Exploring Japan on a Bike Tour with Backroads
Home to a culture that grew separate from foreign influence, Japan is true to itself and has a distinct character from almost any other place on Earth. Beyond its culture, the land feels undiscovered and is beautiful in its own right. You’ll be up close and personal with this unique culture and stunning landscape as you explore the island on your bike.
Our Japan Bike Tour
Starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto, our Japan Bike Tour uncovers parts of Japan that would be hard to find on your own. While Tokyo and Kyoto are mostly accessible for English speakers, once you go outside the big cities – where there are so many amazing things to see! – it’s hard to get by without at least a little Japanese language know-how.
That’s where we come in. We’ll be your local and cultural liaisons as we bike around the island, exploring captivating cultural, historical and natural elements. Here are three of our favorite locations we visit on our trip!
First Stop: Nikko
The Nikko Toshogu complex is over 400 years old and is home to Sanzaru, a temple with a façade depicting the Three Wise Monkeys covering their eyes, ears and mouths, respectively.
Beyond Nikko’s famous temples is Suginamiki.
Known as Cedar Avenue in English, Suginamiki is a 35-kilometer scenic route, the longest tree-lined road in the world and one of our favorite places to bike in all of Japan. Enjoy this tree-covered ride – it’s one of the most beautiful in the world.
Known as Cedar Avenue in English, Suginamiki is a 35-kilometer scenic route, the longest tree-lined road in the world and one of our favorite places to bike in all of Japan. Enjoy this tree-covered ride – it’s one of the most beautiful in the world.
After exploring all that Nikko has to offer, make sure to taste local sake and relax in the onsen (geothermal baths) at our hotel.
Yatsuo
Yatsuo is a historic town in the Toyama Prefecture. With buildings dating back to the Edo period, you’ll feel as if you took a step back in time. It’s known for its Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival, a tradition over 300 years old that showcases dancing to ensure a bountiful rice harvest. It’s an incredible place to take a walk and one of our favorite stops on-trip.
We couldn’t make this list without including Kyoto. Kyoto (or “old capital”) was the capital of Japan before Tokyo. It was originally named Heian-kyō but was renamed after Tokyo became the nation’s capital.
It’s one of the most historic cities in Japan. One of the reasons for its preserved architecture is that it avoided attacks in World War II. While many other cities, Tokyo included, were bombed by the United States, Kyoto was spared.
Why, you ask? Some people attribute it to the Secretary of War, Henry Stimson, sparing the city either because it was a place he honeymooned or because of its cultural significance. Historians aren’t all in agreement on that fact, but one thing’s for sure – however it came to pass, we can all enjoy Kyoto’s history a little more thanks to this decision.
On this trip, we explore quiet ancient streets, are entertained by a geisha and cycle on peaceful routes along the Kamo River. We’ll also stop by Fushimi Inari-Taisha and walk through the 10,000 (yes, that’s right – 10,000!) orange torii gates that lead to an ancient Shinto temple.