Total distance: 970 kms in 13 days of riding.
Total elevation gain: 14,970 metres over 13 days
Elevation gain Average: 1151 metres per day
Day 1: Kyoto (Kinkakuji) ~ Obama (Japan Sea) | 94kms
Day at a glance: Head out of Kyoto from the Kinkakuji Temple and head strait into the mountains. Visit the Haneda Shuzo award winning sake brewers. Along forested mountain roads. Jump in with both feet on the first day to pull off almost 100kms
Accommodation: Kanematsu Ryokan
Click here for Google Map
Day 2: Obama ~ Echizen Onsen | 93kms
Day at a glance: Mikatagoko Micro Brewery & Wakasa Micro Brewery.
Mikatagoko (5 Lakes), Coast line, Temples, and old unused tunnels a fun and exciting day.
Accommodation: Kanetomo Ryokan
Click here for Google Map
Day 3: Echizen Coast ~ Eiheiji Temple | 50kms
Day at a glance: Views of the Sea of Japan to finish at Eiheiji Temple Zen Monastary for a chance to try zen meditation in the true sense.
Accommodation: Eiheiji (3 star small hotel)
Click here for Google Map
Day 4: Eiheiji ~ Kanazawa | (77 kms
Day at a glance: Yamanaka Onsen, Koorogi Bridge, Kanazawa Castle Ruins and much more on route to one of Japan’s ancient capitals.
Accommodation: Kanazawa, Hakuchoro Hot Springs
Click here for Google Map
Day 5: Kanazawa~ Togi Machi | 75 km
Roadside stop: Riding coastal roads we will ride along the Chirihama Sand Road, stop at the Keta Taisha Shrine and the Myojoji Temple. In Ganmon we will visit a 60 metre deep cave and ejoy the amazing rock formations and swim at Togi beach on of Japan’s top 50 beaches. There would be an option for a boat ride to view the Togi Rocks.
Accommodation: Kogetsukan
Click here for Google Map
Day 6: Togi Machi ~ Wajima | 65 Km
Day at a glance: Cycle the coastline to Wajima. We will visit Sojiji Temple and gardens before a 250 metre climb inland to gain views down to the Japan sea befor descending to continue along this spectacular coast line. There will be lots to see with in Wajima as it is a town known for it’s fisheries and lacquer ware, among other sites.
Accommodation: Wajima Yashio Ryokan (4 people per room or increased charge of ¥5,000 / person for twin or double room, Japanese Ryokan Inn)
Click here for Google Map
Day 7: Wajima ~ Noto | 90km
Day at a glance: Following the coastline we continue to pass through many fishing villages and some great points of interest like Shiroyone Semeidda, the famous terraced rice fields above the sea and a visit to a magnificently preserved Edo period farm manor. We will travel out to the far point of Noto Peninsula or can cut over land as we feel fit. We end up at another amazing accommodation looking out over the Japan Sea and the floating Mitsujima Island.
Accommodation: Notojiso (luxury Onsen Hotel)
Click here for Google Map
Day 8: Noto ~ Wakura Onsen | 95km
Day at a glance: After a morning dip and swim out to Battleship Island we can follow the coast or travel inland for a 200 metre climb and decent back down to the Noto Bridge onto Noto Island where we have the chance to see wild dolphins playing in one of the Island’s many bays. We can make this day a long ride or cut it shorter with rout selection. We will stay at Wakura Onsen, seen as one of the first Hot Spring Resorts in Japan dating back 1200 years.
Accommodation: Niji to Umi (Rainbow and Sea) (New Ryokan Inn)
Click here for Google Map
Day 9: Wakura Onsen ~ Takaoka | 60 km
Day at a glance: A chance to visit the Nanao Quay and fish market in the morning before a good little 200 metre climb and descent to follow yet another beautiful and historic coast line. Stop at an ancient cave dwelling that has human settlement dating back before the Jomon Era (pottery era) and a visit to a traditional sake brewery in Himi before heading into Toyama Prefecture and Takaoka City.
Accommodation: Takaoka New Otani (Standard Western)
Click here for Google Map
Day 10: Takaoka ~ Shirakawago | 60 km
Day at a glance: Following the Oyabe River out of town and back up into the mountains with a short stop at Zuisenji Temple. The ride through the mountains is spectacular and then to ride into the old mountain town filled with Gasho Zukuri thatched roved houses is quite surreal. We will stay in one of the larger of the traditional guest houses for a very special night in the Hida Mountains.
Accommodation: Shirakawago, Magomon 200 year old Guest House
Click here for Google Map
Day 11: Shirakawago ~ Takayama | 60 km
Day at a glance: Following the ancient trading routes through the Hida Mountain range from Shirakawa to Takayama to spend a night in one of Japan’s Edo period castle towns. We will visit the Edo period merchant district with tea houses and sake breweries scattered through out the narrow streets. Visiting The Hida Folk Village and the shrines and temples of Higashiyama. We will stay in a traditional Ryokan accommodation to live out how the aristocrats of days past would have stayed.
Accommodation: Ryokan Tanabe (or similar Traditional Japanese Inn)
Click here for Google Map
Day 12: Takayama ~ Norikura | 67 km
Day at a glance: Famous for its huge vertical and great views of the Northern Japan Alps. Unfortunately the time of year will not allow us to go right over the top of the mountain but we will ride over the pass to Norikura town. Norikura is also very well known for it’s mountain bike trails…so if anyone is still up for it a spin on a mountain bike can be had here and decent bikes can be hired at the accommodation.
Accommodation: North Star Alpine lodge
Click here for Google Map
Day 13: Norikura ~ Narai Juku ~ Matsumoto | 82 km
Day at a glance: A mostly downhill day passing the Nomugi Pass and into the Kiso Valley to Narai Juku. Narai has a quiet and soothing atmosphere and is a world away from the frantic atmosphere of Japan’s main cities on the Pacific Coast. We will finish our ride in the Edo Period Castle town of Matsumoto and enjoy dinner out on the town.
Accommodation: Hotel Buena Vista
Click here for Google Map
Day 14: Matsumoto Castle
Day at a glance: Enjoy a slow morning and a walk or ride to Matsumoto Castle and the surrounding shops and sights of this once Samurai Post and stronghold of Takeda Shingen, a famous and fierce samurai of the 17th century. the group can then catch the Super Azusa direct to Shinjuku, Tokyo or go their own ways. Travel north deep into the Northern Japanese Alps town of Hakuba for more outdoor adventures or Nagano City to visit this famous temple town that is said to be the home of the oldest Buddhist artifact in Japan deep at the centre of Zenkoji Temple.
Accommodation: Tokyo, Hakuba, or Nagano (not included)
