a must for the any traveler interested in the daily life of Japanese people. Travel by bicycle, on foot or on the trains, and explore any of Kyoto’s fascinating sites. Or simply relax, sit still and let the city come to you! We will reconvene in the evening for a cooking lesson and traditional meal at a 500-year-old noodle restaurant that has been in the same family for 15 generations!

Breakfast: Mishima-jinja
Hotel: Mishima-jinja
Activity: Cooking lesson
Dinner: Hiiga

Day 8: NAGOYA (Sunday)

We start the day with an early morning transfer over the Higashiyama Mountains to Otsu, a city on the coast of Japan’s largest lake, Biwa-ko. From there we will cycle along the lakefront to Hikone-jo, a stunning medieval castle. After a short lunch in Hikone city, we continue by bus to Nagoya. Dinner is served at a wonderful robata restaurant (grilled food). After dinner, feel free to explore the areas famous pachinko parlors (Japanese pinball) and nightlife.        

Breakfast: Mishima-jinja
Transfer: Kyoto to Otsu via bus
Bike: Otsu to Hikone (30 miles)
Tour: Hikone-jo and surrounding gardens 
Lunch: TBD
Transfer: Hikone to Nagoya via bus
Hotel: Petit Ryokan Ichifuji
Dinner: Izakaya Bun

Day 9: TAKAYAMA (Monday)

Sumo wrestling is as impressive as it is misunderstood. Today we will visit a sumo stable to see how the great men train and live. For those who do not like fighting sports, feel free to explore Nagoya on your own. Notable sites include the Atsuta-jingu shrine, the Shitori-teien garden and the Pachinko Museum. Following the tournament we will travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to the mountain city of Takayama, your first stop in the Japanese Alps. The city is a beautiful example of traditional Japanese life with old style streets, buildings, customs and activities. For a change of pace, we stay in a traditional minshuku (bed and breakfast).

Breakfast: Petit Ryokan Ichifuji
Activity: Sumo training stable or site seeing on your own
Lunch: Ebisu
Transfer: Nagoya to Takayama via bullet train
Hotel: Rickshaw Inn
Dinner: TBD

Day 10: TAKAYAMA (Tuesday)

Today will include a leisurely bicycle tour of Takayama and the surrounding areas. The village is famous for traditional arts and crafts and has many important and interesting highlights, including Hida Minzoku-mura, a traditional folk village. After a quick lunch of local traditional specialties (soba noodles with mountain vegetables), we will then relax in the local hot springs. Those of you who are more adventurous can add a hike or more extensive biking in this beautiful section of the Japanese Alps.

Hotel: Rickshaw Inn
Breakfast: Little Bear Cafe
Bike: Area tour, including Hida Minzoku-mura (15 miles)
Lunch: Bento
Activity: Hot springs
Dinner: Suzuya

Day 11: NAGANO (Wednesday)

Today’s ride is a challenging one through valleys and mountains to the mountain village of Hiyoshi. But don’t worry, your tour is fully supported so you can retire to the comfort of the support van as soon at any time. After a quick lunch in town, we’ll catch the train to Nagano, and retire to temple lodgings near Zenko-ji Temple.

Breakfast: Rickshaw Inn
Bike: Takayama to Hiyoshi (40 miles)
Lunch: TBD
Transfer: Hiyoshi to Nagano via train
Hotel: Temple lodging
Dinner: Temple lodging

Day 12: NAGANO (Thursday)

For early risers, the first stop of the day is the Zenko-ji Temple for an early morning Zen service. After an extensive temple tour, we will enjoy a nice breakfast before riding to the mountain village of Yudanaka, home of world-famous hot springs and snow monkeys!

Activity: Zenko-ji Temple
Breakfast: Temple lodging
Bike: Nagano to Yudanaka
Lunch: TBD
Hotel: Temple lodging
Dinner: Temple lodging

Day 13: TOKYO (Friday)

After an early morning ride by shinkansen to Tokyo, we will tour many of the city’s highlights, including the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower for a stunning birds-eye view of the world’s most modern city. For dinner, we’ll travel to the beach town of Hayama for a farewell dinner and beach party in your honor.

Breakfast: Temple lodging
Transfer: Nagano to Tokyo via bullet train
Hotel: Palace Hotel
Activity: City tour
Lunch: TBD
Transfer: Tokyo to Hayama via bus
Dinner: TBD

Day 14: TOKYO (Saturday)

Today you leave Japan, so you might want to do some early morning shopping before you return home. The best places to shop include the Nakamise-dori shopping arcade in Ginza, or perhaps Shinjuku for the worlds best selection of electronics.

Breakfast: Palace Hotel
Transfer: Hotel to airport

Wedding Kimono Pattern, the crane symbolizing a lifelong mate.	LANDCOST: $275 to $380 per day. Single Supplement approx $875. Discount for educators, medical personnel, spouses, and groups. Your tour fees cover almost everything, but please do click here for details of what is and what is not specifically included.
	AIRLINE: Discount pricing through our consolidator on Japan Airlines: approximately US$880 RT from the West Coast on Japan Airlines. Please call for specific pricing from your location.
	NOTE: Japan reaches far beyond the historical and scenic sites we offer on this itinerary and we encourage you to explore on your own at anytime during the tour. Day trips with the group and riding days are always optional. Additionally, we modify the itinerary to keep every tour unique and spontaneous.
	GUIDES: Mason Florence has lived in Japan for the last ten years and is author of Lonely Planet's Japan and Kyoto guidebooks. Willard Ford, co-founder of VeloAsia, will guide the cycling and hiking portion of your tour. For the past 15 years, he has cycled and lead tours extensively throughout the world, including Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, England, Ireland, Mexico, Belize, and Canada. Adding local expertise is Hiroshi Nakano, a Humanities lecturer at Kyoto University and expert on the region.