Wakayama castle in the background with a grey sky and the vibrant fall colors of orange and red starting to show in the midst of the trees with a smaller building.

Kansai 4 nights/ 3 cycling days

Enjoy a short tour of the best of Kansai area including Nara, Kyoto and Osaka. Stay for four nights and cycle for three days. This tour will take you ~150km. Between the historical centers you’ll discover the beautiful countryside of the area. Cycling along river paths, through local neighborhoods and to iconic sightseeing locations along the way including some special hidden gems.

Day 0 -Arrive at Kashiwara

Sites and Delights

Arrive at the hotel the day before you cycle adventure begins. Enjoy the sights of the area and relax in the hotel Onsen. Nearby you’ll find Kashiwara Jingu a large shrine with walking paths, gardens.

  • A man stands behind a bicycle with his hands outstretched as two people on either side are in the air. There is a large Tori gate in the background.
    Kashihara Jingu
  • Fall colors of Wakayama street.
    Fall colors of Japan
  • Swril of green tea, matcha soft ice cream in the foreground.
    Matcha ice cream
  • Tall flowers pink and red, behind a wooden fence with traditional Japanese neighbourhood in the background.
    Flowers in Japan

Day 1 -Kashiwara to Nara

Your day begins at in the lobby of your hotel.  You will receive your bikes, cycle computer and a brief orientation at 8:30am.

Cycling Info

  • Distance: 39kms
  • Elevation: +254m/-233m
  • Duration: 4-6 hours

Sites and Delights

  • Cycle through the historical town of Imaicho
  • Kudaraji temple a three story pagoda
  • Horyuji temple – oldest wooden structure in Japan
  • Yamato-Koriyama goldfish neighbourhood
  • Naramachi Lattice house
  • Nara Craft museum showcasing the local crafts with English explanations
  • Cyclist riding along bike pathway marked with blue line in rural Japan with clear blue sky.
    Designated bike paths.
  • Group of cyclists pose with their bikes on an old traditional Japanese street.
    Imaicho street
  • Cyclist by Pagoda. Cyclist with O Cycle Japan jersey stands in front of a three story pagoda.
    Cyclist by Pagoda
  • Lush green grass and trees line a curved pathway that is lined blue lines on either side indicating it is a bike pathway.
    Rural bike path
  • Sun setting on hotel with cyclists arriving at traditional Japanese Ryokan hotel.
    Daibutsukan Ryokan Nara

Day 2 -Nara to Kyoto

Cycle from and explore the sites of Nara including feeding the deer at Nara Park and seeing the giant Buddha, Daibutsu at Todaiji temple. Leave the hustle of the city for the quiet rural pathways and enjoy the serenity before arriving to Kyoto.

Cycling Info

  • Distance: 53kms
  • Elevation: +253m/-308m
  • Duration: 5-6 hours

Sites and Delights

  • Todaiji and Daibutukan the giant Buddha statue
  • Feed the deer in Nara Park.
  • Okumura commemorative museum, try the earthquake simulator
  • Gekkeikan Sake Museum
  • Sanjusangendo temple with the display of 1000 armed Kannon.
  • Cyclist in deer hat poses with deer in Nara.
    Feeding the Deer
  • Large city Buddha statue with gold designed background.
    Daibutsu at Todaiji temple
  • Bottle of large sake in background with a cup in a square dish serving the sake.
    Sake – Japanese rice wine
  • Cyclist stops on the side of a rural road way with bright red fall leaves in the background.
    Cycling fall colors
  • Woman smiles as she enjoys her breakfast. Paper lanterns in white, orange and grey are in the background.
    Breakfast time Kyoto

Day 3 -Kyoto – Osaka

Last day – best day! The last day of the tour offers mostly down to flat riding along the river path but also some fun sites along the way and a little city riding including an underground passage.  The last stop before ending the tour is at Osaka Castle. 

Cycling Info

  • Distance: 60km
  • Elevation: 368m
  • Duration: 5-6 hours

Sites and Delights

  • Visit Fushimi Inari shrine with 10,000 red Tori gates
  • Stop for a break at Otokoyama Observatory a community center and cyclist center for the area
  • Panasonic Museum
  • Osaka Castle
  • Red Tori gates of Fushimi Inari
    Fushimi Inari
  • Japanese covered shopping street in Osaka with large golden ball hanging.
    Shotengai -covered shopping street
  • Large cement arches that have red discoloration due to their age with a bright blue sky and green trees in the background. Suirokau Aqueduct in Kyoto.
    Suirokaku Aqueduct
  • White clothes folded on bamboo stand in rows drying in a light breeze with brown and white Japanese building in background at the Gekkeikan Sake Museum.
    White cloths drying on bamboo stands
  • Cyclists push their bike up a ramp in an underground pedestrian tunnel.
    City underpass in Osaka
  • Couple of cyclists pose in front of Panasonic Museum in Osaka.
    Panasonic Museum
  • Osaka Castle in background with a bridge Two cyclists pose with their bikes in front.
    Osaka Castle

When Can I go?

These tours arrive on a Sunday, with cycling Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. You’ll end your tour in Osaka city where you’ll stay overnight and rest after your big cycling adventure. Tour start dates for 2025 are Apr 6, Apr 13, Sep 28, Oct 5, Oct 19, Oct 26 and Nov 2.

Ready to Ride?

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