This 9-day/8-night "Japan's Triangle Ride" offers an immersive cycling and cultural journey across Japan. Highlights include scenic rides around Mt. Tsukuba, Lake Biwa, the Shimanami Kaido, a Michelin-starred dinner, wine tastings, traditional ceremonies, and a thrilling tidal whirlpool cruise while staying in quality hotels throughout.
Your adventure begins with a comfortable train journey from Ueno to Tsuchiura station which caters specifically to cyclists. Here you'll be warmly greeted by your guides, given a brief orientation then go downstairs to be fitted on your bike.
Heading out from the station you'll ride along a well-maintained, flat cycling tarmac, originally a railroad, offering beautiful views of lotus fields, rice fields, and the majestic Tsukuba Mountain.
After a brief stop at Oda castle ruins, we ascend Tsukuba Mountain for a substantial climb, leading to Tsukuba Shrine, where you can explore the shrine and ancient trees.
Enjoy a huge and delicious hamburger lunch at Cafe Nisyouan, where vegetarian options can be requested.
Afterward, descend the mountain on a steep and fun ride to the Minanogawa sake brewery, where you can learn about their traditional methods and enjoy a tasting before transferring to your hotel.
Your day concludes with a dinner at the hotel with mountain views and a soak in a traditional Japanese onsen outdoor bath.
Overnight in Tsukub
Inclusions:
🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
After breakfast we transfer to Lake Kasumigaura, Japan's second-largest lake.
Make a brief and enjoyable stop at Kasumi Kitchen for terrific musubi. Your ride will take you off the main course onto rolling hills and farmland, offering a welcomed change of scenery and fun riding conditions.
Enjoy a local lunch and continue cycling before stopping for a huge and refreshing kakigori (shave-ice) at the charming Kura Cafe, located in an old stone warehouse.
Conclude your Ibaraki cycling experience with a scenic one-hour ferry ride on the White Iris, bringing you and your bikes back to Tsuchiura, offering a pleasant alternative to cycling the entire lake.
We return from Tsuchiura station and check into Hotel BEB5, a cycling-centric property where you can bring your bike into your room, followed by an exquisite traditional kaiseki multicourse dinner offering a lovely garden view.
Overnight in Tsuchiura
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Today we leave from Tsuchiura station for a seamless bullet train transfer - enjoy the scenery on a comfortable journey to Moriyama via Tokyo and Kyoto, arriving refreshed and ready for new experiences.
In Moriyama, you'll be treated to an outstanding lunch at Katataya Soba restaurant, housed in a lovely traditional 1831 building with a fantastic atmosphere and excellent vegetarian options.
Afterwards, experience the fun of being professionally dressed in a yukata, allowing you to immerse yourself in local culture and capture beautiful photos. Next, engage in a delightful traditional sweets making experience at Turuya Bisyu, a unique shop founded in the Edo period, culminating in a charming tea ceremony.
Check into the magnificent Lake Biwa Marriott, a resort property with spacious rooms, some offering private outdoor onsens and amazing lake and mountain views. Indulge in a lovely set course dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Overnight in Moriyama
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Start your day with breakfast stunning views of lake Biwa where you will be cycling soon. Head downstairs to the onsite Giant Store to pick up your high-quality bike and embark on your cycling journey around Lake Biwa to Omihachiman.
After a 30km ride we stop in historic Omihachiman and ascend to the castle ruins via ropeway, where you'll be rewarded with spectacular views and fascinating history. After descending we tour the charming canals and shops of Omihachiman and then cycle to La Colina - an amazing outdoor complex of Japan's largest confectionery manufacturer, Taneya, featuring grass-covered shops and cafes.
After lunch, continue your ride north to Makino, where you'll discover some of the best cycling routes with shaded roads, minimal traffic, and enjoyable rolling hills.
End your day with a comfortable stay at Makino Grand Park Hotel, offering a charming lodge feel with nice views of the lake from your room.
Overnight in Makino
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Begin your day with a morning lakeside ride to the Shurahige Shrine where you can enjoy the serene surroundings. We next cycle to Lake Biwa Valley and take a gondola 1,5000 meters to a mountain tip lunch offering incredible panoramic views.
After descending, we transfer to Onjo-ji Temple, one of Japan's four great temples, and explore its vast and sprawling grounds.
Finally, embark on a scenic bike ride to the stunning Yanmar Sunset Marina Clubhouse, a fashionable and modern hotel on the lake with rooms offering floor-to-ceiling lake views and private balconies. Indulge in one of the most enjoyable and delicious meals of your life at their intimate restaurant featuring an open kitchen and locally sourced ingredients—a truly exceptional culinary experience.
Overnight in Moriyama
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Enjoy a delightful in-room breakfast before a comfortable transfer to Moriyama station for your train journey to the port town of Onomichi.
Upon arrival in Onomichi, pick up your high-quality Specialized Vado eBikes, offering a fantastic ride. Savor a fresh and delicious lunch at Hotel U2, a premiere cycling hotel housed in a trendy old fish processing factory.
Begin your island hopping adventure by taking a short ferry ride to Mukaishima and begin cycling the scenic backroads giving glimpses into rural island life. Leaving the island and continuing cycling across bridges to Innoshima and Ikushijima islands, stopping at Setoda to view the cave of 1000 Buddhas and conclude your day's ride at Hotel Wakka, a beautiful seaside cyclists hotel with stunning cottage accommodations facing the sea and views of the Tatara Bridge.
Tonight, you are whisked away by private water taxi to experience an unforgettable Michelin-starred sushi dinner at Akakichi. Chef Akase, with 20 years of collaboration with renowned fisherman Fujimoto, will prepare the freshest sushi before your eyes, while his charismatic presence and his wife's excellent English translation enhance this intimate and delightful culinary journey.
Overnight in Omishima
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Begin your day with a lovely breakfast on Wakka’s terrace, overlooking the tranquil ocean.
At 10 AM, embark on Wakka’s private fishing boat, where you’ll learn to cast and reel, enjoying a relaxing, fun experience - and the fish you catch will be grilled for dinner later!
Next, we cycle to Filer, a charming local French restaurant housed in a restored Meiji-era house, where you’ll savor a delicious and intimate lunch prepared by a delightful husband-and-wife team, with vegetarian options available.
We next cycle to the picturesque vineyards of Minna no Winery for an informative and intimate tour, learning about their unique grape cultivation and winemaking techniques. Visit the architecturally interesting winery and then enjoy a delightful wine tasting in a former city hall building, appreciating the wonderful people and stories behind the wines.
Afterward, we walk (no riding after drinking) and visit the Oyamazumi Shrine, with its rich naval history and pretty grounds.
Conclude your day with a delightful BBQ at Wakka, including the fish you caught earlier, a pleasant and fun outdoor dining experience.
Overnight in Omishima
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Today, enjoy a very enjoyable two-hour rolling ride, eventually stopping at the Murakami Pirate Museum, where you can explore interesting artifacts and history. After the museum, enjoy a local ramen lunch at Suigun.
Next, embark on a thrilling 30-minute boat trip to experience the legendary Setouchi tidal whirlpools, a powerful and highly recommended diversion. Your skilled boatsman gets you right next to the cascading water moving at 20km per hour!
Continue your ride to the iconic Kirosan Observatory, a rewarding 300-meter climb with breathtaking views of the Shimanami Kaido. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the space is a true highlight.
Finally conclude your incredible cycling journey by crossing the majestic Kurushima Kaiyo Bridge, the world's first triple suspension bridge.
Saying goodbye to your bike, your transfer awaits to bring you to the Kokusai Hotel with its large onsen and commanding views. Dinner tonight is an elegant affair at one of the many restaurants located on the property.
Overnight in Imabari
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
After a local breakfast with so much to choose from, either make your way to other destinations or explore deeper the many charms of the Seto inland sea.
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast
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