Historic cities, lush tea fields, virgin forest, farming villages, traditional food, hot spring baths and rides on the Bullet Train all await the intrepid cyclist. With some fantastic scenery and unforgettable cultural experiences this trip proves that the best way to experience Japan is by bike!

Discover rural Japan and enjoy the sights and sounds of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara as you revel in this fascinating country's grand history. Travelling by bicycle gives you unrivalled access to remote parts of the countryside, allows you to meet with local people and visit some stunning hidden areas of the country. It is also a whole lot of fun!

In Tokyo for a full day and for the Kyoto to Nara cycle you will have a guide to show you the best sights, restaurants and routes whilst on the self-guided cycling in Shikoku island you will be provided with extensive trip notes. Bike hire is of course included and your quality hybrid bike comes complete with lock and helmet.

Shikoku Island is the smallest and least populated island of Japan's four main islands and your route here will take you through the central mountains into the Iya valley, famous for its clear running rivers, gorges and ancient vine bridges, and then westwards to the seaboard following ancient pilgrimage trails. Before crossing back to the mainland you will explore the castle port city of Matsuyama which is also famous for its historic hot spring baths. Fantastic scenery will make for some truly breathtaking rides.

This package takes in a side of Japan not experienced by most visitors: handpicked local inns, secluded countryside onsens (hot springs) to soak any weary muscles and traditional local culinary specialities.

The final day's riding where you board a slow boat through the inland sea to Hiroshima is sure to be a highlight as you leave quaint Shikoku and are back in a wonderfully lively Japanese city on the main island of Honshu.

The cycling on this trip (50k to 70k per day for 6 days) is easy in the cities but tougher in the countryside so you will need to be a reasonably strong cyclist - but the effort pays fantastic dividends!

Prices:
2012
Standard:
Twin: Ł2510 Single: Ł2890

Upgrade:
Twin: N/A Single: N/A

Click for full details of pricing including extra nights

What's Included:

13 nights accommodation in Japan
Breakfast each morning
4 Evening meals
Meet and Greet upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport
All transport between destinations including airport transfers
Guided cycle in Tokyo
Guided cycle from Kyoto to Nara
Bike hire in Tokyo & Kyoto (1 day each) and for Shikoku (7 days)
Helmets, locks, route maps & InsideJapan Tours complimentary info-pack

What's NOT Included:

International flights
Local transport at any destination (buses, subways, taxis) unless covered by included transport passes
Entrance fees
Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip

Important Notes

There are some days of tough cycling on this trip and so you will need to be a reasonably strong cyclist.

Supplements

There is no seasonal supplement for this itinerary.

Black Out Dates
Please note that during certain Japanese holiday periods, the prices
detailed in this brochure are NOT valid for packages if any of the
nights' accommodation fall within the following dates:

29th December to 4th January New Year
29th April to 5th May Golden Week
9th August to 17th August Obon Festival

Please contact us for pricing if your trip falls within any of these periods.

Included evening meals are in Tokyo (1), Rural Shikoku (1), Iya Valley (1) and Iyo Mishima (1)

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

Meals: None

Your adventures in Japan will begin when you are met upon arrival at Narita Airport by our representative who will escort you to an express train that will take you to Keisei Ueno Station in Tokyo. You will also be provided with taxi vouchers to get from the station to your hotel, the Asakusa Sunroute Hotel, to make your transfer as easy as possible.

Day 2 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

You will be met at your hotel in Tokyo this morning by your cycle leader for the day who will be taking you on a full day tour of Tokyo by bike. From your hotel it is a short transfer to pick up bikes and then time to head off around the city! Highlights include the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Bay. Pivoting on the old castle and port areas that were the most active parts of the town in the 16th century area you will circumnavigate this amazing city with a great 45 km flat course that has you along rivers, beside moats, passed a sake tasting off licence, over sea bridges, next to Shogunate gardens and right through the centre of this great and interesting capital city. The day is flexible so if you have any specific requests please do ask. After a full day of cycling you will be taken out for an included dinner at a local restaurant - a great way to end the day and gain even more insight in this fascinating city.

Day 3 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

For the journey between Tokyo and Kyoto you will be travelling by Shinkansen. We will be supplying you with Nozomi Super Express tickets - the flagship train. The Tokaido Shinkansen line was the first of Japan's famous 'Bullet' Train lines to open and traverses the 343 miles between Tokyo and Osaka. When the 00 series trains with their distinctive bullet-shaped noses first started running in October of 1964 (just in time for the Tokyo Olympics) journey time to Osaka was over 4 hours. Today the same trip can be done in just 2 hours 35 minutes! Your journey time to Kyoto will be between 2h17 and 2h45. Keep a look out of the right hand windows of the train for Mt. Fuji. But don't be disappointed if you can't see her as she is a notoriously shy mountain.

Day 4 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

We will arrange bike hire today for you to enjoy a full day exploring Kyoto. You will also be provided with maps and recommended routes to enable you to get the most out of the day. The detailed self-guided course include Kyoto's many temples, shrines and palaces such as the stunning Nijo Castle, the spiritual Ryoanji Zen garden, the beautiful Kinkakuji 12th century temple and the famous Philosophers' Walk area with its many temples and shrines, including Nanzenji temple and its Sanmon gate for great setting sun views over Kyoto city.

Day 5 Kyoto

Meals: Breakfast

Today you have a free day in Kyoto. This is an opportunity to further explore the city. Kyoto has a tremendous amount to offer, whether you wish to discover some of the smaller temples and shrines dotted around the city or stroll through the bustling Nishiki Shijo market. The Kimono fashion show in the Nishijin textile district is well worth a look and if you wish to see some of the natural beauty of the Kyoto area, then the Hozugawa river trip makes for a great afternoon or morning travelling down the river on a traditional style boat. If you have any special requests please ask and we will see what we can do.

Day 6 Tokushima

Meals: Breakfast

You will be met for breakfast at 8am by your guide for the day who will help get you started and answer all your questions about having a great and safe week on the bike. Bikes, locks, helmets, water bottle, dry map and notes bag are all included in your tour package which will be given to you by your guide today. You will leave Kyoto with your guide to cycle one of Japan's many riverside cycle paths 55kms to Nara. This is a flat ride with great views all the way and a good warm up to get the legs ready for the rest of the trip. Nara city predates Kyoto as a political centre and, like Kyoto, has many interesting temples and gardens to explore. You will have time to check out Nara's important sights such as Todai-ji temple, the largest wooden building in the world, and its 7th century 250 ton bronze Buddha, before transferring to Wakayama for the ferry to Tokushima on Shikoku and the start of your 'real' adventure. Your guide will run over the gear, notes and remainder of your trip and will show you some of the trip's major highlights before leaving you to the self guided-trip.

Day 7 Rural Shikoku

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Your self-guided cycling adventures begin today! From Tokushima you will head inland. It's a tough start as you hit a couple of steep hills but the pay-off is the beautiful view of an isolated area of Japan on little travelled paved roads. Tonight you will be staying in a local ryokan - a traditional Japanese style inn - which has its own hot spring baths. Ryokans offer an insight into Japanese life and your hosts tonight are a local family who offer great hospitality.

Day 8 Iya Valley

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today's ride is a 60km mix of ups and downs including the challenging but wonderful Mount Tsurugi. This is a big day's ride where you take on the toughest hill on the trip. It is very steep, has countless hairpins and we cycle almost to the peak of Tsurugi san, Shikoku's second highest peak. You can hike the last section for more great views of Shikoku's mountains and valleys. The afternoon is all downhill cycling through gorges and villages. You will stay in a ryokan again tonight as you do as often as possible on this trip and this Ryokan has one of the best outdoor onsens in Japan! Ideal for soothing any aching legs! There are numerous things to do in the area. One of which is an optional, but highly recommended, visit to a 350 year-old farmhouse, Chiiori, for some locally produced tea and traditional home made noodles. This farmhouse was restored by Alex Kerr, the only foreigner to win a Japanese literary award for a book he wrote in Japanese. Also, on offer are visits to the ancient vine bridge or a swim in the nearby beautiful Iya river. Rafting and canyoning adventures are also possible as well as some great local food and eclectic temples.

Day 9 Rural Shikoku

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Today is a great 60km course with a mostly flat and downhill sealed road and bike path in the morning and another mountain challenge in the afternoon before downhill to have a night near the island sea that separates Shikoku from Honshu, the main island. The great views now go from surrounding country-side to inland sea islands.

Day 10 Rural Shikoku

Meals: Breakfast

A great (and short!) 40km day's cycling along relatively flat coastal roads. The coastal roads will allow you a chance to absorb Japanese life on the seaside coast, different to the farming communities from the inland Iya section of the ride. This section has great views of the inland sea and its numerous islands and beaches and you'll have time for a swim if you wish, perhaps meeting some of the characters who live along this beautiful coastline. The local fish and seafood restaurants are a good place to start!

Day 11 Matsuyama

Meals: Breakfast

Once again you head into the hills for which Shikoku is famous, for today's 50km ride. You will be keeping the spiritual centre of Ishizuchi san, Shikoku's highest peak and its lovely National Park to your south as you go over the range and into one of the highlights of this great ride - Matsuyama city. We ride past one of the most impressive temples of the famous 88 holy temples on Shikoku Island's pilgrimage - Ishite Temple. Your info-pack includes an account of moving legend associated with this temple. Matsuyama is also famous for its hot spring area called Dogo Onsen, the water source here is the oldest recorded in Japan mentioned in the ancient text “Nihon Shoki”. The top of the main bath house building is decorated with the legendary white heron, a reminder of the injured bird who discovered the spring and was healed by the waters. A large drum is beaten at 6.30 every morning to announce the bath's opening.

Day 12 Hiroshima

Meals: Breakfast

This morning you follow a course of the 'best of' Matsuyama's many sights - the fantastic castle, Dogo hot springs and Dogo park - before heading at around midday, to the port to catch a ferry to Hiroshima. It's a great trip across the scenic inlands sea and then a short ride into town. After arriving in Hiroshima you follow our course to your lovely family run ryokan next to the central Peace Park and its moving museum. This evening follow our recommendations into the great nightlife of this vibrant city. A beer and okonmiyaki meal (local specialty) at one of the many restaurants in the downtown area is highly recommended.

Day 13 Tokyo

Meals: Breakfast

Today will be a great chance to visit the Peace Museum in Hiroshima. We will organize (subject to availability) a survivor from the atomic bomb to speak with you after your visit to the museum if you wish. Depending on what time you wish to head to Tokyo you could also possibly fit in a visit to scenic Miyajima Island. This afternoon you will board the amazing Nozomi Shinkansen (the flagship of the Shinkansen fleet) and speed your way 900km east to Tokyo. Journey time is around 4 hours - so sit back and relax in the comfortable reserved seats. In Tokyo enjoy one more night of bright lights!

Day 14 Depart

Meals: Breakfast

Sadly your adventures in Japan are at an end. You will need to make your way from the Kadoya Hotel to Shinjuku Station (3 minutes on foot). From here you will be taking the Narita Express which makes the journey direct to the airport in just over 1h15. We will be supplying you with Reserved Seat tickets for this transfer.

Photos

Exploring Tokyo by bike

Cycling around Nara

From Kiyomizu temple to Yasaka shrine in Kyoto

Into the countryside!

Cycle past tea plantations...

.. and rice fields

The interior of Shikoku's Iya Valley

Stunning landscapes await

Kazura-bashi - vine bridge

Kotohira temple town

Old towns of Shikoku

On the temple trail!

Pricing Information

2012
Standard Price:		Ł2510 (Single Price: Ł2890)
Upgrade Price:		N/A (Single Price: N/A)

Extra Nights:
Standard Grade
	Start: Twin Share pp Ł65 Single pp Ł65 End: Twin Share pp Ł65 Single pp Ł80

Accommodation

Standard

Upgrade

Asakusa Blue Wave Inn

Tokyo

Moderate Hotel

The Blue Wave Inn is located just a stone's throw from Sensoji Temple, the oldest and most venerated in Tokyo. Rooms are modern and bright and fully en-suite. The Ginza and Asakusa subway lines are just a short walk away meaning access to the rest of Tokyo is easy and the nearby Tobu line provides direct trains to Nikko.

Heianbo Ryokan

Kyoto

Ryokan (JP)

The Heianbo is a traditional ryokan located near to Higashi Honganji temple for which it used to act as a temple lodging. The ryokan is just a short walk from Kyoto station and is near to subway and bus stops as well making it an ideal base for exploring Kyoto. The rooms are traditional Japanese style with futons and low "Kotatsu" tables. Although it is a traditional wooden building, the Heianbo does have free internet access available in the lobby.

Agnes Hotel

Tokushima

Budget Hotel

The Agnes is a boutique hotel located a short distance from the main train station. This hotel features modern, stylish rooms and its own pastry cafe on the ground floor. The cakes are to-die-for and the breakfast is really rather good too!

Tsurugi-no-yu

Rural Shikoku

Minshuku (JP)

Tsurugi-no-yu is a Japanese style inn known for its great hot spring baths. Located in a small village this is a fantastic chance to stay in an area rarely visited by non-Japanese. Breakfast and a gourmet dinner are included.

Kazuraya Hotel

Iya Valley

Japanese Style

The Kazuraya is a Japanese style hotel with traditional rooms, all of which are en-suite. The hotel features lovely hot spring baths, great food and an unbeatable location with breathtaking views of the Iya valley. The famous vine bridge (kazurabashi) is only a 10 minute walk away. The hotel's outdoor hot spring bath is one of the best in Japan - true relaxation in the middle of the countryside!

Tsuruya Iyo Mishima

Rural Shikoku

Budget Ryokan (JP)

The Tsuruya Iyo Mishima tonight is a small family-run inn in Mishima town. Rooms are simple Japanese style and breakfast and dinner are included in your stay. A friendly welcome is assured here!

Hiuchi Tsudoi Hotel

Rural Shikoku

Business Hotel

In the small town of Saijo, in the heart of Shikoku, you will be staying at the Hiuchi Tsudoi Hotel. The hotel is in the centre of town and has its own cafe as well as a handy coin-laundry. Rooms are en-suite and have all the ammenities you need.

Hotel Dogo Patio

Matsuyama

Business Hotel

A comfortable western-style hotel in a fantastic location, right opposite the famous Dogo Onsen bath-house. Rooms are modern and have full ensuite facilities. The hotel offers internet access in the lobby and a sushi restaurant on the ground floor, perfect for an evening meal.

Ikawa Ryokan

Hiroshima

Budget Ryokan (JP)

In Hiroshima you will be staying at the Ikawa Ryokan, a small and friendly family-run inn located just a short walk from the Peace Park. This is a great location for your stay in this fascinating city. The hearty breakfast here will make you sure you get the most out of your time in Hiroshima!

Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza

Tokyo

Moderate Hotel

The Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza is conveniently located on the south side of Shinjuku station and opened in late 2007. The building has a sleek and modern design throughout, from the spacious lobby area to the well-appointed guestrooms, which offer flatscreen TV with video-on-demand and spacious bathrooms. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar and also a guest lounge providing internet access and complimentary hot drinks. The hotel is in a fantastic location in the lively Shinjuku district of Tokyo, with an endless choice of shopping, dining and entertainment options within a few minutes' walk. The hotel is also just two minutes on foot from Shinjuku station, offering easy access to other areas of the city.