Cycling in Japan

Our tour starts in Tokyo, the busy capital of Japan, which has a unique contrast of ultramodern and traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. Around 6pm, say konnichiwa to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Japanese welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want more time in Tokyo? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel or The B Ochanomizu (or similar) (D).

Today we enjoy a half-day orientation tour encompassing some of the city highlights, starting from the popular Asakusa district, where we visit Senso-ji, a seventh-century Buddhist temple. We approach the temple via the Nakamise, a shopping street home to a variety of traditional snacks and souvenirs. We then continue towards the Ueno area and walk through the beautiful public park filled with temples, shrines and about half a dozen museums. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing; your leader can recommend other local attractions, such as Shibuya, known for the busy crossing, and Meiji Shrine. Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel or The B Ochanomizu (or similar) (B).

In the morning, we take the express train (approximately 2hr 30min) to Kanazawa, in the western Ishikawa Prefecture, an atmospheric town that once rivalled Kyoto as the historic jewel of mainland Japan. After lunch, we enjoy a short cycling loop around the city, a good opportunity to fine-tune the bikes while enjoying some of the main attractions in town.

We ride through the popular Nagamachi Samurai District, an area that preserves a historic atmosphere with samurai residences, narrow lanes and canals. We also visit Kenrokuen, one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan, which is particularly spectacular during cherry blossom and autumn season. Stay: Dormy Inn Kanazawa (or similar) (B).

We depart Kanazawa after breakfast and cycle to the sea on a dedicated cycling path along the rugged coastline and past fishing villages.

After a leisurely and flat ride by the Sea of Japan, we arrive at Kaga, a town known for hot springs and traditional crafts. Here, we take a break from cycling to enjoy a local lunch. Recharged and rejuvenated, we visit the splendid house of a ship owner from the Edo period before continuing the journey towards the resort town of Kyukamura, our final destination, and enjoy sunset at nearby Oshima Bridge. Stay: Kyukamura Echizen Mikuni (or similar) (B/D).

Cycle south along the Echizen-kaigan coastline, winding past dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Along the way, we pause for a scenic oceanside lunch before turning inland towards the town of Echizen, the city of artisans. Stay: Route Inn Takefu Inter Hotel (or similar) (B/D).

Begin with a visit to Takefu Knife Village, a unique hub where nine workshops share one creative space. Enjoy an exclusive factory tour and witness artisans forging blades with exceptional skill, surrounded by the heat and rhythm of traditional craftsmanship.

Afterwards, we stop at an inn from the late Edo period where you can order soba noodles before riding towards Tsuruga through the former Hokuriku railway line.

This evening, we enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant in the village of Tsuruga, where we spend the next two nights. Stay: Hotel Granbinario Tsuruga (or similar) (B/D).

After breakfast, for our final ride in the Fukui prefecture, we embark on a loop around the five lakes of Mikata and Wakasa Bay, including a break for lunch at a seafood restaurant in a tranquil setting. Today's cycling route also passes through Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park and offers magnificent views throughout. Stay: Hotel Granbinario Tsuruga (or similar) (B).

We take a break from cycling today and experience a dramatic change of landscape as we travel inland by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa and then bus (approximately three hours) to Shirakawa-go, a secluded mountainous region cut off from the rest of Japan for a long period of time. Villages in this area are famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which were declared a Unesco site in 1995.

Their unique architectural style is characterised by steep thatched roofs, built to withstand heavy winter snowfall, and provide a large attic space for the cultivation of silkworms. We arrive in Shirakawa-go in the afternoon in time to enjoy a leisurely walk through the picture-perfect mountain village, with the opportunity to visit some of the oldest buildings.

Although not always guaranteed due to limited availability, we usually spend the night at one or more gassho-zukuri, run by local farmers, allowing us to get a real feel of a Japanese family home. Important: As there is no storage for large suitcases on the shinkansen, you will need to pack a small overnight bag for tonight. You are reunited with your main luggage tomorrow (Day 9) at the Takayama hotel. Stay: Gassho Zukuri Houses or Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute (when gassho-zukuri not available) (B/D).

Today is the most challenging ride of the trip as we cycle inland to Hida Takayama, at the foothills of the Japanese Alps. Riding out of Shirakawa-go, from an altitude of approximately 1,640ft (500m), we gradually climb up 3,610ft (1,100m) for the first 28mi (45km) of the route.

There are some wonderful views to enjoy along the way, from the picturesque shores of Miboro Lake and quaint rural villages to hillsides and forested valleys that burst into colour during autumn. On the last section of the ride, we enjoy two great descents before reaching our destination: Hida Takayama, often named Little Kyoto because of the similarity of its architecture and quaint atmosphere. Stay: Takayama Ouan/Tokyu Stay Hida Takayama (or similar) (B).

Today we cycle the Hida Seseragi Highway, a beautiful route following swift mountain streams (and one of the most popular places to experience the striking autumn colours in Japan). Riding past little villages, shrines and paddy fields, we reach the pleasant riverside town of Gujo-hachiman, known for its pristine waterways and 16th-century castle. Before dinner, we have time for a pleasant stroll through the vibrant town centre and along the atmospheric canals and waterways, which are still used daily by the local people for washing rice, vegetables and laundry. Stay: Onoso Ryokan (or similar) (B/D).

After breakfast, we have the option to walk to the hilltop Gujo Castle built in 1559 by the local feudal lord, where we can enjoy wonderful vistas. Today's pleasant and more leisurely ride follows the Nagara River, famed across Japan for its clear water and quiet beauty. Some sections of the riverside are particularly picturesque during cherry blossom season when more than 400 cherry trees are in full and glorious bloom.

We pedal along the river for most of the day and stop in the pleasant town of Mino, a century-old production centre of high-quality traditional Japanese paper. Our final destination today is Gifu; we should arrive in time for an optional visit to the castle atop Mount Kinka. We overnight in Gifu City. Important: As there is no storage for large suitcases on the shinkansen train tomorrow, you will need to pack a small overnight bag for tonight. You are reunited with your main luggage tomorrow (Day 12) at the Kyoto hotel. Stay: Resol Gifu Hotel (or similar) (B).

We take a break from cycling today; instead, we travel by train (approximately two hours) to the wonderful city of Kyoto. With more than 2,000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japanese heritage and remains one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. Unlike many other Japanese towns, it escaped the ravages of both the Second World War and modern urban development thereby keeping intact much of the spirit and architecture of traditional Japan.

The day is free for individual sightseeing with many highlights to explore, including Nijo castle, built in 1603 as a residence for the Tokugawa shoguns; Kiyomiduzera temple; and the scenic Fushimi Inari Shrine, featured in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). We also recommend a walk in the historic district of Gion, which is at its most atmospheric in the early evening, when the lanterns are lit and apprentice geishas flit about the backstreets as they head to their appointments. Stay: Hotel Monterey Kyoto (or similar) (B).

Set off on a scenic bike ride along the Kamo River this morning, enjoying glimpses of Kyoto life as we follow the clear waters north into the tranquil Tadasu-no-Mori forest. Here, we pause to explore the ancient Shimogamo Shrine before continuing east to the refined Silver Pavilion and its famous gardens.

We then ride along the peaceful Philosopher's Path and arrive at Nanzen-ji, where Zen architecture, rock gardens, and a striking brick aqueduct create a perfect blend of history and harmony with nature. Turning west, we roll into Gion, Kyoto's iconic geisha district. We visit Tatsumi Bridge – made famous by Memoirs of a Geisha – and learn about the traditions of maiko and geisha that still thrive in this atmospheric area. After returning to the hotel, the afternoon is yours to relax or continue exploring the city by foot.

In the evening, the tour leader arranges an optional celebratory farewell dinner in one of the most authentic restaurants in the city. Stay: Hotel Monterey Kyoto (or similar) (B).

The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Of course, if you'd like a bit more time to explore, you can speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).