Japan
Cycling
Roadtrip

Road trip through the centre of Japan's main island, Honshū, from Tokyo to Osaka

3 → 16 May 2026

Samurai Trail e-bike ride

Overview

The ultimate fusion of ancient tradition and cutting-edge innovation: start and finish in futuristic Blade Runner-style cities where culture shock hits hard. In between, e-bike through the Japanese Alps and rural prefectures on an ancient route once used by samurai and merchants. Incredible cuisine, volcanic hot springs and the true essence of Japan through its natural and cultural treasures.

Duration

14 days / 13 nights*

Location

Road trip through the centre of Japan's main island, Honshū, from Tokyo to Osaka

BICYCLE PACKAGE

Long-distance touring e-bike rental for 6 days from Nagano to Kyoto, with an escort car for luggage, service support. 2-day city bike rental in Kyoto. GoBeyond tour guide

MEETING POINT

Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT), Tokyo, Japan

ACCOMMODATION

1 night in an authentic Edo-period minshuku, 6 nights in high-quality onsen hotels, 5 nights in modern Western-style city hotels, and 1 night in a simpler countryside onsen hotel.

PRICE

€3,990

*The duration of the trip is from pick-up in Tokyo at either Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) International Airport to departure from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka.

I’m Packed and Ready! →

Gallery

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Description

No other country in the world blends respect for tradition with a drive for innovation quite like Japan. During our journey, we gain a comprehensive understanding of this unique duality: we explore the country’s three most significant metropolises—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—and, during the week-long e-bike tour, experience the island nation’s ancient, nature-connected side and rural life.

On the bike tour, we follow the Nakasendo, a historic route once traveled by samurai, merchants, pilgrims, and other mysterious travelers, shrouded in legends. This ancient path passes through several post towns that have preserved their centuries-old appearance, where residents still practice traditional crafts, from wood carving to sake brewing and miso paste making.

The ~360-kilometer bike tour begins in the Japanese Alps, where we traverse volcanic peaks covered in dense forests, rocky river valleys, waterfalls, and authentic villages. As we leave the mountains, we continue through a more urbanized environment along the Nakasendo, passing rice fields and bamboo groves until we reach Japan’s largest lake.

We continue winding along the shores of Lake Biwa towards Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan and the final stop on our bike tour. After exploring Kyoto, we make a brief visit to Nara, Japan’s oldest capital, to see the hundreds of freely roaming deer. Finally, we will gather one last large dose of excitement in Osaka, Japan’s second most vibrant city, before heading home.

Tour Package

Japan Cycling Roadtrip

3 → 16 May 2026

€3,990

The duration of the trip lasts from meeting in Tokyo to the return flight from Osaka, Japan. Both cities have two international airports from which you can arrive and depart: Haneda International Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, and Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka International Airport (Itami; ITM) in Osaka.

Included in the price

Accommodation for 13 nights in double rooms

12 breakfasts

E-bike rental for 6 days

Bike transport to the starting point and back at the end of the tour

Support vehicle for luggage

Mechanic support

Bike rental in Kyoto for 2 days

Airport transfers in Tokyo and Osaka

Train tickets from Tokyo to Nagano, Kyoto to Nara, and Nara to Osaka

Luggage transfer from Tokyo to Nagano and from Kyoto to Osaka

GoBeyond tour guide

Optional extras

Upon request, the GoBeyond team will book the best available flight tickets for you. The handling fee is based on the price of the ticket:
– under €1,000: €30
– above €1,000: €50

If you need a visa – determined by your nationality – and you want us to arrange it for you, the administration fee is €35

Further expenses

International flight to Tokyo (HND or NRT) and back from Osaka (KIX or ITM)

Travel insurance

Personal expenses, lunches, dinners, and drinks

Entrance fees to attractions

Local transportation within the cities

I’m Packed and Ready! →

Details

Accommodation

Over the course of 13 nights, we stay in 8 different accommodations. One night is spent in an authentic, centuries-old minshuku — a traditional Japanese inn that once hosted travelers along the Nakasendo trail during the Edo period. Six nights are in high-quality, charming onsen hotels, and five nights in comfortable, Western-style city hotels. One night is in a simpler countryside onsen hotel.

Except for the Tokyo hotel and the historic minshuku, all accommodations have their own onsen baths. On one evening, we enjoy panoramic views of Lake Biwa from both the room and an open-air hot spring bath. Heated toilet seats and in-room slippers add a touch of comfort every night.

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We ride on well-maintained Specialized Vado SL e-bikes, perfectly suited for long-distance touring. The climbs in the Japanese Alps can be unforgiving at times, and with electric assist, we’re able to cover much more ground and reach places that would otherwise be out of range. On flat terrain, the bikes have a range of 70–80 km, and in the mountains, around 40–50 km. We also have the opportunity to charge them during our lunch breaks. Each bike comes equipped with a small handlebar bag and a seat bag, so you can carry everything you need for the day’s ride. A support vehicle transports the bikes to our starting point at the hotel in Nagano and takes them back from Kyoto at the end of the tour. This same vehicle also carries our luggage from place to place — and even serves as our mobile charging station for the e-bikes.

We don’t ride fast or tackle extreme terrain, so technical clothing isn’t necessary. Just bring comfortable clothing suitable for riding several hours at a time. A long-sleeved base layer or leggings over shorts is usually practical, so your trousers don't touch the dirty parts of the bike and you're less likely to get wet in the rain. A well-ventilated long-sleeved T-shirt and a thin down or windbreaker are also a good idea. Be sure to pack a windproof and waterproof jacket, as well as thin gloves. It may rain and you can prepare for this in two ways: with waterproof layers (raincoat and trousers, waterproof shoes) or with a poncho that can be worn over otherwise non-waterproof clothing and a gaiter that can be worn over shoes. A baseball cap is handy in the rain to shield your face. It is not compulsory to wear a helmet when cycling in Japan, so it is up to you whether you wear one or not.

In May, central Japan enjoys spring-like weather transitioning into early summer. Temperatures in cities can reach up to 25°C during the day, with cooler overnight lows around 12-15°C. In the mountains, it’s slightly cooler, with daytime highs around 20-23°C and lows around 10°C. May is generally a dry month in central Japan, with little precipitation, although occasional showers are possible

In Japan, traffic keeps to the left side of the road. This is something we get used to within the first few days. We mostly cycle on paved roads, and Japan’s well-known precision and high standards are evident here too. The road surfaces are often perfectly smooth, allowing us to experience what it’s like to ride through forests on near-flawless asphalt. In the mountains, we usually ride on roads with very little traffic. On a few short sections, we may need to use busier roads, but even there we cycle on separate bike and pedestrian paths, protected by barriers. So we are not riding among cars. In urban areas, we do share the road with vehicles. Japan’s traffic culture is another reason why cycling here is so enjoyable. Drivers are exceptionally patient and respectful, which is something rarely found elsewhere in the world.

Depending on your spending habits, you can expect to spend between €600 and €900. A meal costs between €7 and €25, but you can get away with less with good quality ready meals and freshly baked food. It's easy to spend money in the cities and less in the countryside, but if you want to come home full of souvenirs, plan ahead.

During the two weeks, we dive into Japanese cuisine, sampling rich ramen, fresh dumplings, and authentic sushi, as well as regional specialties like Nagano’s soba and Osaka’s takoyaki. We have breakfast at our accommodations on 12 occasions, with one morning spent picking up breakfast from unique Japanese stores, offering onigiris, sandwiches, smoothies, and sweets. One evening, dinner is also provided at our accommodation. For lunch, we stop at various places en route, and in the evenings, we explore local restaurants or izakayas. Expect to enjoy vegetable-packed noodle soups, crispy tempura, fermented vegetables, and table grilling, with some dishes so unfamiliar that we may not even know what we’re eating.

A maximum of 10 group members, representing a mix of nationalities.

We make high-quality content in all our camps. You will receive the photos after returning home to remember all the amazing memories.

A comfortable transfer will take us from the airport to our accommodation in Tokyo, and at the end of the trip from Osaka to the airport. On train travel days, we will use luggage delivery services, meaning we send our large bags ahead from Tokyo and Kyoto to the next hotel. This service, along with domestic train tickets and airport transfers, is included in the package. The price does not include local city transportation, as there will likely be occasions when the group does not travel together, and everyone can use public transport with the card added to their phone.

You should choose an insurance that covers cycling and is valid in Japan. You can contact us and we will be happy to recommend the most suitable one.

Program

14-day itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

We arrive in Tokyo, where a transfer awaits us at the airport. The team then gathers in Shinjuku. We acclimatize, rest from the long journey, and immerse ourselves in Tokyo's vibrant nightlife.

Day 2-3

Tokyo

In Tokyo, we arrange our schedule according to the team's preferences. Our goal is to ensure that everyone gets to experience the several faces of one of the world's most exciting cities.
There are some must-visit neighborhoods and attractions that we can explore together on an optional basis, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, Asakusa, Akihabara, Yoyogi Park, or the fish market. However, if someone prefers to spend both days shopping or diving into the depths of arcade games, there are opportunities to do so.

Day 4

Arrival in the mountains

In the morning, we bid farewell to Tokyo and hop aboard Japan’s world-renowned rail network, speeding toward the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture at up to 270 km/h. In the afternoon, we pick up our bicycles, set them up, and take them for a test ride. In the evening, we unwind in the hotel’s onsen, shaking off the urban chaos and preparing for the slower pace of rural life.

Day 5

Start of the bike tour

After breakfast, we hop on our bikes and head towards one of Nakasendo's former wealthiest post towns, where traditional wooden buildings now house restaurants, sake breweries, and craft shops. In an open house, we can also see how local merchants lived in the past. For lunch, we sample Nagano’s famous soba noodles, then continue our ride to Kiso-Fukushima. There, we relax our legs in a roadside foot bath filled with thermal water and taste the sake we bought in Narai-juku. We visit the Kiso Valley’s most famous Zen temple, renowned for Asia's largest dry rock garden, and then unwind in the hotel’s onsen in the evening.

Day 6

Continuing along the samurai path

In the Kiso Valley our journey is accompanied by gorges, waterfalls, estuaries, and sacred sites as we reach the most beautifully preserved section of the Nakasendo. We ascend into the mountains along the Araragi River, where the atmospheric post towns of Tsumago and Magome welcome us. After soaking in the ambiance of Japan from 300 years ago, we’ll descend the other side of the mountain and spend the evening relaxing in an authentic Japanese izakaya, enjoying a well-deserved break after a long day.

Day 7

Through forests & cities

As we leave the Japanese Alps and Nagano behind, we enter a much more open landscape in Gifu Prefecture. Following the Nakasendo, our route meanders through partially modernized post towns and scenic forests until we reach Inuyama. Inuyama, renowned for one of Japan’s oldest wooden castles, awaits us for exploration. In the evening, we experience Japanese table grilling at an izakaya, discovering this unique method of cooking.

Day 8

Accross rice paddies & rivers

In the morning, we continue along the widening Kiso River, reaching Ogaki, known as the City of Water, where sake breweries, castles, and onsens cross our path. In the afternoon, we wind our way through rice fields, forests, and post towns as we enter Shiga Prefecture. Along the way, we visit a soy sauce brewery and a unique sacred site at a natural spring. By the afternoon, we arrive at our accommodation on the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. From the panoramic onsen, we enjoy the sun sinking behind the mountains across the lake.

Day 9

Along the lake shore to Kyoto

In the morning, we visit Hikone’s key attractions: the Zen temple nestled in the forest, the prefecture’s most significant historical landmark—the castle—and its exceptionally beautiful Japanese garden. Next, we head south, winding along the lake shore and through dense forests. After admiring the view of the lake and the Hira Mountains from the middle of the Biwako Bridge, we arrive in the suburbs of Kyoto on the opposite side of the lake. In Kyoto, often referred to as Japan’s cultural heart, we bid farewell to our e-bikes and explore the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 10-11

Kyoto

In Kyoto, we swap our e-bikes for simple city bikes and explore the city on them. On the first day, we head north to enjoy exceptional views of the city, see the wild monkeys of Kameyama-koen Park, the main attraction in the district, Tenryu-ji Zen Temple, and take some pictures in the famous bamboo forest. On the second day, we visit one of Kyoto's most important heritage sites, the Kiyomizu-dera temple, in the eastern part of the city. We visit the old town and the beautiful Maruyama-koen Park, and of course explore Gion, the infamous district of the geisha.

Day 12

Day trip to Nara

In the morning, we board a train and, in less than an hour, arrive in the ancient city of Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital in the 8th century, renowned for its oldest temples. We visit and pet the freely roaming deer in Nara Park. After lunch, we take a short train ride to Osaka. In the evening, we dive into the city’s most vibrant district, Dotonbori, where we sample Osaka’s famous street food.

Day 13

Osaka

We spend the first part of our last full day in Japan enjoying free time, allowing everyone to get the essential souvenirs. In the afternoon, we embark on a city tour, visiting the most unusual neighborhoods and key attractions. In the evening, we say farewell to each other and to Japan with a big group dinner, then try to rest up before the long journey home.

Day 14

Departure

We take a private transfer to the airport, according to each person’s flight schedule. After the two-week tour, pleasantly tired, and with lasting memories, we fly home.

The program is subject to change at any times. The final itinerary depends on current weather conditions and the group’s skills and stamina.

Your tailor-made cycling adventure in Japan

Discover more

Would you like to spend more time exploring Tokyo or relaxing in the countryside? Would you skip Osaka? If you'd prefer a different time frame, a trip with family or friends, riding normal bikes instead of e-bikes, contact us with your ideas and we'll put together the adventure of your dreams.

Discover more

It was one of the best trips of my life to explore the villages and towns of Japan on two wheels. Vanda gave me a lot of information about Japanese culture, history and gastronomy. A to Z this is a flawless trip, only problem is that it is far away and you can’t teleport 🙂 Thank you!

Linda

I had a great adventure with my best friends. Because of the very good organisation, we didn’t have to worry about much other than having a great time. Of course, going with strangers is risky, but we were lucky in that too, we had a great group of people:)

Zoltán

I got a lot of new memories, new friends, muscle fever…

Eva

I had a fantastic experience, adventure and great company.

Andrew

Our guides

Vanda

Head of Adventure Tours

One of the pillars of our team and the best expert on our trips. When travelling, she loves to take it slow and discover the true essence of places from the saddle of a bike.

Janó

Founder

An expert freeride skier, a passionate surfer, and a seasoned traveler. With a deep love for adventure, he spends over 150 days a year on the move.

Norbi

Travel Expert

Norbi is a constantly curious world wanderer. He is most content and happy when he’s outdoors.

Application

+43 660 552 2466 | hello@gobeyondteam.com

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Booking

Secure your spot with a deposit & travel contract

Plane tickets & visa arrangement if needed

Typically 1-2 months before departure

Second Instalment

30 days before departure

FAQ

Not at all. Half of the group usually comes alone, so you can be sure you'll make new friends!

If you can cycle for 6 hours a day on tarmac at a comfortable pace in average terrain, you're fit enough to complete the tour. The volcanic mountains of Japan have some pretty tough climbs and electric bikes will be a big help in overcoming them. If you've ridden an e-bike before, it's an advantage, but not a requirement—everyone gets used to it on the first day.

In May, central Japan enjoys pleasant early summer weather, with daytime highs of 22-25°C and nighttime lows cooling to around 10-13°C. While May is generally dry, rain showers can still happen, so it’s a good idea to pack a waterproof layer. As with transitional seasons in general, it’s worth preparing for this trip with breathable, layered clothing. Packing items like short- and long-sleeved shirts, long underwear or leggings, shorts and long pants, a lightweight down or wind vest, and a jacket are all smart choices. For rainy days, one option is to bring a waterproof layer you can easily throw over your non-waterproof clothes, like a poncho and gaiters. Another is to go for a waterproof jacket and rain pants, plus waterproof shoes or gaiters. It’s also a good idea to pack a pair of thin gloves and a lightweight hat or baseball cap.

Depending on your spending habits, your budget will likely fall between €600 and €900. Meals usually range from €7 to €25, though you can cut costs with some savvy choices. Cities have a way of tempting you to spend more, while the countryside tends to be kinder to your wallet. If you’re planning to come home with plenty of souvenirs, it’s smart to factor that into your budget ahead of time!

You need an insurance that covers cycling and is valid in Japan. You can contact us and we will be happy to recommend the most suitable one.

We'll be staying in the central area of Japan's main island, Honsu, known as the Chubu region.

Over the course of two weeks, we immerse ourselves in Japanese cuisine, savoring hearty ramen, delicate dumplings, authentic sushi, and regional specialties such as Nagano’s soba and Osaka’s takoyaki. Breakfast is provided at our accommodations on 12 days, with one morning set aside for discovering unique Japanese stores offering onigiri, sandwiches, smoothies, and sweets. For lunch, we make stops at various spots along our journey, while dinners are an opportunity to explore local restaurants or izakayas. Look forward to enjoying dishes like vegetable-packed noodle soups, crispy tempura, fermented vegetables, and table grilling—some so unique that their ingredients might remain a delightful mystery!

Over the course of 13 nights, we stay in 8 different accommodations. One night is spent in an authentic, centuries-old minshuku, which served as lodging for travelers on the Nakasendo trail during the Edo period. Six nights are in high-quality, distinctive onsen hotels, and five nights in Western-style city hotels. One night is spent in a simpler countryside onsen hotel. Except for the Tokyo hotel and the minshuku, all accommodations have their own onsen baths. On one evening, we can enjoy views of Lake Biwa from both our room and an open-air hot spring bath. Heated toilet seats and house slippers are comforts we enjoy every night.

The local currency is the Japanese yen (JPY). There are many exchange offices and ATMs, and even currency exchange machines in the cities. More and more places accept card payments; however, surprisingly many places, especially in rural areas, do not. Therefore, always carry enough cash with you.

Travelers from many countries across the globe can visit Japan for up to 90 days without requiring a visa, but if you require one, we are happy to help! Check this link to see which countries require a visa: https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/visa-info/