Kit Loose, EXO Japan Adventure Product Development Manager, shares his perspective on the joys of cycling in Japan and what makes EXO’s trips truly extraordinary.
Kit first visited Japan as a 14-year-old, when his family moved to Tokyo for a few years. It didn’t take him long to fall in love with the country and its people.
He has been returning ever since and recently joined the EXO Adventure team, where he balances his time between developing customised routes, training guides and drivers, leading group cycling trips and seeking out the best bowl of ramen.
‘I don’t have to work hard to sell Japan,’ Kit admits. ‘Japan sells itself because of its gracious people – there is no other place like it in terms of the people. Add to that the spectacular scenery, the food and it is incredibly safe.’
As the country’s burgeoning popularity as a tourist destination in recent years has brought challenges of overcrowding, there are still plenty of authentic, lesser known corners of Japan. EXO Adventure specialises in cycling trips that showcase these quieter places– we asked Kit to explain more.
‘We aim to steer guests away from the beaten path, deliver authentic experiences. There is a veracity to where we go.’
Pedalling away from the tourist trail
A key component of Kit’s work is designing cycling routes that explore Japan’s quieter, yet equally captivating, side.
‘We aim to steer guests away from the beaten path, authentic experiences, veracity to where we go,’ he explains. ‘Through cycling, we’re able to get to places that are kind of frozen in time, almost like living museums,’ Kit continues. ‘When we cycle through these rural places, people are curious about who we are and what we are doing – happy to see us.’
Of course, safety is also at the front of mind when designing routes. ‘Japan is a spectacularly safe place, not just in terms of personal safety but also the drivers are good and aware of cyclists. But on a lot of our routes, we do not have to deal with cars- once you get out of the cities it’s pretty unpopulated and we seek out roads with minimal traffic.’
‘Our drivers literally and figuratively go the extra mile on EXO bike trips. Much more than simply drivers, they are partners of the tour guide or tour leader.’
Bikes and support
In Japan, EXO’s fleet of bikes consists of new model Trek road and hybrid bikes in varying frame sizes, allowing us to cater to a wide range of cyclists. We also own two customised vans used exclusively for cycling trips, with bike racks on the top and the interior kitted out to carry mechanic gear, snack and beverage service items and guests’ luggage.
Enhancing the guest experience are EXO’s drivers, who are specially trained for cycling trips. They not only drive the support vehicle but also assist with bike maintenance, snack breaks and more. Kit explains, ‘Our drivers literally and figuratively go the extra mile on EXO bike trips. Much more than simply drivers, they are partners of the tour guide or tour leader and give input into the tours as well as support the customers. Without fail, we receive very high marks on drivers.’
‘Many of our guides are former professional cyclists and a few are local celebrities’
Top notch guides
At the helm of each EXO Japan cycling trip are one of our incredible guides who, beyond their prowess in the saddle, bring a deep understanding of the customer experience. They bring a passion for cycling in Japan that is contagious and add extra value to the tour through their personal insight.
Kit adds, ‘Many of our guides are former professional cyclists and a few are local celebrities. There is a television program called Cycling Around Japan, where one foreign cyclist goes around Japan by bike accompanied by a local host. Many of these hosts work as guides for EXO. The show is a great marketing tool for Japan cycling.’
This very local, authentic type of experience is a welcomed change from what other tourists may experience at the crowded sites of Kyoto or Tokyo.
Unique local experiences
Thanks to our vast network, EXO is able to leverage it to arrange unique experiences. This is especially true when it comes to visiting and staying in rural villages. ‘There is one UNESCO World Heritage village that is packed with tourists during the day. But we’ve arranged to stay there overnight,’ Kit explains. ‘The group is split into 3 or 4 different houses for a home stay, getting the chance for very personal interaction with the residents.’
As well, the flexibility of being on the bike and off the main paths allows EXO’s guides and tour leaders to make spontaneous stops. ‘We go to small morning markets – we are the only foreigners there,’ Kit says. ‘And everyone is curious, coming up to us and asking if we like Japan.’ This very local, authentic type of experience is a welcomed change from what other tourists may experience at the crowded sites in Kyoto or Tokyo.
EXO Adventure customises each of our cycling trips to fit personal travel interests and fitness levels. For Japan, we recommend spending at least a week to appreciate the country’s diverse landscapes and experience its remarkable culture. Head over to our website for more inspiration or reach out to our team to start planning.
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