Cycle Noto Peninsula

📍 Difficulty: Easy City ride: 3 hours

Welcome! Start from either Kyoto, Tokyo or another city in Japan where train tickets and instructions will be provided to travel to Kanazawa city and begin the cycling adventure! 

This morning, take an express train to Kanazawa, in the western Ishikawa Prefecture, an atmospheric town that once rivalled Kyoto as the historical jewel of mainland Japan.

After lunch, enjoy a short cycling loop around the city, a good opportunity to fine-tune the bikes whilst enjoying some of the main attractions in town. Ride through the popular Nagamachi Samurai District, an area which preserves a historic atmosphere featuring samurai residences, narrow lanes and water canals. Then, visit Kenrokuen, one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens, which is particularly spectacular during cherry blossom and autumn season.

Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kanazawa.

Services Included:

Tour Leader

One-way Train Transfer in ordinary class from Tokyo or Kyoto to Kanazawa

Entrance Fees

Bicycle

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling Distance: up to 87 km Transfer from Togi to Waima: 1 hour

Cycle from Kanazawa to Togi, along rugged coastline and past fishing villages.

This morning leave Kanazawa and cycle along the Sea of Japan until reaching the popular Chirihama Beach driveway and pedal comfortably on the hard-packedsand beach for about 8 km. This route is a unique attraction in Japan as it is open not only to bikes but also to cars, allowing drivers to get really close to the water's edge. Small stalls selling hamayaki (grilled shellfish and fish) are set up along the coast from spring to summer and offer a good opportunity for a refreshment stop.

En route, visit Myojoji Temple dating back to the 17th century and boasting a wonderful early five storied Edo period pagoda.

Continue on the coastal cycling path and then along the dramatic Noto Kongo Coast, often considered the most dramatic section of the Noto Peninsula, until reaching Togi.

After arriving at Togi, get on the car and head to tonight’s Ryokan in Wajima. (1h)

Overnight in Wajima

Services Included:

Tour leader

Entrance Fees

Bicycle

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling Distance: 65 km

This morning have the option of joining the guide for an early visit to the Wajima Morning Market, believed to date back over a thousand years. Every day vendors and elderly women gather here to sell various goods, including fresh seafood and lacquerware - the most well-known local handicraft.

Set-off and pedal along the remote and rural coastal northern stretch of the Noto Peninsula. En route, pass the famous picturesque rice fields and salt farms. The most famous site to visit today is Senmaida, a hillside of over 1000 terraced rice fields whose lush green colours and contours contrast with the background of the vivid blue sea. Arrive at Suzu in the afternoon for a short break, then continue to Noto and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Noto.

Services Included:

Tour leader

Entrance Fees

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling Distance (Otsusaka – Anamizu – Wakura Onsen ): up to 75 km Optional Transfer from Anamizu to Wakura Onsen: 40 mins

Final ride along the Noto Peninsula to the popular hot spring resort of Wakura Onsen.

This morning, leave Otsusaka and cycle the last stretch of the Noto Peninsula following the undulating coastal route around Toyama Bay. Along the way, enjoy coastal views and a scenic landscape dotted with fishing villages before reaching the town of Anamizu. Finish the ride here or continue on to Wakura Onsen, a popular hot spring resort dating back to thousands of years when, according to a legend, a local fisherman found a wounded white heron and cured its body with the ocean’s hot water. 

Today, the local waters rich in natural salts and minerals are still flowing and their healing properties attract large numbers of visitors each year. Get the opportunity to soak in the hot springs at the traditional accommodation or in one of the public baths in town - a regenerating treat after days of cycling.

Overnight in Wakura Onsen.

Services Included:

Tour leader

Entrance Fees

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Wakura Onsen to JR Kanazawa Station: 1.5h (drive) Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station: 2h

Get ready for the journey to Kyoto, home to around 2,000 shrines and temples, 17 of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. A private car transfer will be provided for transfer from the ryokan to Kanazawa Station, where the limited Express train can be caught to Kyoto. On arrival, be escorted to the hotel in Kyoto by the tour leader.

In the afternoon, get an in-depth, exclusive look at Japan’s Geisha culture in Kyoto.

Late this afternoon join a guide for a walking tour of Gion, Kyoto’s Geisha district. First, walk along the Shirakawa Canal lined with cherry trees that are brimming with charm. Cross Kyoto’s famous Tatsumi Bashi Bridge, passing a legendary teahouse and small street shrine. Pass by restaurants on the way to Yasaka Shrine. From here continue to Hanami-koji where lavish tea shops line the roadside. Carry on to a theatre where Geisha and Maiko perform traditional dances. Enjoy this performance of traditional arts that Kyoto is famous for before heading out for a farewell dinner with the guide.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Services Included:

Tour Leader

One-way Train Transfer in ordinary class from  Wakura onsen to Kyoto Station

Half Day English Speaking Guide from Kyoto

Entrance Fees

Dinner with Maiko (Drinks not included)

Private Car

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Duration: 8 h Journey: approx. 20 km

Today, check-out and leave the luggage at the front desk.

Hop on the bikes and pedal a short distance to Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in the city.

Then cycle to Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Take a tour through this massive compound, stopping to admire its intricately painted sliding doors and unusual ‘chirping’ floors. Learn about the history of the castle and the symbolic meaning of its architecture.

Take quick lunch before returning to the bikes for a ride to Kinkaku-ji Temple. This beautiful structure was built as a retirement village of a shogun but, after his death, was converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The top two floors are covered in gold leaf, creating a resplendent image that is reflected in the temple’s tranquil pond.

Adjacent to Kinkaku-ji is another Zen Buddhist temple called Ryoan-ji. Ryoan-ji is home to one of Japan’s most famous rock gardens. Gaze upon this tranquil site while the guide explains the various legends associated with its origin.

Return to the bikes for one last visit. Pedal to scenic Arashiyama, an area famous for its bamboo forest, massive temples and vibrant alleyways. Spend time exploring this colourful neighbourhood before returning to central Kyoto where the tour concludes.  

The tour finishes here, the rest of the day is spent at leisure before moving to the next destination

Services Included:

Tour leader

Entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast