NIKKO NORTH ALPS TOUR: HISTORICAL
TOWNS AND HOT-SPRING ONSENS

Your BTJ guides will be ready to meet you at the exit of Tobu-Nikko Station. After introductions and bike fits, we are off into the hidden forest roads behind Nikko Historical City. Enjoy gentle slopes and traditional rice fields with dramatic mountains in the background. Then, roll into a lovely Japanese lunch before putting on your walking shoes to spend the afternoon exploring the Toshogu Shrine World Heritage Area. From here walk across the street to our hidden ryokan perched atop a hill overlooking town. When you’re ready, meet up with our guides for a beautiful traditional dinner and our first toast to a great week ahead!

Today, we will take our first journey into the heart of the Japanese countryside. Begin by riding deeper into the mountains on quiet roads up to a secluded pass far off the beaten path. Then dive into secluded forests to the neighboring valley to visit the Furumine Shrine, famous for its traditional Tengu Masks. After exploring the shrine we will head to a lunch of fresh regional food before wandering through nearby local mountain villages as we make our way back to the ryokan for another amazing evening.

Today we take on our first big climb of the trip up the Irohazaka Alphabet Road to the Oku-Nikko National Park. Though it’s a decent amount of gain, the slopes average around 5-6% and the views from the observation deck are worth the big effort! Once atop the pass, we will go through the tunnel to the base of Lake Chuzenji, Japan’s largest alpine lake at over 1,200m above sea. Your rides will offer an optional climb as an add-on for any riders who want more time on the bike. Then, enjoy a wonderful lunch by the lake take before rolling up to the highlands of Yumoto Hot Spring Town.

Today you can choose your adventure. Nikko National Park is full of wonderful cycling, hiking, and forest bathing opportunities and we will have a selection ready for a great day basking in beautiful nature. Choose to join the group for a gorgeous ride on the Nikko Eco Road/Hangetsu Observatory Loop. Or, enjoy one of our favorite hikes: the Senjougahara Waterfall Loop. For for those looking to push it up the local giant, climb to the peak of Mt Nantai with a summit of more than 2,400m!

Nikko Eco Road/Hangetsu Observatory Loop Ride (60km, 900m)

Senjogahara Waterfall Loop Hike (24km, 300m)

Mt Nantai Summit Hike (9km, 1,200m)

Our longest distance day, today you reap all of the rewards of your hard work climbing as we dive back down from the Oku-Nikko highlands and head south along the mighty Watarase River Valley. Scenic foliage, small towns, and delicious local eats await as we cross from Tochigi Prefecture into Gunma Prefecture. From here we turn west and have our last climb of the day as we head up the first third of Mt Akagi, the Red Fortress Volcano for our mountainside retreat at Akagi Onsen.

Take to the skies one last time as we finish the 100 switchback turns to the top of the mighty volcano Mt Akagi-san. Your efforts will be rewarded with sweeping views of its two caldera lakes. Then, dive into the center of Akagi’s central lake, adorned with a mystical shrine. After offering a prayer, we will fly down the main road to lunch at a famous local soba shop. From here we will cross the Watarase River and take to the nearby town of Kiryu following the river north out from town to our riverside ryokan for the evening.

After 6 days of riding and exploring, our last full day together will be an incredible mix of hidden shrines, forest-baths, and traditional scenery. The main route will take us on a small climb in the morning over the Akayuki-san Pass to the hidden Nagutsaitsukushima Shrine, a seldom seen treasure of the area. From here, we will visit Ashikaga and Kiryu. In Ashikaga the Gakko, the oldest school in Japan, and in Kiryu, visit silk mills rich in silk production history.

On our final day, we will head out one last time by bike for a flat/downhill ride through the country back along the Watarase River towards Kiryu. Roll down the river path and connect to the town of Ota where our last climb to the central park of Mt Kanayama gives views of all the distance we have covered throughout this week-long journey. Enjoy lunch and coffee in Ota before we say farewell until the next time!