2019 Nov 3-10 🍁
2020 Nov 3-10 🍁
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🍁 Fall Colors
⭐ Guaranteed Trip
⛰⛰⛰⛰
Level 4
60-150km/day
1,000-3,000m gain/day
See FAQ for Route Levels
Traditional Ryokan Hotel
Single Base Location
Learn more about the ryokan experience
North Alps
Mt Akagi
Mt Haruna
Gunma Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture
Ikaho Onsen Town
$4,500 USD
+ $300 USD Single Supplement
Unforgettable Cycling Through Japan’s countryside
This tour is specifically designed to show off the best road cycling routes of Japan’s North Alps from one central location. Unpack your bags and set off on a week of adventures covering the amazing hills, mountains, lakes, and shrines of this region… all while building excellent base miles and conquering spectacular climbs! Climb to the top of ancient volcanoes, ride around hidden lakes, and pace through valleys on undiscovered roads in Japan’s North Alps.
Take your training to the next level
For cyclists or triathletes training for race season, this is a week that you won’t want to miss! Join us as we ride on roads rarely visited by cars, explore unforgettable landscapes, and experience incredible scenery around every switchback. Additionally, your BTJ support team will be here to help you navigate and understand Japan’s traditions, from ryokans to kaiseki meals, from hot spring onsens to sacred temples. We can’t wait to share these unbelievable experiences, on and off the bike, with you this fall!
Itinerary
Day 1 – Satoyama & Ashikaga Temples
A big welcome as we all meet at Ashikaga station! Get our wheels on the road quickly with a shakedown ride through the foothills of the North Alps in beautiful Satoyama (Japanese countryside). Take in the surrounding area with views of all of the climbs in store for the week to come. Enjoy a tasty lunch stop at Ashikaga’s temple. After, toss some lucky coins in the water, and make a wish for a safe and unforgettable week ahead. Then, we’ll ride back to the Ryokan to settle in for the night. A delicious dinner and a soak in the hot springs will get us ready for the big day tomorrow!
Stats: 32km & 400m gain
Day 2 – Endless Zen Loop
Today is our biggest elevation gain and distance on this trip (don’t worry, we will offer additional miles for those looking to hit 100 miles). We begin with six moderate mountain passes. Save some energy for our final ascent to over 1,200m above sea at the Kasuo Pass. Once we are over the pass, enjoy a well-deserved descent to the Watarase River valley and new views of all of the mountains to come. When we reach the valley, a ripping final 50km awaits at an average of -2% for some great pace-lining and short rollers to get to our home base. A delicious dinner awaits and a soak in the healing waters of the onsen hot springs will make for the perfect night’s sleep.
Stats: 150km & 3,100m gain
Day 3 – Secret Temples & Kanahara Pass
Today’s ride consists of three moderate passes, each gaining about 300m. The first will take us past the tranquil hidden Lake Ume. The second to the Kanahara Pass with its beautiful exposed views on the descent. The last pass will take us up to the Saishoji Temple buried deep in the side of the mountain. A day full of exploration and wonder as we step back in time to explore the wonders of the Japanese countryside.
Stats: 82km & 1,300m gain
Day 4 – The Red Fortress Mountain, Akagi
You will see it from the day you arrive: the red fortress Mt Akagi dominates the skies of the Tone valley. Today, we will climb the hidden back road on the east side up its 100 switchbacks to the top of the volcano’s caldera. Atop, we’ll be rewarded with views of the caldera lake, floating shrine, and delicious local lunch. We will take a victory lap around the lake before climbing out of the caldera. Breeze through an unforgettable descent down the massive mountainside and take in the beautiful nature around you. Small rollers and a general downhill road takes us home, topping off the first half of our trip.
Stats: 110km & 2,200m gain
Day 5 – Recovery Day
A new take on a few familiar roads while also exploring some hidden spots, this loop gives us a chance to take it easy and still see some amazing sights that few tourists experience. Sleep in and spin easy with these gently sloping valley roads and river paths. Give your legs some rest to prepare for the last three days of epic rides.
Stats: 50km & 500m gain
Day 6 – Hidden Backroads
Today, we’ll ride over another large pass at over 1,200m high, but first, we’ll roll over two moderate passes on quiet mountain roads that this area is so famous for. Breath deep and dive into the massive pine forests as you climb to the summit. Another great descent to the Watarase River leaves us with a beautiful and quick 50km steady ride home to Ashikaga.
Stats: 90km & 2,300m gain
Day 7 Mt Haruna and Ikaho Onsen
On our final big ride day, we head out to traverse the side of Mt Akagi. With views across the massive Tone Valley, Mt Haruna stands before us with its towering jagged peaks. Ride along the side of the mountain and take a quick turn to begin the famous Mt Haruna Hill Climb Course, a spirited race that is famous in the local cycling community. This is a climber’s dream: the hill begin with steady low grades that get slightly steeper every kilometer or two. It’s steady but unrelenting, and the hill’s final pitches top out at 14%. Catch your breath quickly at the top of the climb before continuing towards the caldera. We recommend taking a lap around the lake to enjoy the 360 degree views. We’ll leave the caldera from the east side before descending to the onsen town of Ikaho. Enjoy a dip in the bath, a delicious dinner, and a walk around town as the sun begins to set.
Stats: 105km & 2,000m gain
Day 8 – Country Roads Take Me Home
Our last day together, we will hit the best roads of the area one last time, including a final climb to the top of Mt Kanayama and its observation deck to see all of the mountains you have explored on this trip. We’ll enjoy a final lunch at the temple together before heading off to the station. Til the next cycling adventure!
Stats: 42km & 800m gain
Brian
Rob and Michael, I was just looking back over my photos of the Japan tour last year, great memories! Amazing riding, food and culture!! I can’t wait to go back! You guys made it so easy too! I will be booking again, and hopefully have a few friends on board as well. Thanks again for making the trip so amazing! [The Japanese Alps 2017]
Rhonda
My husband and I have just returned from a most wonderful bike trip with Bike Tour Japan guides, Rob, Michele and Michael. We were fortunate to be there when the maples and their red, golds and oranges were on fire with color. Just beautiful!! We visited hidden magical shrines tucked away in the forest. After interesting and sometimes challenging rides we soaked in fabulous hot spring-fed baths and tucked ourselves into cozy futon beds on tatami mats in the lovely ryokans. Meals were a real adventure too as we sampled every imaginable and artistically displayed culinary delight the Japanese are famous for. We just so appreciate how professional and fun our guides were. We had a blast, lots of laughs and great camaraderie. We highly recommend this trip. [Valleys and Volcanoes 2018]
Caroline
We had a very amazing bike vacation in the Northern Alps of Japan. The scenery, Ryokans, Onsen were very beautiful and enjoyable. Both Rob and Michael did an excellent job finding these nice places to stay after great riding every day. It was an excellent cultural, culinary trip thanks to two amazing people. Thank you Rob and Michael. [Tour of the North Alps 2017]
Anne
Bike Tour Japan was OUTSTANDING. The riding was incredible with beautiful Fall colors, quiet back roads and challenging climbs. The countryside is gorgeous and Rob knows how to end every day at the perfect ryokan with onsen baths and delicious food! Can’t wait to do another tour in 2018! [Tour of the North Alps 2017]
Jonathan
BikeTourJapan is an incredible tour company. Cycling is my passion and I travel all over the world to ride. Rob made Japan an amazing experience. His extensive knowledge of the local routes through the area made it so memorable. Rob’s key strength is the his Japanese fluency yet being an American, understanding of his client’s needs. Do not hesitate booking with BikeTourJapan! [Ashikaga Training Camp]
Meng
The biking-ryokan-onsen combination is fantastic, loved it! Both you guys were great company, and we enjoyed the cultural exchange dinner conversations. Learnt a lot more about Japan in this short trip than from other Jap holidays. The planning and organisation were professional, your eloquence with the language was impressive, and our bikes were a joy to ride. Hope to come again on another ride with BTJ in future! [Bespoke Tour 2018]
Cory
Bike Tour Japan was truly an epic adventure. I’m beyond grateful for the experience and eternally thankful to Rob and Michael for organizing and leading such an amazing trip. The roads, valleys, mountains, towns, cities, country sides, and people of Japan are all so wonderful. And the food! So much great food! Oh and the convenience stores are awesome! You’ve never been to a good convenience store until you’ve been to Japan. You could live out of a Lawson or 7-Eleven!
If you have the chance to go, you better not miss out. I can’t wait to go back again someday soon. [The Japanese Alps 2017]
Jordan
Bike Tour Japan was a fantastic experience for me and the group I rode with. Riding in Japan is incredible, and it’s mountains are gorgeous but what really sets my trip aside from something I could have done myself was the excellent route selection, local knowledge, and help navigating traditional japanese culture along the way.
All the Japanese countryside is gorgeous but not all of it is great for bike riding. Thanks to Rob’s experience from living and riding here we always had excellent routes planned, with the best places to stop and take pictures known, the best mid ride lunch stops.
Michaels experience living in Japan immersing himself in Japanese culture was also hugely helpful during our trip. He was hugely helpful being fluent in Japanese at all our locations , and I would urge anyone interested to talk to him about Japanese culture.
If you want to have great supported rides, in the gorgeous Japanese countryside guided by two great people, and enjoy some Japanese culture and the company and great knowledge of the area from two people have spent significant time there and lived in the country at a price far below what any competitor offers bike tour japan is for you. [The Japanese Alps 2017]
Karl
The tour and a vacation of a lifetime. Robert and company were the perfect hosts and organizers taking us to places and situations in the Japanese culture we would never been able to access ourselves. Riding the Japanese Alps at peak fall colors dazzled my retinas and burned into my brain an experience I will never forget. [Tour of the North Alps 2017]
Cheryl and John
John and I loved our time with Bike Tour Japan. The guides, Rob, Michelle, and Michael were fun, full of information, history,geology and talents. They treated us to rides in beautiful cedar forests, vistas high above the countryside, and incredible food. Japan has many treasures in their culture and graciousness. Our trip couldn’t have been better. We went in December and it was delightful. dress warmly and you will love it. The ryokans were extraordinary and their breakfasts and dinners elaborate and bountiful. We hope to go again and would highly recommend this guide group. We have been on many bike trips and this scores the highest. Cheryl and John [Valleys and Volcanoes 2018]
Raaj
Had an amazing 5 day bike trip with Rob and Michelle. Would highly recommend for bikers of all levels. [Bespoke Tour 2018]
Philip
Amazing trip through the North Alps, which feel like a mix of Congo, Alps and Hawaiian volcanoes. We only saw a handful of Westerners the entire week and ate beautiful Japanese meals, soaked in amazing Onsen each night and stayed in great Ryokans throughout. The rides were challenging and amazing. From steep climbs up the highest peaks to incredible 20-mile runs down through huge valleys. These guys put together a perfect journey that was challenging and also provided lots of options for beautiful hiking. We climbed the highest volcano in Japan and even got in a round of golf on a rainy day! [Bespoke Tour 2018]
Jayjay
We spent a fantastic weekend with our friends Rob and Michelle riding around the beautiful hills of Gunma this November. We both needed a break from working life in Tokyo and our trip with Bike Tour Japan proved to be a very welcome one.
Their planning of the trip was meticulous – Rob told me before how he enjoys the challenge of planning the perfect trip and now I really believe him! They had custom bikes ready for us, took care of planning all our routes, had a number of delicious meal options each day (both Japanese and alternatives), and gave us options each day so we could choose our adventure based on how we felt in the moment.
All of their planning allowed us to enjoy two days of carefree riding, without any of the stress we would have experienced had we attempted the trip by ourselves. In particular, they even organised for a bike with an detachable electric motor for my girlfriend who could use it on steeper climbs (but didn’t need to in the end as she kicked all our butts without it!)
We are both novice riders and for anyone like ourselves thinking of going on a trip, I can’t recommend Bike Tour Japan enough. We enjoyed it so much that we are both buying our first road bikes and dreaming of our next trips around Japan. Thank you Rob and Michelle for everything! [Bespoke Tour 2018]
James & Tallulah
Fast, professional, thorough and completely bespoke. Additionally, a thorough knowledge of bike touring in Japan coupled with native English language abilities make for a really easy group to deal with. Recommend 
[Tour of the North Alps 2016]
James
BikeTourJapan brought my dream vacation into reality. Amazing rides matched with unforgettable scenery, endless photo opportunities. I got to experience beautiful countryside, amazing hot spring towns, friendly folks, great food, all one could ask for, and to be on a bike, the icing on the cake…..cant wait for my next trip, on a bike…..in Japan, thanks Robert !!!! [The Japanese Alps 2016] & [Bespoke Tour 2018]
Included
- Fully-serviced, quality road bike, plus helmet and accessories
- All accommodations: traditional Japanese Ryokan Hotels
- Full meals: breakfasts, bento lunches, and dinners
- Snacks and beverages between meals. We'll have snacks/beverages both familiar and new!
- Nutritional support before, during, and after each ride
- All gratuities at hotels, onsens, and restaurants
- Access to relaxing natural hot spring baths (onsens) each day. (Please note: private onsens are booked separately; if interested, inquire in advance)
- Expert guides, with extensive cycling and local knowledge, who will go above and beyond to cater to your every need
- SAG Wagon to support a variety of route options
- Entry fees to museums, shrines, historic sites, parks, and other attractions
- Baggage transfers and porterage from trip pick up to drop-off
- Ability to purchase gifts, local snacks, local sake, etc along the way and put them in the van at any time
- Gratuities for BikeTourJapan guides (learn why we don't ask for tips!)
Not Included
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the tour.
- Pre- and post-tour planning (please inquire if you would like assistance in planning your travels in Japan outside of the tour)