Cycle Japan Tours

The extraordinary contrasts of modern Japan are to be found throughout this archipelago but most particularly in Hokkaido. My introduction to Japan 30 years ago was this very island and those early years exploring Hokkaido have left an indelible impression of this wild northern island.

Hokkaido is a place where the power of an ancient and pervasive culture lays like a patch work quilt over an almost sub arctic wild land.

The result is a superb mix of culture and wilderness. Here you will find architecture and structure that reflects the history and refinement of ancient Japan. Where inner spaces comply with the Japanese aesthetic of art and beauty. And of course, delicious and healthy food that can be found anywhere in Japan is abundant in the mountains and valleys of Hokkaido.

Liberally spaced throughout this wild island you will also find some of Japan’s most famous artisans and photographers, who have escaped north to build a life on the edge of the wilderness.

On this self guided tour, using our comprehensive guiding notes, you can visit many of these artisans, including “Takushinkan” the gallery of Japan’s most famous landscape photographer Shinzo Maeda. As well as Maeda San’s gallery you can visit other lesser known photo galleries, painters, wood workers, potters and glass blowers. There is also the chance to visit the Ainu textile museum in Asahikawa.

And the backdrop throughout is the superb alpine scenery of central Hokkaido, where mountains and volcanoes tower over the valleys.

Smooth wide roads curl over rolling hills amidst a rural tapestry of curated pastures. Here the vivid colours of the lavender fields are interspersed with vast fields of crops. Perfect black top beckons you on through this landscape as volcanoes, coastal villages, caldera lakes, world heritage wilderness and high peaks with the last of the winter snows (to August) provide a stunning backdrop. And throughout you stay in mixed accommodations, some traditional Japanese Inns, with great local food and of course, in most places, muscle relaxing natural hot spring baths.

Our 11 day “Wild Hokkaido Explorer”, takes you from the World Heritage of the Shiretoko Peninsula in the east; through the Caldera lakes district, to the wilds and heights of Japan’s greatest national park, “Daisetsusan”.

Highlights

• Stay in some Traditional Inns and eat delicious Japanese food.
• Cycle from 34km (21 m) to 101 km (63 m) per day.
• Cycle world heritage & national parks, past caldera lakes and climb Hokkaido's highest mt, Asahi Dake, 2290 m (7513 F).
• Smooth hot mix roads and low vehicle speeds.
• Pure journey by bike.
• Relax in inside and outside hot spring baths.

The route snakes through the spine of this traditional region, known for its expansive landscapes, rustic hot springs, mountains and lakes. Our 13-day tour will take you from the northernmost prefecture of Aomori, through the historical castle town of Hirosaki, with its leaf-viewing festival in autumn, and past Lake Towada, a huge crater lake surrounded by forests. You will be able to unwind in Nyuto Onsen’s milky mineral waters after a day in the saddle, and enjoy great local food such as kiritanpo (grilled rice on skewers), gyutan (beef tongue) and wanko soba (noodles served in numerous small bowls). The route is interspersed with historical towns including perfectly preserved Kakunodate and traditional Ouchi-juku. The tour will end at Nikko National Park, home to Toshogu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine, with the whole area well known for its autumn colors.

As part of “The Northern Collection”, our Tohoku tour is designed to follow on from our final guided Hokkaido tour, “Wild Hokkaido Explorer”. As autumn draws to a close in Hokkaido, we encourage you to chase the warmth and coloured foliage further south, by connecting to our Tohoku tour. Next spring, why not go the opposite direction, by starting with our Tohoku tour from the south and escaping up to the fresher climes of Hokkaido?

Anything is possible on our new Tohoku Tour!

Tohoku Highlights

• Travel the paths that the poet, Matsuo Basho, once trod; “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”.
• Cycle past caldera lakes, through national parks and around famous castle towns.
• Experience well-preserved, historical Edo-era towns.
• Enjoy a relaxing soak in numerous hot-spring baths.
• Explore uncrowded beauty spots and stunning mountain landscapes.
• Sample local delicacies and culinary delights.
• Wonder in World Heritage Nikko’s spectacular temples and shrines.

Hokkaido is a place where the power of an ancient and pervasive culture lays like a patch work quilt over an almost sub arctic wild land.

The result is a superb mix of culture and wilderness. Here you will find architecture and structure that reflects the history and refinement of ancient Japan. Where inner spaces comply with the Japanese aesthetic of art and beauty. And of course, delicious and healthy food that can be found anywhere in Japan is abundant in the mountains and valleys of Hokkaido.

Liberally spaced throughout this wild island you will also find some of Japan’s most famous artisans and photographers, who have escaped north to build a life on the edge of the wilderness.

On this self guided tour, using our comprehensive guiding notes, you can visit many of these artisans, including “Takushinkan” the gallery of Japan’s most famous landscape photographer Shinzo Maeda. As well as Maeda San’s gallery you can visit other lesser known photo galleries, painters, wood workers, potters and glass blowers. There is also the chance to visit the Ainu textile museum in Asahikawa.

And the backdrop throughout is the superb alpine scenery of central Hokkaido, where mountains and volcanoes tower over the valleys.