Nikko + Ashikaga + Ikaho Rindo Adventure || 10 Days | 9 Nights
Availability
Spring Dates:
April 1-June 15
Fall Dates:
September 1-November 30
Can start on any day
Regions
Nikko, Kiryu & Ashikaga, Ikaho
Our Nikko + Ashikaga + Ikaho Rindō Adventure is an epic 10 day journey across three mountain distinct regions: the Mae-Nikko Highlands, the Ashikaga & Kiryu Alps, and Mt. Haruna. Spend three nights in each area, discovering remote roads, new landscapes, and rewarding challenges along the way.
Begin in Nikko at a hotel conveniently located near the center of town, and spend your first days exploring the forests and mountain roads of the Mae-Nikko Highlands and Nikko National Park. From there, transfer to a small traditional ryokan on the outskirts of Ashikaga and ride through the secluded hills and rindō forest roads of our home region. Continue across the wide Tone River Valley to your final base in Ikaho – an onsen town perched on the slopes of Mt. Haruna, known for its distinctive iron-rich hot spring waters that flow through the center of town.
This self-guided tour is a great fit for riders who:
- Prefer simple, no-frills accommodations
- Want to stay in multiple locations across a variety of regions
- Are independent, strong cyclists comfortable with long days in the saddle and challenging rides
This self-guided tour is not a good fit for riders who:
- Prefer premium accommodations
- Prefer Japanese traditional-style accommodations
- Don’t feel confident they can ride 80-90km on longer transfer days
Itinerary
Day 1 Overview
Your Rindō Bike Tour Japan support staff will meet you at Tobu Nikko Station on the first day of your tour. After introductions, bike fits, and a brief introduction to your ryokan, head out on an easy, shakedown ride and get a taste of what this region has to offer! As with all of our self-guided tours, you’ll have a variety of route options each day, allowing you to match your ride to your energy level and interests. Take on a bigger challenge, explore a new area, or simply follow our recommended route and enjoy the views.
Day 2 Overview
On Day 2, choose how much of a challenge you want and head deeper into the forests and mountains surrounding Nikko on one of several loop options. Nikko is known for its rich history and its ties to Tokugawa Ieyasu – the shogunate that unified Japan under one rule. As you ride, take in the towering cedar forests, explore ancient shrines and moss-covered statues, and get a sense of Japan’s enduring past.
Day 3 Overview
For your final day in Nikko, choose one of the loops you haven’t explored yet and set out for another beautiful day riding through the Mae-Nikko Highlands and Nikko National Park.
Day 4 Overview
Leave your luggage in the lobby and start your long transfer toward your next accommodation in the outskirts of Ashikaga. Nikko and Ashikaga are separated by a broad range of low mountains, and the Watarase River Valley provides a scenic and direct cycling route between them. Follow the gentle descent along the valley for a more relaxed ride, or, for those seeking a greater challenge, climb over remote forest passes and rindō roads before reaching your traditional ryokan.
Day 5 Overview
For the next two days, dive deeper into the remote countryside on one of our many loop route options. With over 40 routes to choose from, you can spend long days in the saddle without worrying about overlap.
Day 6 Overview
Head out for one last ride through the Ashikaga & Kiryu Alps and explore an area you haven’t yet experienced. If you’ve spent most of your time on secluded rindō forest roads, today is a great chance to slow things down and visit shrines and temples around Ashikaga or enjoy lunch at one of our recommended spots in Kiryu. Or, if you still have an iconic forest climb on your list, this is the perfect day to head back into nature.
Day 7 Overview
Leave your luggage in the lobby and wave goodbye to the Ashikaga - Kiryu region. Today you’ll cross the large, flat Tone Valley as you make your way to Ikaho Onsen Town!
Day 8 Overview
Depending on how your legs feel, choose from several loop options and take on the slopes of Mt. Haruna. As Ikaho is located half-way up the mountain’s eastern side, routes in this area involve more climbing than others, but the views are well worth the effort. If you’re feeling tired, this is also a great day to rest and explore the streets and alleys of this tiny, old-fashioned hot springs resort town instead.
Day 9 Overview
For your final full day of riding, take on one last challenge as you explore the secluded rindō forest roads around Mt. Haruna. For an extra epic adventure, strong riders can tackle the steep, remote climbs between Haruna and Kusatsu.
Day 10 Overview
On your final day, how much you want to ride is up to you. Enjoy a relaxed morning at the hotel or head out for one last ride through the countryside. Our self-guided support team will shuttle you to Shibukawa Station at your preferred time (up to 3:00 pm). From there it’s a short local transfer to Takasaki Station where you can take a 1-hr bullet train ride back to Tokyo. Mata-ne!
Nikko + Ashikaga + Ikaho Rindo Adventure Map
A FEW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
