Scenic Cycling Routes: Iconic roads and breathtaking landscapes.
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Type
Road
Duration
10 Days & 9 Nights
Next Departure
23 Oct 2025
Status
Last place available
From
4.975 EUR
JAPAN ROAD BIKE TOUR
Explore Japan from the saddle on this carefully crafted road bike tour that takes you across some of the country’s most scenic and diverse landscapes. Designed for cyclists looking for an active adventure, this journey offers a dynamic mix of challenging routes, cultural highlights, and stunning natural settings. The tour begins on the island of Shikoku, where quiet country roads, impressive coastal bridges, and lush valleys offer the perfect setting for road biking. From there, continue to Kyushu, where smooth tarmac winds through open grasslands, forested mountains, and volcanic terrain. Ride up to the rim of Mount Aso’s caldera and take in the vast open views of one of Japan’s most iconic landscapes. This is more than a road bike tour, it’s a full experience of Japan’s traditions, history, and local life. Along the way, you’ll stop in castle towns, visit historic temples, and cycle through villages that reflect the slower rhythm of rural Japan. Each region brings its own character, from the architecture to the people you meet.
Highlights
Included
Excluded
- Tour Grade
Bikes available on request
Included and Optional Services
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Onomichi
ようこそ (Yokoso) – Welcome to Japan!
Welcome to Japan. After meeting your guide and receiving a clear overview of the upcoming days, the journey begins with time to explore Onomichi, a coastal town known for its hillside streets, small temples, and panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea. Visit the historic Onomichi Castle and enjoy the relaxed pace of this charming town. It’s a smooth start to your road bike tour, offering the first glimpse into Japan’s blend of tradition and culture.
Hotel Cycle
DAY 2
Onomichi to Innnoshima
Discover the sacred Oyamazumi Jinjya Shrine
Cycling Distance
29 km
Elevation Gain
+ 700 m
Hotel Innoshima
DAY 3
Innoshima to Matsuyama
Ride across Shikoku’s Island suspended Bridges.
Cycling Distance
109 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.500 m
CANDEO Hotel
Matsuyama
DAY 4
Matsuyama to Ozu
Conquer the majestic Ozu Castle
Leaving behind Matsuyama’s energy, today’s road biking stage takes you into quieter terrain. The route follows the Shigenobu River before climbing gently toward viewpoints overlooking the hills and coastal valleys. As you ride through the Kurita River valley, you’ll pass temples, gardens, and shrines that reflect the region’s cultural depth. The final stretch into Ōzu follows local backroads through neighborhoods with traditional wooden houses. Before reaching your hotel, you’ll spot the impressive Ōzu Castle by the Hijikawa River, a highlight of the town’s Edo-period heritage. It’s a day that blends active riding with local history, offering a different rhythm from the busier stages before.
Cycling Distance
76 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.400 m
Hotel Ohta
DAY 5
Ozu to Oita
Ridding along Shikoku’s Western Shores
Today’s ride follows the western edge of Shikoku along quiet roads, fishing villages, and open stretches of coastline. You’ll cycle past small harbors, old boats, and wooden houses that speak to a way of life deeply rooted in the sea. The road is smooth and rolling, ideal for road biking at a steady pace. This stage offers a glimpse into daily life in rural Japan, with wide views over the Seto Inland Sea and occasional stops for tea or local snacks. The day ends at the Misaki ferry terminal, where you’ll cross the channel to Ōita on the island of Kyushu, marking a new phase of the journey, both geographically and culturally.
Cycling Distance
80 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.200 m
Ferry to Oita
2h00
Hotel Nikki
Oita Oasis Tower
DAY 6
Oita to Kitsuki
Ride along the tranquil rice fields and explore the sacred Futagoji Temple
Your ride today begins with coastal roads around Beppu Bay, gradually leading into a more rural setting surrounded by rice fields and forested hills. As part of this road bike tour, the transition from city to countryside is one of the most enjoyable aspects, offering a slower pace and open space for uninterrupted cycling. Along the way, you’ll visit Futagoji Temple, set among trees and known for its peaceful atmosphere and twin pagodas. You’ll also pass Fuki-ji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest wooden structures. The day ends in Kitsuki, a town known for its preserved samurai district. Settle into a local inn or guesthouse and enjoy a relaxed evening in this quiet corner of Kyushu.
Cycling Distance
92 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.700 m
Matama Spa
San Sui Sou
DAY 7
Kitsuki to Yufuin-Cho
Temples, tranquil roads and Mount Yufu views
Leaving Kitsuki, today’s on Japan Road Bike Rour winds through quiet backroads, forested hills, and countryside villages. The ride is steady and scenic, offering a calm transition into the more mountainous interior of Kyushu. Along the way, you’ll pass small shrines and temples, including Tennen Temple and the historic Fuki-ji Temple, one of the oldest wooden temples in Japan. As you get closer to Yufuin, the landscape opens up with views of Mount Yufu. The town itself is known for its relaxed atmosphere, local shops, and hot springs. It’s a gentle end to the day, ideal for slowing down and enjoying the quieter side of rural Japan. Spend the evening at your ryokan or hotel, with time to unwind before the mountain stages ahead.
Cycling Distance
57 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.400 m
Yufuin Nanairo
No Kaze
DAY 8
Yufuin-Cho to Aso
Explore Aso-Kuju National Park, Kyushu’s Natural Wonderland
This is one of the most physically demanding and visually impressive stages of the tour. Leaving Yufuin, you’ll enter Aso-Kuju National Park, where the roads climb steadily through forests, valleys, and open ridgelines. The highlight is the ascent to Makinoto Pass at 1,300 meters, a steady but manageable climb with wide views over the Aso and Neko volcanic peaks. On the descent, you’ll pass the Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi, Japan’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, and continue toward the Aso caldera. The landscapes are dramatic, with grasslands and old lava fields shaping the horizon. You’ll finish the day in Aso, where local hot springs and a quiet evening provide welcome recovery after a rewarding ride.
Cycling Distance
89 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.900 m
Kyukamura Minami-Aso
DAY 9
Aso Ichiroon Route
Cycle Around Mount Aso’s Majestic Volcano and Vast Grasslands
Today’s loop takes you around the Aso caldera, one of the largest active volcanic regions in the world. It’s a classic road bike route, popular with local cyclists for its combination of quiet roads, smooth asphalt, and sweeping views. Expect changing scenery, from green plains to rocky terrain, and occasional short climbs as you circle the base of the volcano. Weather and conditions permitting, the ride includes the ascent to the crater rim at around 1,200 meters. The climb is steady and rewarding, offering panoramic views and a unique sense of place. The loop concludes with a long descent through Aso’s grasslands, a satisfying final ride before the tour winds down. It’s a fitting way to close out this road biking journey through Kyushu’s volcanic heart.
Cycling Distance
74 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1.600 m
Kyukamura Minami-Aso
DAY 10
Departure
This is it!
Your Japan Road Bike Tour comes to a close today. After nine days of cycling through coastlines, castle towns, rice terraces, and volcanic landscapes, it’s time to reflect on the journey. From the quiet backroads of Shikoku to the wide-open caldera of Aso, each stage offered a different perspective on Japan’s geography, culture, and rhythm of life. Depending on your departure plans, you may have time for a final walk through town or a relaxed breakfast before your transfer. This final day is about closing the loop, resting the legs, sharing stories with fellow riders, and carrying home the experience of riding through Japan.