Cycle with a local Japanese cyclist in Hashimoto. O Cycle Japan guests get ready for a sunny cycling day.

Two cyclist look at camera while standing on a bridge with the ocean in the back ground on a blue sky day.

Six people stand outside a building with their bikes, helmets resting on the handle bars in front of a building with Japanese writing.

Matsuri celebration in Japan, visitor carry's golden float with other team members. Get immersed in local festivals.

8 Days in Kansai

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Difficulty Level

The best of Kansai combines our city and countryside tours to complete the best of this regions. 8 day/7 nights/6 days cycling tours, arrive Saturday where you’ll stay at a hotel near the Osaka Castle. Cycling will begin on Sunday morning after orientation which is hosted in the hotel lobby. Your will end your tour in the south of Osaka at Rinku Town which is located one train stop from the Kansai International Airport (KIX).

Duration: 8 Days

Season: Spring & Fall

Group Size: Up to 8 people

Accommodations: Comfort: Western-style hotels, Japanese Ryokans, Buddhist temple

Difficulty: Moderate, Great Fitness Required, 40-70 kms (25-43 mi) / day

What’s Included: Pre-mapped routing, Lodging, Luggage transfers, Bike and helmet rentals, Seven breakfasts, Two dinners

Day 1: Arrival in Osaka

Arrive in Osaka and check in to the hotel. After settling in, explore the area including Osaka Castle. In the evening, we enjoy dinner in the lively Temma district, known for its local food culture.

Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Day 2: Osaka to Kyoto

Cycle north toward Kyoto, following rivers and quiet paths out of the city. Along the way, visit the Panasonic Museum and stop at the Sakura-deai Visitor Center before continuing on to a sake museum. Arriving in Kyoto, explore gardens and temples before spending the evening near Nishiki Market, wandering its narrow lanes, food stalls, and small museums.

Distance: 60 km (37 mi)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Day 3: Kyoto to Otsu

A shorter day filled with iconic sights, cycle through temple grounds and discover Ginkaku-ji and its beautifully designed Silver Pavilion gardens. Follow the Philosopher’s Path and continue on to Nanzen-ji, exploring its gardens, aqueducts, and temple complex before riding to the shores of Lake Biwa. Stay at a Buddhist temple on a hillside above Otsu, visit the Otsu-e Art Museum, and enjoy a special vegan temple meal in the evening.

Distance:40 km (25 mi)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Buddhist temple

Day 4: Otsu to Nara

Ride south toward Nara, passing through the green tea town of Uji and visiting Byodo-in Temple and its famous Phoenix Hall. Wide cycling paths lead past tea fields and through peaceful countryside before arriving in Nara, where we spend time with the city’s free-roaming deer. Finish the day at our ryokan, enjoying a traditional evening atmosphere.

Distance: 55 km (34 mi)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Western-style hotel or Japanese Ryokan

Day 5: Nara to Hashimoto

Begin by exploring Yamatokoriyama, known for its centuries-old goldfish breeding tradition, before visiting Horyu-ji, one of Japan’s oldest temples and home to the world’s oldest surviving wooden buildings. Continuing on, stop at Kashihara Jingu and pass beneath its giant torii gates before riding through rolling hills and rural landscapes on our way to Hashimoto.

Distance: 70 km (43 mi)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Day 6: Hashimoto to Wakayama

After warming up your legs, visit the Kudoyama Sanada Museum to learn about a famous local samurai family, then stop at Jison-in Temple, dedicated to women’s health. Enjoy a scenic riverside cycle as the route winds toward the coast. In Wakayama, we explore Momijidani Garden and Wakayama Castle before settling into an oceanside ryokan for the night.

Distance: 61 km (38 mi)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Japanese ryokan

Day 7: Wakayama to Rinku Town

Our final cycling day follows the ocean, crossing bridges and enjoying expansive coastal views. Stop at Awashima Shrine, admire seaside murals, and relax in a park where and even try out a large slide. The ride ends in Rinku Town near Kansai International Airport. In the evening, explore nearby shops and restaurants and take a ride on the waterfront Ferris wheel for your last night of the tour.

Distance: 60 km (37 mi)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, check out. With Kansai International Airport nearby, departures are smooth, and there’s time to reflect on a journey that blended cycling, culture, food, and landscapes across one of Japan’s most fascinating regions.

Meals: Breakfast

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Pre-mapped Routing
Lodging
Luggage Transportation
Bike and Helmet Rental
Four Breakfasts
One Dinners

Spring 2026

Two bicycles rest next to the preparations for a Japanese spring festival called a Matsuri.

Fall 2026

Bike parked next to pathway with fall flowers