Bicycle, Hiking and Walking Trips in Japan
Wether you are in Japan for a one-month vacation, a business traveler with a free weekend, or a long-term resident too busy to get out on your own, our bike adventures give you everything you would expect from a bike tour in Japan - temples, traditional food, contact with the locals, and more. We are dying to share our knowledge of Japan - we will share and share and share some more until you tell us to shut-up.
Each tour is different, and tailored to different needs. Some are more adventurous, some are more luxurious, some are like boot camp, and some are like a lazy stroll in the park. Regardless, each tour contains varying degrees of:
- Adventure
- Exploration of "Place"
- Cultural History
- Natural History / Environment
- Natural and Built Beauty
- Physical Challenge
Description top
Ride through some of the most beautiful mountain areas of northern Nagano in all its autumn splendor. This trip will take you from metropolitan Nagano City, through traditional farm villages, and deep into the remote Akiyamago (Fall Mountain) Valley, famous not only for its beauty in autumn, but also for the harsh winters, short days, and steep terrain which have made it one of the most inhospitable (inhabited) areas in Japan.
Days include riding or walking - and, on one day, optional hiking - over a variety of terrain ranging from rolling hills, highland plateaus, and steep mountain passes. Of course, we have a support vehicle to help people up the hills (of course, we strongly suggest that everyone rides up to better appreciate the ride down).
While the longest day is only 60km, the terrain on short days and abundance of side trips are enough to ensure that even the most hard-core get a workout. Those who like to relax sometimes can also catch a ride on the support van, or leave the bikes with us and walk the steep parts. The moderate distances allow plenty of time so that you can enjoy the culture and history of the area even at walking pace.
Meals include full course traditional Japanese dinners, lunches at local soba shops, or mountain-top picnics featuring fresh, organic, local, and macrobiotic (based on traditional Japanese diet that focuses on a balance between yin and yang foods) dishes. You will even have the opportunity to dine with local farmers and their families in their home. No matter where it is, though, we will be there all the way to translate and facilitate conversation, as well as share the historic and cultural story of what you are eating, giving you a close-up view of rural life in Japan.
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Tentative Itinerarytop
This trip is planned for October 20-26 in the hopes of catching the fall colors at their peak - a time when we can expect mostly clear skies an cool temperatures ideal for riding.
NOTE: If you have read the description prior to Oct 1, please read it again. Due to some road-closings (typhoons will do that), climate change (fall is late this year), and to better fit the needs of customers who have already registered, the itinerary has changed slightly. All the important aspects - beautiful views, great food, discussions about Japanese culture and history, and physical satisfaction - still remain, but the daily routes have changed.
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Day 1 Nagano City - Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen (45km)
You will be met at Nagano station, less than 2hrs from Tokyo by bullet train. After being fitted to your bicycle, a short but thorough safety talk, and introductions to your guides and your fellow travelers, its time to hit the road. It won't be long before we leave behind the flat urban landscape of Nagano City and find ourselves winding upwards toward the Shiga Kogen.
Along the way, we will stop at a massive supermarket for a thorough tour with our own Japanese food expert. You will learn what all those strange looking foods are, how they are used, and how production has changed over the years.
We will continue on, beginning to climb toward Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen where we will will have a chance to see wild Japanese monkeys up close before arriving at our small family run ryokan inn for a well-deserved dinner and hot bath. After dinner, we will get to know each other more over a cup of hot tea or sake, and your guides will give you the finer details of the coming days' routes.
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Day 2 Yudanaka / Shibu Onsen - Nozawa Onsen (60km)
You won't want to get out of your heavenly futon, but yoga and a morning bath will help make it more bearable. Once everyone is fed and energized by a traditional Japanese breakfast, we hit the streets for a leisurely tour of the village, home to the first ski-lift in Japan. Along the way, we will have an opportunity to contemplate how traditional life here has developed into what we see today. We then mount our bikes once again for our longest day of riding. Much of the riding will be through well forested, gold and red mountain roads. Although it is a gradual up-hill climb, the course feels relatively level, with a few rolling hills followed by a short downhill cruise into Nozawa onsen. The area is now famous as a ski/hot-spring resort, but is home to a thousand years of pre-ski history which we will partake in as we dine on vegetables boiled in the natural hot springs and walk from public bath house to public bath house (Nozawa has 13 of them) in our cotton yukata robe.
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Day 3 Nozawa - Kettou (35km)
Leaving Nozawa, we will follow the Chikuma river down-stream through the traditional village of Sakae Mura. Despite being the lowest point in Nagano prefecture, Sakae Mura is known for its incredibly harsh winters. Sakae holds the record for the most accumulated snowfall in Japan in one season (8m) and the architecture and lifestyle of the people reflect this harsh reality.
While taking plenty of time for small country road detours, and an optional ride (or lift in the support vehicle) to the top of a mountain with views of the Japan Sea to the North and Akiyamago to the South. From the top of the mountain, the most adventurous can choose a dirt-road down through the Sakae ski area. Those content with a smooth cruise can take a paved road down. Both come with breath-taking views.
We will pass on through Sakae Mura (don't worry, we will return later), and into Tsunan village in Nigata Prefecture. Here we will ride over some of the most productive rice farming areas in Japan before reaching our goal - Kettou village, famous as the entrance to Akiyamago.
Those who want to be pampered will stay in a local inn. Those who want to rough it will sleep in a tent at a local shrine or park - everyone will enjoy a hot bath and amazing meal.
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Day 4 Kettou - Akiyamago (30km)
From Kettou Mura we will begin our journey into the infamous Akiyamago Valley, known for its long, harsh winters where only the strongest survive. Indeed, if we look closely we can still see remnants of villages that have disappeared in winters past. The remaining villages are sparsely scattered over amazingly steep terrain. Despite being deep in the shadow of the 2000+ meter Mt. Torikabuto and hence subject to short days, Akiyamago is brilliant in the fall - as testified to by its name, which means "Autumn Mountain". We will reach our destination deep in the valley - a historic inn with 100 meter long covered paths necessary to make the bungalows accessible in winter when everything is covered with 8 metres of snow.
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We will follow the journey of Bokushi, the author that made Akiyamago famous after writing about his travels here over one hundred years ago. You will learn about life in Japan's infamous snow-country - without having to spend a night in sub-zero temperatures. We will take time to chat with the locals, have tea and listen to their stories of growing up in the snow-country, explore traditional thatch roofed houses and, if we're lucky, have a chance to help out with some farm work and preparation for the long winter ahead.
Day 5 Akiyamago - Mt. Naeba (hike)
An early breakfast followed by a full days hike to the mountain hut atop Mt Naeba (2145m), one of Japan's "hyakumeisan" (famous one-hundred mountains) awaits you on Day 5. The road will be challenging, and the views amazing.
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Day 6 Mt. Naeba - Noyosa-no-ri
A night at the Naeba hut, an early morning to watch the sun rise from over 2,000 meters. Nothing can make a breakfast taste better - no matter what it is. Regardless, we will pack in fresh ingredients for a gourmet breakfast to ensure that you have the energy to make the trek back down a different path.
As a reward for your efforts, there will be a room waiting for you at Noyosa-no-sato, an inn deep in the Akiyamago Vally built in the traditional architectural styles of the area and filled with historical artifacts and photos that we will be on hand to explain in more detail than you probably want to hear.
It goes without saying that a bath awaits your tired body, and when you retire to your room, you may find yourself passing through one of the one-hundred meter covered paths - a neccesity for winter when three meters of snow regularly accumulates.
Day 7 Akiyamago - Sakae
Your last day will be another amazing bike ride from your inn back down the other side of the Akiyama Vally.
After breakfast, we will take a short ride further up the vally to the end of the road. Here we will enjoy a hot spring bath in the river - hand-dug by yourself with no walls or buildings to block your view. (of course swimsuits are the norm in this bath)
From the here, the deepest point in the Akiyamago Vally, we will begin our decent to the more populated area of Sakae Mura. Along the way we will stop to explore small settlements including a national heritage site - a traditional farm house still inhabited by descendants of it's builder.
The trip will officially end with a small sayonara ceremony near the train station. However, those with a little more time on their hands are invited to stay a few more days and join the volunteer traditional thatch roof preservation project. Volunteers will have a chance to join locals to harvest kaya, the material used for traditional thatched roofs in Japan. Volunteers will receive a free nights stay at a local inn, including three meals. More Details Here
Requirements top
This course requires only two things from its participants - an average level of physical fitness, and above average curiosity.
Curiosity
The number one requirement to get the most out of this course is curiosity and willingness to explore. At One Life Japan we see ourselves as "facilitators", rather than guides. We are anxious to share our knowledge with you, but this is not a passive bus tour. We provide the framework and engaging topics for exploratory learning, but it is up to you, as a participant, to define what you want to take away, and then to take the initiative to find ways to reach those goals. We want to be there to support you and help you all the way.
Moderate Physical Fitness
The course is designed to be moderately physically challenging and take advantage of Japan's abundant natural settings. Ideally, participants should be able to cycle from 30 to 70 kilometers per day. We have planned a relatively short course in terms of actual kilometers, but there are a few challenging uphills. There is always the option to catch a ride in the support van, but we try to encourage participants to push themselves on the uphills - making the downhills and bath that much more rewarding.
What to Expect (A Sample Day) top
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While each day is different, with its own unique activities and highlights, a typical day might look like this:
7:00 Wake Up / morning dip in onsen bath / Yoga
8:00 Traditional Japanese Breakfast
9:00 Discuss Days Plan over green tea or coffee
9:30 Stretch & Depart on days route
12:00 Picnic lunch overlooking beautiful scenery (followed by a nap?)
13:00 Ride on. (passing through mountains, small villages, or cities)
15:00 Stop to explore an interesting museum, chat with farmers, or learn to make soba - then continue on
18:00 Arrive at your inn, get settled, prepare for bath
19:30 Traditional local full course dinner / discuss the days findings
21:00 Take an evening stroll
22:00 Retire to your comfortable futon for a well deserved sleep
Pricing and What's Included top
All-inclusive Bike Tour
We design our all-inclusive tours so that you wont have to look at a credit card for the entire duration:
7 days: 190,000 JPY/person Register
3 days: 65,000 JPY/person Register
2 days: 35,000 JPY/person Register
Customizable Bike Tour
However, we also are strong believers in flexibility and blazing your own path. We also offer a highly customizable, less pampered version of the tour (see what's included) for:
7 days: 91,000 JPY/person Register
3 days: 39,000 JPY/person Register
2 days: 23,000 JPY/person Register
The all-inclusive prices include:
Bikes: Our cross country touring bikes are specially customized make your trip the most comfortable and enjoyable possible. Our frames are sturdy, stable, and light-weight, fitted with ultra-comfortable seats, handle bars and grips. Pannier saddle bags allow you to easily carry warm clothing, water, snacks, and any souvenirs you pick-up along the way.
Accommodation: You will be staying in family run inns in small mountain villages and popular onsen towns, as well as one night with local farming family. Every night offers a hot-spring bath, comfortable traditional cotton yukata robe, and a oh-so-heavenly futon on a traditional straw tatami floor. One of our main concerns when choosing accommodation is the friendliness and openness of the owners and staff, and we will be there the entire time to translate and facilitate communication
Meals: Perhaps the most important part of any trip to Japan is the food. While the well-known sushi and sukiyaki are available, we seek out local, traditional meals that have developed in the region over the centuries defining and being defined by the local culture and history. Wherever possible we choose fresh, local ingredients grown by farmers we know - you will even get to meet some of them. Lunches will either be at local restaurants or luxurious picnics with macrobiotic, traditional vegetarian and zen foods overlooking beautiful mountain valleys in their full autumn splendor.
Entrance Fees: All museums, baths, festivals, and any other entrance fees are covered so you are free to go anywhere and do anything your wanderlust takes you.
Guides & Communication Facilitation: You have the option of riding with bilingual guides that have studied the area and culture and are anxious to share as much as you want to hear, and probably a lot you didn't even know you wanted to hear. (Of course, we will shut-up if you ask nicely). Alternatively, you can strike our on your own with scheduled meeting points. Either way, we will be available every step of the journey, whether you are trying to communicate with your host for the night, the old man at the vegetable stand, or trying to find a certain color of kimono for that perfect souvenir. We also provide printed translations of important museum exhibits and explanation of various foods and interesting cultural artifacts found along the way. A highlight of the tour is a trip to a supermarket where our guide and professional chef points out interesting foods and explains how they are used and their history.
Support Vehicle: Not only do we carry your luggage and have elaborate picnic lunches waiting at the perfect lookout point, but we also carry people when needed. If you would rather spend more time at a museum or napping on a mountain top while the rest of the group rides on, our support vehicle will help you catch up. Want to walk instead of ride? The support vehicle will take your bike to the next meeting point. Had enough up-hills for the day? Our support vehicle will carry you to the top leaving you to enjoy the cruise down.
Cell phone & Internet: Although we would like to keep people immersed in the the trip and Japanese culture, we have cell-phones so you can keep in touch with our support vehicle and interpreter whenever needed, as well as a roaming Internet connection in case you need to respond to an important email - or just send some photos and brag to your friends about where you are.
Maps: We have made easy to follow English maps with important landmarks and points of interest highlighted. We even give you a pen to keep notes on the map of the one of a kind encounters and experiences you have along the way.
Professional Photographer: Photos of you, your fellow adventurers, and the people you meet on your journey, edited and collected into one CD with large-size prints of the really good shots. The photos are also uploaded to a professionally designed web-based scrap-book/blog so you can share your journey with your friends and family.
The Customizable Tour price includes:
Course: The course will generally be the same as the all-inclusive course - with possibly more flexibility in terms of daily start and end points. If you are not tired, and don't have a reservation for the night, you can ride as far as you like.
Bikes & Gear: You get the same high-quality, comfortable bikes as the all-inclusive tour, as well as all gear (tents, pannier bike bags, water bottles, sleeping bags & mats, etc.) needed to make your adventure an adventure.
Accommodation: The base price includes tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad rental. We will help you find an ideal place to pitch tent (usually a temple, shrine, park, or farmer's field). This is our favorite way to travel, and if possible we will pitch a tent right next to you. If you decide that you would like to stay at an inn or youth hostel, we will make the arrangements. There is, however, no guarantee of available rooms unless you make the booking in advance. We will do this for you for an 18% charge.
On the Autumn tour in Akiyamago, we highly recommend (almost want to require) one small mountain inn run by an old ex-hunter. If you would like to have this included in your trip, let us know and we will make the reservation for no extra charge. There is also a possibility of spending the night at a local farmer's home. While it may be "free", you will be expected to bring a gift. We will assist you in picking something appropriate. Finally
Meals: Enjoy the freedom of eating what you want when you want - along with the thrill of uncertainty at what will be available around the next curve. Meals are not included in the price and anything you eat will be on a pay-as-you go basis. The support van may not be there to carry your fresh lunch to the mountain top, but you may instead find a local farmer to buy fresh veggies from, which you will carry in your pack, to the lunch point.
Entrance Fees: Any museums, baths, festivals, and any other entrance fees are on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Guides & Communication Facilitation: You have the option of riding with bilingual guides that have studied the area and culture and are anxious to share as much as you want to hear, and probably a lot you didn't even know you wanted to hear. (Of course, we will shut-up if you ask nicely). Alternatively, you can strike our on your own with scheduled meeting points. Either way, we will be available every step of the journey, whether you are trying to communicate with your host for the night, the old man at the vegetable stand, or trying to find a certain color of kimono for that perfect souvenir. We also provide printed translations of important museum exhibits and explanation of various foods and interesting cultural artifacts found along the way. A highlight of the tour is a trip to a supermarket where our guide and professional chef points out interesting foods and explains how they are used and their history.
Support Vehicle: While the support van may be available as it assists all-inclusive guests, there is no guarantee that there will be space for you. You will carry all required gear and food with you as you ride, and you will be expected to ride the entire course - up and down. On the other hand, you will enjoy your bed and beer more than those who catch a lift!
Maps: We have made easy to follow English maps with important landmarks and points of interest highlighted. We even give you a pen to keep notes on the map of the one of a kind encounters and experiences you have along the way.
Professional Photographer: Photos of you, your fellow adventurers, and the people you meet on your journey, edited and collected into one CD available for purchase along with large-size prints of the really good shots. The photos are also uploaded to a professionally designed web-based scrap-book/blog so you can share your journey with your friends and family.