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). We will meander through apple and pear orchards as we head to a picnic lunch in a beautiful country park. After lunch, we’ll head to the historical monk shrine “Kosuge jinja” to bless the bikes and our tour by a traditional Shinto High Priest known as a “Gūji”. We will finish our ride in the charming hot spring town of Nozawa Onsen and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy the next two nights in Nozawaonsen at Ryokan Sakaya, or View Hotel Shimataya.

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 our hotel 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 to a rest stop where you may find locals making handmade Soba noodles. Our next rest will be at Takada Castle, from the Edo period – famous for its cherry blossoms. Pedal on to the coast of the Sea of Japan where we will finish our ride at a local fish market. Lodging will be at the Lotte Arai Resort.

Start with a shuttle to Imori-pond to begin riding on winding mountain roads. We’re already in Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park and will continue pedaling though 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. Witness ancient Japanese architecture and learn about Aizome – a traditional indigo fabric dyeing method. Our next stop will be to sample gelato made with local vegetables (yes – vegetables!). Enjoy lunch at a popular Italian restaurant and finish at a local winery on a beautiful hilltop. We will say goodbye to our first group of local guides before shuttling back to Lotte Arai for another night with dinner in the hotel.

Transfer Day. We travel to Kanazawa, recognized for its rich history as a “City of Crafts and Folk Art” by UNESCO. Often compared to Kyoto (though much smaller than the ancient capital), Kanazawa is renowned for its impeccable geisha and samurai districts, and the iconic Kenrokuen garden which is known as one of three “Great Gardens of Japan”. The garden is beautiful year-round, and especially magical 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 an optional meditation when we arrive, or head straight out to begin exploring Kanazawa’s wonders on your own before a well-earned rest at Hyatt Centric Kanazawa. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

After breakfast we will shuttle to explore the traditional thatched-roof village known as “Gokayama,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will then take a short shuttle down from the mountain village to begin our ride with a beautiful view of the Oyabe River Valley descending toward Toyama Bay. Relax with amazing views of the Japanese Alps from the beach. Enjoy a delightful lunch before the ride to the hotel. Stay two nights in Himi at the Hotel Eihokaku, Himi Umiakari Onsen Hotel, or similar.

Our last ride starts at the south end of Noto Island, looping through quiet inland country roads and along the coastline. Along the water, take in views of the Sea of Japan and meander through quaint fishing villages. Enjoy a lovely Italian lunch before cycling back along the coast to our hotel. After the ride, celebrate a wonderful week with an 8-course dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Enjoy one last rejuvenating soak in the hot springs and spend another night in Himi before our departure in the morning.

In the morning, shuttle from Himi to Takaoka (~30 min) to catch a bullet train back to Tokyo, arriving around midday. The rest of the day is yours to explore Tokyo. Spend your last night of the tour back where you began at the Marunouchi Hotel. or the ICI Hotel Ueno Shin-Okachimachi. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

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