2020 Tour Dates
2021 Tour Dates
Jul 4-11
Sept 18-25 ⭐🍁
–
🍁 Fall Colors
⭐ Guaranteed Trip
🍱 Almost Full!
Accommodations
Premium Ryokan Hotels + Futon Japanese Beds + Public Hot-Spring Onsen Bath
Learn more about the ryokan experience
Regions
Matsumoto
North & West Alps
Central Range
Highest Road in Japan
Takasaki
Ashikaga
Mt Akagi
Mt Haruna
Price
$5,600 USD
+ $1,000 USD Single Supplement
+ $1,000 USD E-Bike Rental
The Tour of the Japanese Alps is our most challenging and ambitious cycling adventure: a week-long odyssey across the spectacular mountains of central Japan. These roads will push you to your limits and take you to the most breathtaking views that this country can offer.
Take on grueling climbs, including Japan’s highest paved road. Then, relax and delve into its ancient traditions. Along our journey, find serenity and peace in authentic ryokans, all equipped with beautiful hot-spring baths. Be prepared to work hard and spend long days in the saddle, while creating lasting memories with the nature, food, traditions, and people of the Japanese countryside.
Ready for this epic adventure? Please a provide a link to your strava/mapmyride/etc account or describe the most challenging ride you’ve completed in the past 3 months, including distance, elevation gain, and time. We request this information for all of our Level 4-5 tours to confirm that the trip will be a great fit for your current riding ability.
Set up a time to connect with us over the phone or book your spot on tour now!
Itinerary
Day 1 (50km | 400m) Shake Down in Matsumoto
Welcome to Japan! We begin with introductions and a light lunch at a local restaurant. Then, we’ll set off on a shake-out ride through beautiful and flat country roads. Begin to get a feel for the epicenter of Japan’s road cycling scene. Gaze up at the surrounding mountains we will climb in the coming days. After our ride, we will return to our ryokan to feast on a beautiful Japanese meal. Fill up your tank for many more inspiring rides to come.
Day 2 (130m | 3200m) Mt Norikura, The Highest Road in Japan
Kick off our first full day with a bang: by taking on the highest road Japan. We’ll begin riding at sunrise and will climb for 60km (40mi) to the summit of the West Alps! This is the largest climb in the country, so breathe deeply as we take to the skies for unparalleled views and colors. Volcanic rocks, incredible flora, floating clouds–it’s truly an unforgettable canvas. Lunch awaits at the summit with delicious food. Then, we’ll ride 60km of beautiful downhill road, making for one of the most epic descents of all time. Your tired legs will love the beautiful outdoor hot springs and freshly-prepared meal at our ryokan tonight. We recommend a cool-down stroll to the famous Matsumoto Castle after dinner.
Day 3 (105km | 3100m) The Central Highlands, Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara Highlands
Today, we ride south of the Japanese Alps to the Kirigamine (tr: Misty Highlands) on tranquil roads along the central mountains of Matsumoto. An initial climb takes us high up through thickets of bamboo forests, which eventually become the high grasslands of the Kirigamine. Then, we head down to the famous ski town and mountaintop lake of Tateshina. Finally, we will descend into the Saku valley before climbing the east side of the Utsukushigahara (tr: Beautiful Highlands). You will find that each corner of this wild and secluded road offers a new incredible view of Mt Norikura and the Matsumoto Valley, where we are staying for the night. To cap off the day, an onsen and a beautiful meal await atop the Utsukushigahara.
Day 4 (150km | 2800m) Ride Across Japan
We will set off on an epic journey across Japan today! Starting from the Utsukushigahara, wave goodbye to the western mountains, and head east towards the Saku valley. A long ride through rural Japan takes us to our second climb of the day: the hidden gem of Taguchi Pass. A long steady climb at around 3-5% grades, this pass meanders through the best of Japan’s countryside. The road will take us through a tunnel before bringing us to our home for the evening in the city of Takasaki. A night out is in order after three long days of intense cycling. This is what cycling in the Japanese Alps is all about! Relax, feast, and sleep in, because tomorrow is our recovery day.
Day 5 (70km | 400m) Recovery Spin on the Tone River
Wake up slow–it’s our rest day! Take a morning dip in the hot spring before we head out on an amazing recovery spin to our final home in the North Alps in Ashikaga. Today, we will take the Tone River path, free of cars and full of views of the North Alps ahead. Relax your legs, stop for photos, and enjoy the tailwinds that the Tone Valley creates as we head to a fantastic local sushi lunch on the river. After lunch, we will head to our short climb up Mt Kanayama (80m gain). Explore ancient ruins and take in fantastic views of Japan’s North Alps. Just 10km separate us from our hotel, hot-spring bath, and delicious dinner. Rest up and get ready for the final three days!
Day 6 (115km | 2800m) Volcanoes of Gunma
Today, we’ll ride up two most prominent Volcanoes in the Tone Valley: Mt Akagi (tr: The Red Fortress) and Mt Haruna (tr: Harvest Mountain). These are unforgettable climbs on Gunma’s finest roads, both crowned with beautiful caldera lakes. Akagi and Haruna are famous training grounds within the Japanese cycling community, and riders from all over the country come to experience these storied volcano climbs. Enjoy a beautiful descent into Ikaho Onsen Town for a celebratory evening.
Day 7 (155km | 320m) Lake Chuzenji and the Watarase Valley
Our last full day is a true century adventure. Like all good adventure rides, this one will both challenge and reward us. A string of secluded mountain passes grow steadily, taking us to a magical land deep in the heart of the North Alps. We’ll arrive at the base of the famous Irohazaka Road (tr: Alphabet Road). Each switchback is named for a letter in the Japanese Alphabet. If you are up for a challenge, climb and learn Japanese at the same time! We’ll take a break to enjoy the largest alpine lake in Japan, Lake Chuzenji. The challenge does not stop there, as we ascend another 300m to the top of Mt Hangetsu. From the observatory, we can see the true vastness and wilderness of the Japanese North Alps.
Your hard work is rewarded as we return to Lake Chuzenji and up our final stretch to the secluded onsen town of Yumoto Onsen. For those with more desire to climb, we’ll provide an optional out and back to the highest paved pass in this area: over 1,800m.
Day 8 (32km | 240m or 70km | 1500m) Japanese Alps: Sayonara!
Our last day starts off with a number of simple pleasures. Take your time enjoying a pre-breakfast soak in the hot springs and a walk around the wooden walkways by the lake. After breakfast, we will begin our final ride into Nikko Station with two options: an all flat/downhill 32km of amazing National Park scenery or a 70km, 1,500m ride around the backside of Mt Nantai and over the Kirifurikogen (tr: Misty hillside). Both take us into Nikko Station for our final lunch together. Say Sayonara to the Japanese Alps and to your cycling compatriots. Til next time!
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]
Melanie and David
We have been on many cycling tours around the world and we can honestly say that this tour has been far more outstanding than any other tour we have been on in the past. Our tour guide was without question one of the most helpful, professional & friendly person one could ever meet !!!!! We highly recommend Bike Tour Japan! [Bespoke Tour 2019]
Steve
I’ve been on many great cycling vacations, but my experience with Bike Tour Japan was easily the best of all of them. Rob and Michael were incredible hosts: hugely knowledgeable about the area, top-notch hospitality, and best of all, really fun to be around. The bike routes were extraordinary; each and every day on the Ashikaga training camp felt as picturesque as a National Geographic documentary, and I rode a wonderful mixture of challenging mountains, valleys, and descents. [Ashikaga Training Camp 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Sohail
Rob has built a cycling adventure which is truly authentic; riding on quiet, scenic roadways, challenging climbs, bountiful vistas and staying at unique country ryokans. Really gives you a feel for the pulse of the region. The support is great, the attention to detail is superb, and most of all his enthusiasm and joy comes through in every step. [Bespoke Tour 2019]
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]
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]
Raaj
Had an amazing 5 day bike trip with Rob and Michelle. Would highly recommend for bikers of all levels. [Bespoke Tour 2018]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Leila
For me, when thinking about a bike trip, there are five features that contribute to how memorable and enjoyable the trip was: the routes, the hotels, the food, the bikes, and the guide. BTJ nailed each of these right on the head. [Bespoke Tour 2019]
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]
Japanese Alps Map
Included
- Fully-serviced road bike or hybrid bike, with helmet and accessories. Please inquire in advance if you would like an e-bike (Electric Bike Rental: $550 USD)
- Two BTJ Expert Guides, who will be your cultural ambassadors and road navigators during your cycling experience.
- All accommodations: traditional Japanese Ryokan Hotels.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and all snacks/hydration throughout the tour. - Luggage delivery.
- Support and gear vehicle.
Not Included
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the tour
- Meals not listed above
- Alcoholic beverages
