Day 1: Narita – Narita EX – Tokyo – Shinkansen – Nagano
Visit Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. Make a prayer for the group’s safety.
Stay in Nagano
Day 2: Ride to Togakushi.
Japanese power spot and ancient Ninja training area. 55 km mostly all uphill for our first day.
Some nice trail riding once in Togakushi Village
Stay at Togakushi Japanese style inn (Ryokan)
Day 3: Ride to Hakuba in the Japanese Northern Alps.
Ride via Iizuna Kogen and down trail to the valley floor then through rural Japan up and down to Hakuba culminating with an off-road climb to our Alps look out over the Peaks of Hakuba. From here Ride single track into Hakuba Village and again stay at a renovated and luxurious Onsen (Hot Spring) Ryokan. Enjoy Japanese Taiko Drumming.
Stay in Hakuba at Shiroumaso
Day 4: Shio No Michi (Salt Road)
Start the long ride along the ancient Shio No Michi (Salt Road) where the Salt was carried from the Japan Sea to just south of Matsumoto.
Pass Lake Aokiko and go for a dip in the lake then the Hotaka Shrine and also hit a trail along the way to finish at Matsumoto Castle and stay in Matsumoto for the night.
Stay at Matsumoto Hotel
Day 5: Lake Suwa to Kobuchizawa
After a long climb out of Nagano there is a long downhill to Lake Suwa.
Visit Suwa Hongo Taisha which is a very spiritual shinto shrine known for its power and strength giving energy.
Continue to Kobuchizawa at the base of the Central Japanese Alps.
Stay in Kobuchizawa this night. Home of the ‘Shinshu’ Whiskey distillery, so it would be rude not to partake.
Day 6: Ride from Kobuchizawa to the Base of Fujisan.
Another very long day to finish at Fujinomiya Stay in Fujinomiya City Hotel.
Day 7: Climb Mt Fuji
Climb Fuji San after a visit to Sengen Taisha Shrine to make a prayer and possibly receive a blessing for the group by the high priest for the safety and health of group.
Stay at Fuji Mountain Hut
Day 8: Climb to peak of Mt Fuji
Get up REAL Early to climb to the peak of Mt. Fuji, the highest point in Japan at 3,766 metres to see the sun rise over a sea of cloud and mist below. Enjoy the feeling at the top of the world and then descend to the 5th station where you can get a ride down to the bottom and into Tokyo or hike all the way to the bottom of the mountain and take the train into Tokyo if the non-support van option is decided upon.
Night out in Tokyo
Stay in Tokyo
Day 9: Visit Tokyo and return home.
Options for Tokyo are a visit to Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Sky Tree or other points of interest.
