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JAPAN'S NOTO PENINSULA
A visit to Japan will be filled with contradictions to the senses, so come prepared to experience a rich history that dates back centuries and see the latest modern trends in fashion and electronics; visit beautiful forests, mountains and sea coasts as well as futuristic architecture and transportation; meet polite and candid locals as well as lovers of Hello Kitty and karaoke.
Let the idiosyncrasies of Japan reveal themselves as our trip takes us from crowded urban Tokyo to rustic Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan.
We'll cycle along coastal roads where we will pass sand dunes, caves and fantastic rock formations, terraced rice paddies as well as ancient temples and shrines. After seeing the incredible blue green waters you might want to stop at a beach for a dip. For the shopper in you we'll stop at Wajima, famous for its lacquer ware and morning market that specializes in fish.
From Wajima we'll detour into the peninsula's interior to see Tokikuni Old House. As this is a long day of biking, 90 km, we'll head back to our magnificent inn where you can take in the views of the bay and relax. From Noto we'll ride around Notojima Island, where you'll have glimpses of snow-covered peaks of the Japanese Alps. We'll stay in Japanese-style lodging and experience an authentic onsen, or hot spring, in one of Japan's more famous "Onsen Towns."
Our journey will then take us to Kanazawa - city of castles and three of Japan's major gardens. After exploring the samurai and geisha areas of the city we'll head to the UNESCO site of Shirakawago, an area known for three-storey, nail-free "clasped hands" thatched roof houses located at the base of Mount Hakusan. From there a visit to Takayama's old town will place you back in the Edo Period (1600-1868).
We'll end our trip in Kyoto, an easy place for Western visitors to amble around the Geisha District of Gion, Ryugen-in Temple, Japan's most famous Zen rock garden, Nijo Castle, or Kiyomizu Temple.
TRIP PROFILE
The cycling around Noto Peninsula is moderately challenging with a few climbs but there is abundant vehicle support to help ensure your comfort. We ride 440 km on quiet roads with amazing views. The first few days riding are undulating, giving you ample time to warm up for the inclines towards the end of the trip, but averagely fit cyclists will have no problems. The trip is fully supported; an air-conditioned bus follows us for the entire journey, so exhausted riders can skip the tougher sections if they wish.
| ITINERARY (11 days/10 nights starting in Tokyo and finishing in Kyoto) | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive and stay at hotel near Tokyo Station. |
| Day 2 | Travel by bullet train to Takaoka where we start our ride along the coast, and maybe do a stretch along the beach. |
| Day 3 | Heading towards the fishing port of Wajima we’ll take the time to stop and look at the splendid rock formations. |
| Day 4 | The longest cycling day of the trip takes us to the tip of Noto Penninusla and past the famous terraced rice fields of Senmaid. |
| Day 5 | Crossing to Notojima Island we spend the day riding to one of Japan's more famous Onsen (hot spring) towns. |
| Day 6 | After a bit of a climb, ride along a bike path to the garden city of Kanazawa. |
| Day 7 | Free day to rest or explore one of Japan’s best preserved Edo-period cities. |
| Day 8 | Today we head into the mountains for a few good climbs and then explore Shirakawago, a World Heritage site. |
| Day 9 | The last day of riding takes us besides an impressive dam before heading up over two nice passes. |
| Day 10 | Jump on a morning train to Kyoto with time free explore the city. |
| Day 11 | Free day to visit the various districts of Kyoto. |
| FACTS & FIGURES | |
|---|---|
| Tour Cost | US$4,500 Single Supplement (on request) |
| Bike Rental | US$150 |
| Total Distance | 440 kilometers |
| Number of Days | 11days/10 nights |
| Number of Cycling Days | 6 full days/ 1 half day |
| Road Surface | 100% on paved surfaces |
| Group Size | Minimum 4, maximum 16 |
| Vehicle Support | This tour is fully supported by a dedicated support vehicle. |
| Staff Support | SpiceRoads cycling leader (for groups of 10 or more), plus a local cycling guide, as well as drivers and assistants for all groups. Smaller groups will be led by our local guide and support team. |
| Accomodation | We will switch between western-style hotels (6 nights) and traditional Japanese Ryokans (4 nights), or inns, where we sleep on futons, and share bathrooms and hotspring baths. |
| Meals | All set meals are provided for on this tour, with the exception of the first day, the rest day and the last day. |
| Biking Grade |
There are a few steep climbs.
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| Scenery and Culture |
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