FAQ
Click on the frequently asked questions below to discover the answer to many of your questions. Don’t find your question below? No worries contact us and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
The 7night/6 day Kansai tour has an average of 60km/day. The shortest day is 25km and the longest is 70km.
The 4 night/3 day tour has an average of 50km/day.
These tours are designed for adults only. All participants need to be 18years of age or older.
You will require a relative fitness level. You also should have cycling experience and time in the saddle. The average distance is ~60km a day with some elevation gain and hills. There are a lot of great places to stop along the way and take a break, if you want to ride slower. Be prepared to be out biking and exploring for 5+ hours/day, including a lunch break. If you cycle 50km once a week, minimum you should find you are well prepared for the 7night/6day tour.
The cycle route varies from location to location. The main cycling is on bike paths and side roads. Winding through local neighborhoods and farms, to famous castles and temples. There is some cycling along the roadside in some areas. In the busy tourist areas there can be congestion of people and traffic.
In Japan driving and cycling on the roads is on the lefthand side in Japan. There are places where there are pedestrian/cycle paths on the right-hand side. This includes some bridge crossings and some city pathways.
In Japan, especially the Kansai region, is very bike friendly. Many people use bikes to get to the train station, work, school, shopping etc. From young school age children to the elderly who live independently. While leisure cycling is not very common, riding bikes is common with a positive atmosphere for sharing pathways.
Japan is a quiet and patient culture. Riding etiquette is passing pedestrians when safe, ringing the bell only when a dangerous situation arises. It is not common to notify the pedestrian for them to move but to patiently wait until it is safe to pass. Cyclists follow pedestrian lights at cross walks and street crossings. The flow is pedestrians first, then bikes, then cars. It is not uncommon on a narrow road for a bike to pull over, when it is safe, for a car to pass. In the same situation, cars patiently follow a bike, without pressure or honking until they can safely pass.
We have selected a range of accommodations that allow you to experience the variety of what Japan has to offer. This includes traditional Ryokan hotels, to western style hotels. We selected locations based on their hospitality, storage for the bikes, location. Breakfast is provided at all locations. Most offer a Japanese bath (Onsen), ice machines and laundry for guests.
Most hotels have laundry facilities. This means you can pack less. Some offer ones with detergent included and others you need to add detergent, which can be purchased at the front desk at the hotel(s).
We provide a recommended packing list of our favorite things to bring when cycling. Some of the main things to consider bringing include bike shorts, technical or breathable clothing, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jacket and/or pants. You can bring your own helmet, many prefer the fit but if you let us know we can provide a helmet. You do NOT need to bring any bike tools, tubes or pump these will be provided with your bike.
We provide excellent hybrid touring bikes, a Cannondale Quick 3 or similar bike. These bikes offer a combination of road bike speed and city bike comfort and versatility. A hybrid bike is included in your tour package. It’s a perfect fitness bike and casual touring bike. Road bikes and E-Bikes are available for a fee.
YES!! We now have a limited number of E-bikes available. These are hybrid bikes, pedal assist and will give your ride a boost from point to point. There is an additional fee for E-bikes.
We provide helmets at no extra charge. If you prefer the fit of your helmet of course you are welcome to bring it.
No. Each guest will be provided with basic bikes tools, a pump and an extra tube. In addition there are many bike shops along the way. We will provide you with a list of basic terms and questions in Japanese if you need to stop at a bike shop for assistance.
These bikes have regular flat pedals and we recommend sneakers or comfortable walking shoes if you plan to enjoy all the sightseeing along the way. Many of the gardens, museums, temples require walking to see all they have to offer. If you prefer clip pedals, several options are available at no charge. Please contact us for more details on clip pdeals.
Yes a bike lock is provided for each bike.
There are bottle cages or bottle holders available on all our bikes. We will have standard water bottles available for purchase or you can bring your own.
The daily routes are programed into a Bryton cycling computer. We have selected this brand for several reasons including that they are produced in Asia with great map capabilities. They use 5 satellites instead of 4 for their GPS capabilities. The rerouting when you wonder from the suggested route was superior to other cycling computers we tested.
This is a cycling tour with many sights to see along the way. Many of the sites along the way do not allow bikes on the grounds. If you choose to take advantage and explore these it will require walking. This includes castle grounds, gardens, museums, temples and shrines. Many of these locations have stairs to access the areas and sites. Many of the grounds and gardens cover a large area and you may find that there is a lot of walking to access the places of interest along the way. If this is a concern for you, please let us know and we can let you know how to maximize your experience with minimal walking.
No. The hotels are booked ahead of time and all guests will be travelling the same route. You may choose to leave early to allow you to travel at your own pace and enjoy the journey.
Japanese baths are a big part of the culture. Woman and men have separate bathing areas. Bathing suits are not allowed in the bath, you bath naked. For more details visit our what to know before you go.
Yes. While Japan is a safe country we recommend that you lock your bike anytime you will leave it unattended, It does not need to be locked to something, ensure the tire and the frame are locked. Always take your cycling computer with you.
We will be transporting your luggage from location to location. You will take your luggage to the front desk of the hotel each morning and we will transport it to your next hotel. Your luggage will be waiting for you when you arrive at your destination.
It depended on the location. Many locations do not require you to remove your shoes. However the places you need to remove you shoes can be identified in a few ways. As a general rule you do not wear shoes on tatami surfaces. Look for areas where you step up from the entrance and indoor slippers are available. Often a sign will be displayed as well indicating ‘no outdoor shoes’. If in doubt please ask.
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