Japan Bike Tour with Backroads
Price: $10,399CAD Per Person
(Price per person, based on double occupancy. Price includes internal air.)
Photo: Biking in Japan
Features
- Bike the Noto Peninsula's breathtaking coast amid plunging cliffs, old-world fishing villages, hidden coves and terraced rice fields
- Discover the diverse facets of Japanese culture like taiko drumming, traditional tea rituals, kaiseki-style fare and modern art
- Rejuvenate at Japan's top ryokans, replete with natural hot springs, superb cuisine and panoramic views over the shimmering sea
- Explore Kyoto, where each street is filled with hidden gems and geishas come to learn the timeless trade
- Bike through Bhutan's culturally and scenically rich valleys—an off-the-beaten-path adventure travel experience
- Hike to secluded Buddhist temples and atmospheric monasteries high above the valley, including the legendary Tiger's Nest
Inclusions
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porteragers and porterage
Photo: Photo: Biking in Japan
Days 1-2
Cycle the Noto Peninsula's coast past plunging cliffs, coves and fishing villages | A world of serenity awaits at our classic ryokan accommodations | Don a yukata (robe) and savor a traditional kaiseki-style dinner | Bike past the famous Shiroyone Senmaida, a cliff blanketed with a mosaic of terraced rice paddies | Delight in a taiko drumming performance.
Accommodations:
- Kaiyu Notonosho
- Notonosho Ryokan
- Waijima
Premiere Hotel. Serenity, hot-spring baths, futons and tradition await at this beautiful inn by the sea. (spa)
Days 3-4
Discover the old-world countryside of Notojima (or Noto Island) and bike the island's forested hills and quiet country roads | Shop for unique souvenirs at one of Japan's oldest outdoor markets | Relax in stunning onsen, open-air hot tubs, or indulge in a traditional shiatsu massage | Partake in a traditional tea ceremony (or chaji) | Learn the steps of this highly stylized ritual, a highlight of our cultural adventure. Luxuriate at our seaside resort, long considered one of the finest in Japan.
Accommodations:
- Matsuno Midori
- Wakura
Premiere Hotel. Experience Japanese elegance at this spectacular waterfront retreat, complete with inspiring views and sea breezes.
Day 5
Ride along Toyama Bay and skirt the base of the Japanese Alps | Gorgeous panoramic views abound as you cruise across the majestic Shinminato Bridge | Bike to Yatsuo, one of the best preserved historical villages in Japan | Visit hilltop Kinbyōzan Zuisen-ji, a picturesque Buddhist temple renowned for its Zen garden | Tour our extraordinary hotel and admire its world-class art collection.
Accommodations:
- Garaku River Retreat
- Toyama
Premiere Hotel. Modern luxury and artistry of design abound at this riverside inn nestled in the Northern Alps. (spa)
Days 6-8
Explore the quaint streets of historic Kyoto, known for its traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops | Cycle along the shoreline of Lake Biwa, the frequent subject of Japanese folklore and the country’s largest fresh water lake | Bike past small towns, stretches of forest and popular beaches | Walk under countless torii, or Japanese gates, on a climb up to famed Fushimi Inari-Taisha, a popular Shinto temple that dates back to AD 711 | From the summit of iconic Inari hill, soak up unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and Kyoto below.
Accommodations:
- Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, Japan
- Kyoto
Premiere Hotel. Fusuma panels, paper lanterns and lacquerware are among the artisanal elements at this refined property in the well-preserved Higashiyama District. (pool, spa)