Japan’s Nagano Highlands to the Sea Bike Tour

Meet your Bicycle Adventures guide in the lobby of our pre-tour hotel to board a morning bullet train to Iiyama. Upon arrival in Iiyama, Nagano, we will set up our bikes and start riding from Iiyama station (around 10am). First, we’ll head to the historical monk shrine “Kosuge jinja” to bless the tour. After visiting the shrine, we’ll have a picnic lunch at a park on the way. The ride is followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Nozawaonsen – a charming hot spring village. Enjoy the next two nights in Nozawaonsen at Ryokan Sakaya, a hot spring inn that has been in business for 18 generations!

After breakfast, pedal from the hotel to Nagasaka gondola station. Take a gondola ride with your bike up to the cool subalpine Uenotaira Highlands (above 5400ft). Cycle through forests of Japanese beech trees while enjoying birdsongs and the fresh mountain air. Enjoy the beautiful nature of “Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park as well as great views from Shibu-Toge mountain pass (elev.7125’). Head downhill to town and finish at a local brewery to toast a great ride before we shuttle back to Ryokan Sakaya for another night.

Ride from our hotel in Nozawaonsen down to the riverside before beginning the climb to Sekida Pass. Enjoy wondrous views of the forests and surrounding landscape as you pedal up this low-traffic road. An ice cream treat from a local gelato shop awaits you in Joetsu – a coastal port city. Take another rest and enjoy a coffee at Takada Castle, from the Edo period – famous for its cherry blossoms. Pedal on to the coast of the Sea of Japan before heading back inland to finish near Myoko. Lodging will be at the Lotte Arai Resort with dinner at a Japanese tavern.

Start riding from the hotel again today. We’re already in Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park and will pay a visit to the Myoko-Kogen visitor center to learn about the local nature and culture. Pedal though the beautiful rural scenery of the Shin’etsu region, featuring rice fields, an enormous lake and Mt. Iizuna, home to a legendary “tengu,” or spirit. On the way, visit a “Kominka” – an old Japanese-style house – and see the life of the area’s ancient people. Sample gelato made with local vegetables (yes – vegetables!). Enjoy lunch at a popular Italian restaurant and finish at St. Cousair, a local winery on a beautiful hilltop. From there, we shuttle back to Lotte Arai for another night and have dinner in the hotel.

Transfer Day. Today we travel to Kanazawa, recognized for it rich history as a “City of Crafts and Folk Art” by UNESCO. Often compared to Kyoto (though significantly smaller than the ancient capital), Kanazawa is renowned for its impeccable geisha and samurai districts, the iconic Kenrokuen stroll garden, and its wonderful cuisine – including some of Japan’s highest-quality seafood. Kanazawa’s most famous attraction is Kenrokuen Garden. The garden is beautiful year-round, and especially magical (though crowded) in spring for cherry blossom season and again in the fall for autumn leaves. The beautifully-preserved Higashi Chaya District is the city’s most famous traditional teahouse and geisha district. Join us for a meditation when we arrive, or explore Kanazawa’s wonders on your own with a well-earned rest at Hyatt Centric Kanazawa. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

After breakfast we will take a shuttle to start riding from a UNESCO World Heritage Site, historical village “Gokayama”. After a little walking around the distinctive farmhouses, we pedal onward, descending toward Toyama Bay. Relax with amazing views of the Japanese Alps from the beach. Enjoy a delightful lunch before the ride back to the hotel. Stay two nights in ocean view rooms at the Hotel Eihokaku in Himi.

Our last ride starts in Himi, looping through quiet inland country roads and along the coastline. Along the water, take in views of rice terraces overlooking the Sea of Japan. After finishing, celebrate a wonderful week with dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Enjoy one last rejuvenating soak in the hot springs and spend another night exploring the city before our departure begins in the morning.

In the morning we transfer from Wajima to Komatsu (~2hrs) to catch a train or plane back to Tokyo, arriving around midday. The rest of the day is yours to explore Tokyo. Spend your last night of the tour in Japanese luxury and style at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyo!

Breakfast is included at the hotel this morning before you head to the airport for your flight home. Airport transfer is not included.