Cycle Japan

Trip Code: CJXC

Why we love it

Cycling allows you to get closer to the real Japan – from bicycles to Pokemon, serene temples to the organised chaos of the big cities, this classic adventure has it all., Choose to end rewarding days in the saddle with amazing Japanese feasts of sushi, unagi, tempura or even fugu, all washed down with a traditional sake or Sapporo beer., Ride both bikes and trains for the ultimate change of pace., Cycle through peaceful landscapes that show a land far from the big city lights of Tokyo., By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for me?

While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short (anywhere from 10 to 80 km / 6 to 50 miles of cycling each day) the terrain of the Gifu Prefecture is naturally hilly and the climate can vary dramatically. Most people with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy the trip, but you will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.

To complete this trip it is important that you are confident and competent in riding a bicycle, both solo and in a group environment.

While we always aim to ride to our next accommodation, outside of the main cities a support vehicle will also be with you at all times. In Japan, we can fit a maximum of four cyclists in the support vehicle.

On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back-marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back-marker.

If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort we have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip. Limited sizes are available so book quickly!

When we aren't cycling on this trip, we primarily use public transport, which is efficient and convenient in Japan. Please pack light and compact as you will be expected to transport your luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.

Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.

Important information

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 and Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

3. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. Please bring your own bike helmet from home. Helmets can be purchased in Kyoto if needed.

4. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available, and they are an 'on request' basis only.

What to bring/pack

LUGGAGE IN JAPAN
On this trip you will need to carry your own luggage for up to 30 minutes at a time. Train stations are quite complex and usually require climbing a lot of stairs, especially when doing a quick transfer from train to train. Elevators aren't always available and cannot accommodate many people at a time, so if you bring a suitcase, please ensure you are able to lift and carry it up and down stairs yourself without difficulty. Our ryokans allow suitcases, but you'll need to carry it onto the tatami floor in the room, instead of wheeling it. A backpack is often preferred by travellers for these reasons.

We recommend that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg.

LUGGAGE SIZE RESTRICTIONS ON JAPANESE TRAINS
Luggage allowances for train travel are calculated by adding the length, width and height together. We recommend your main piece of luggage does not exceed 159cm.

Luggage between 160cm and 250cm requires pre-booking additional luggage space for an additional fee. This can be difficult to secure given how busy Japan's rail system is. Luggage over 251 cm will NOT be permitted on Shinkansen trains.

If you have oversize luggage you will need to use luggage forwarding services. Additional charges will apply. Please speak to your leader if you need to utilise this service.

Japanese trains don’t have large luggage racks for big suitcases so it's best to pack as light and small as possible so that you are not blocking aisles or taking up extra seats.

DAY PACK
A day pack for carrying essentials when exploring destinations, as well as for any shorter overnight stays, will be useful.

SEASONAL CLOTHING
Weather in Japan varies greatly between summer and winter so be sure to check whether you’ll need a beanie and thermals or light cotton layers during your visit.

PACKING LIST
Below is a link to our ultimate packing list, a guide to get you started:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, CYCLING
Packing for a cycling tour isn’t that different from any other adventure, but if you want to be comfortable and warm, here are a few bike-specific requirements and suggestions:

• Main piece of luggage – as space in our support vehicle/transport can be limited we request that you bring only a small bag as your main piece of luggage. We recommend a soft-sided bag

• Helmet – these are compulsory, but if you don’t have your own you can often purchase an approved and well-fitted one at the start of the trip (our leaders can assist you with this). There are some destinations where you are unable to purchase appropriate helmets locally so you will always need to bring your own - please check the 'Important Notes' section to see if this is the case.

• Padded bike shorts

• Quick-dry jerseys – you can get away with a few cotton t-shirts but having a few light and breathable jerseys will make your cycling a lot more comfortable, especially in warmer/humid climates.

• Quick-dry socks

• Cycling gloves / Regular gloves – not essential but recommended as padded cycling gloves will make your riding more comfortable and can help protect you in the case of a fall. Regular gloves for those who may not own cycling gloves to keep hands warm in cold wet weather.

• Rain gear – pack a light poncho in case the weather turns when you’re out on the road.

• Light breathable waterproof/windproof outer layers – especially useful for those early mornings or downhill sections when wind-chill becomes a factor.

• Water bottle – we don't provide bottles, but all our bikes have one bottle holder fitted (and a second one can be fitted if required). Please bring a cycling-specific water bottle as other types will fall out of the holders. A Camelbak will make drinking on-the-go easier.

• Sunglasses – well-fitted sports sunglasses help protect against dust, insects and the sun.

• Day pack – our support vehicle will carry your main piece of luggage, but a day pack for snacks and clothes is a good idea.

• Sunscreen – please bring a high protection factor (e.g. SPF50) sunscreen as long days in the saddle mean long exposure to the sun.

• Shoes – normal sports shoes can be worn on all our trips however you may want to consider a flat shoe with a relatively stiff sole as it makes pedalling a lot more efficient. Regular cyclists are welcome to bring their own cycling-specific shoes however we recommend 'mountain bike' style shoes that have grip on the sole rather than ‘road bike' shoes as you will still be walking around while on the rides (cafe/photo/toilet stops, etc). For safety reasons we require that you wear shoes that completely cover the toes while riding.

• Saddles – Our saddles are standard, unisex models –less experienced cyclists may choose to bring your own gel seat cover for added comfort.

• Pedals – all bikes come with flat pedals. Regular cyclists are welcome to bring their own pedals – our leader will assist in fitting them to your bike.

• Bike Lights - we design our Cycling trips so that you are only riding during daylight hours so do not include bike lights. Should you feel more comfortable riding with 'daytime' flights please bring your own and we will be happy to assist in fitting them to your included bicycle, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination, and if it is, you can simply refill it with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you.

Physical rating

3

PHYSICAL PREPARATION
There are regular rest breaks each day, however it is important to note that you will be riding over multiple and consecutive days in a climate and terrain that may be unfamiliar. While it can be tempting to start out riding as hard and fast as you can (we get it!) we recommend taking it easy on the first few days while your body gets used to the rides and the climate.

As a general rule, the more preparation you can do for this type of trip, the more you will enjoy it. Prepare for the trip by doing aerobic type exercises before travelling - jogging or swimming are some options, though cycling is best. If possible take some extended day rides before travelling, or spend time on exercise bikes in the gym. The more your muscles (and bottom) are prepared for the riding on this trip the more you will be able to enjoy the wonderful countryside and people you meet while riding. Note that an enthusiasm for bike riding and adventure is essential!

It is also important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle, both solo and in a group environment.

CYCLING DISTANCES:
The information listed in the itinerary is a guide to the approximate distances and terrain cycled each day. However, this may vary depending on the physical capabilities of the group, and changes to local conditions. For safety reasons we only cycle during daylight hours, so there may be some early morning starts. We take regular rest breaks throughout cycling days.

Please note that the Gifu region in central Honshu is naturally are hilly and we have frequent climbs and descents on this trip. Most climbs are not overly long as but usually require slow, steady riding to get to the top. We are confident anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can complete these sections (the views really are amazing!) but also have a support vehicle with us at all times in case anyone wants to rest or skip the harder sections.

Joining your group

Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo, 59-1 Daikokucho, Sanjo-sagaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, JAPAN, Phone: 81 752559269

Lying at the heart of Kawaramachi Sanjo, Kyoto's popular hangout area, the hotel offers a perfect base to famous tourist spots such as Pontocho and Kiyamachi as well as the world famous Gion area and the Kamo River. The rooms are an integration of traditional and modern aspects of Kyoto and the Tatami floor creates the feeling you are staying in traditional Japanese-style house but with all the mod-cons like air-conditioning, wifi, TV, fridge, etc. The hotel has an onsite restaurant that serves both Japanese and Western-inspired cuisine. Check in is 15:00 (3pm) and check out is 11am.

Alternate Joining Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
12 Apr 2025 (CJXC250412)
10 May 2025 (CJXC250510)
31 May 2025 (CJXC250531)
21 Jun 2025 (CJXC250621)
26 Jul 2025 (CJXC250726)
16 Aug 2025 (CJXC250816)
06 Sep 2025 (CJXC250906)
20 Sep 2025 (CJXC250920)
11 Oct 2025 (CJXC251011)
25 Oct 2025 (CJXC251025)
15 Nov 2025 (CJXC251115)
Hearton Hotel
405 Funaya-cho
Nakagyo-Ku
Kyoto-shi
Nakagyo Ku
Kyoto
JAPAN
Phone: 081 752221300

Joining instructions

To the north of the hotel the Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae subway station (Tozai Line) is a 5-8 minute walk away from the Hotel Resol Kyoto. To the east of the hotel is the Sanjo Station, also a 5-8 minute walk (across the Sanjo Ohashi Bridge)
Public Transport Options from Kansai Airport (Osaka) - take the Limited Express Haruka (1 or 2 per hour depending on time of day) to Kyoto station. The journey takes approx. 1hr 20 mins. Change to the San-In line then get off at Nijo Station (next stop, approx. 6 mins) then take the Tozai subway line to the Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae subway station (4 stops, approx. 8 mins). Walk to the hotel from here.

Finishing your trip

Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, 1-8-5 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo 東京都台東区雷門1-8-5, Tokyo, Tokyo, 111-0034, JAPAN, Phone: +81 338471511

Hotel Sunroute Asakusa is conveniently located in Asakusa, the traditional heart of Tokyo. Asakusa is where you'll find Sensoji Temple (Tokyo's oldest temple) and around the temple complex many stalls and shops selling artisan products and souvenirs. The commercial-shopping and transport hub of Ueno is only a few subway stops away, providing great access to other parts of the capital as well as Tokyo's national museums located in expansive Ueno Park. The Edo-Tokyo Museum, the new Sumida Hokusai Museum, the Sumo Stadium and Sky Tree are also close-by.

Alternate Finish Point


The best way to reach Narita or Haneda airports from Tokyo is via the train. The train to Narita will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, whereas the train to Haneda will take around 1 hour. Please ask your tour leader or the hotel reception for more information and directions.

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 10

Lunches included: 6

Dinners included: 4

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialities so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

FOOD IN JAPAN
The Japanese daily diet contains gluten (ie. in flavourings such as soy sauce) and seafood (dashi, or fish stock, is the basis of most dishes, even vegetable ones), so we highly recommend that vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs do their own online research before travelling about some of the options that might be available to them. While our leaders will assist you whenever they can, there may be some included meals that are fixed in advance and not flexible, such as those included at ryokans, and cannot be modified for different diets. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, still your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.

Food and drink are such a high part of Japanese culture. Here are some links to get your tastebuds tingling:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/japan-convenience-store-food/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/traditional-tokyo-alleyways-locals-guide/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan/
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/vegetarian-vegan-travel-japan/

All meals on this trip (included or optional) are primarily based around Japanese food, including breakfast. We endeavour to experience all styles of food but rice, fish, noodles and soy-based foods are regularly included. Western-style food can be challenging to come by, particularly in the rural areas and small cities. We make regular stops at convenience stores where you can usually purchase a limited amount of seasonal fruit (apple, banana, etc.) or bread-based foods. Please inform your booking agent at the time of booking if you have any specific dietary requirements, as adjusting the menu on an ad hoc basis is very difficult for our food providers given the lack of Western-style food options they have available to them.

Climate & seasonal information

PEAK TRAVEL TIMES
Please be aware that while travelling during major national holidays (late Apr to early May) and peak seasons in Japan (Apr-May/Sep–Oct) are fascinating and exciting times to travel, there are also some downsides. There will be huge crowds at most tourist attractions and on all public transport. It's common for there to be difficulties in securing train tickets at our usual preferred times, hotels become overbooked, traffic jams and changes to the itinerary without prior notice can be necessary. If you decide to travel during peak periods come with a sense of adventure and flexibility and we are sure that your experience will still be rewarding and memorable.

Typhoons and tropical storms in Japan occur the most from July to October, especially in August and September. Typhoons usually bring high winds and heavy rain, but the worst effects usually pass in 3 to 4 days, often bringing clear weather after it has passed. The most serious typhoons usually mean we will have to slightly modify our itinerary but this is looked at on a departure by departure basis.

Please note that the seasonal climate of Japan means that this trip may, for some people, feel more difficult during the hotter/more humid Summer months (July/August/September). If you are travelling in the Spring or Autumn the weather is milder, however it can sometimes be cool and wet. Please ensure that you pack and dress appropriately.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist, or visit us at www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local operator on the number below:

+81 50 5532 4713

Intrepid local operator: Available for phone call on +81 50 5809 5404

Accommodations

All accommodation at traditional Japanese Ryoken has shared bathroom facilities.

RYOKANS & MINSHUKUS
Japanese-style accommodation - ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation - this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Accommodation in Japan can be difficult to secure at short notice. If you are travelling in Japan before or after your trip, we recommend booking accommodation at least 1 month in advance of travel, especially in high season (March to May, September to November).

Transportation

While there are occasions when we use local public transport such as trains, buses or taxis to cover long distances or attend non-cycling activities, we predominantly use the bicycle as our main form of transport. On most of our trips we also have a support vehicle as secondary transport for travelling longer distances, avoiding hazardous areas to cycle, as a backup should we have any incidents and of course as an option for those that would prefer not to cycle for an hour or a day. In most regions, the support vehicle will be a minivan, but may range in size up to a full-sized coach or overland vehicle. Your main piece of luggage is transported in the support vehicle. Our bikes do not have panniers or bags on them, so we recommend a small backpack or a cycling jersey with rear pockets to carry any essentials you’ll need with you.

BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE

Please note that due to operational restrictions clients are unable to bring their own bikes on this trip.

Bike bag/box restrictions on Trains

From May 2020 there will be size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage over 160-250cm may require an additional 1000 JPY oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all.

Please note a Japan Rail Pass is not incuded as part of this trip. All train sections indicated as included on the itinerary are prebooked and prepaid as a group and cannot be used individually.

INCLUDED BIKES

We use Giant Escape RX3 bikes on our Cycle Japan trip - it is an aluminium frame hybrid style bikes with 27 gears, rigid fork, rim brakes and flat bars and 28mm tyres.

For full specs and geometry please see http://www.giant.co.jp/giant16/bike_datail.php?p_id=00000051#specifications

An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.

INCLUDED OR HIRE BIKES: CONDITIONS OF USE
You must not mistreat the bicycle and must return it in the same condition as when you received it (excepting ordinary wear and tear). You should immediately inform the supplier in the case of breakdown or loss. The provider is entitled to charge for any damage caused to the bicycle during the period of hire. You must also make sure that the bicycle is secured when not in use. If the equipment is lost or stolen you may be liable for the replacement value of the bicycle. The bicycle remains the property of the supplier and you may not sell, rent out or part possession with the bicycle. You must not use the bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

SUPPORT VEHICLE

While we always aim to ride to our next accommodation, outside of the main cities a support vehicle will also be with you at all times. Please note that the maximum number of cyclists we can fit in the support vehicle is 4. The support vehicle is not with us in Kyoto and Tokyo.