If it’s not the world-class snowboarding within the winter or Mt. Fuji, a lot of the hyped imagery round Japan is the neon lights of Shibuya Crossing, the crush of bars in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, or the irrationally widespread Operating Man signal alongside Dotonburi canal. That, and the bizarre meals.
However get outdoors the mega-metropolis of Tokyo, temple-filled Kyoto, and deceptively chill Osaka, and there’s a way more attention-grabbing aspect of Japan to find. And, naturally, one of the simplest ways to do this is by bike.
Experience & Search affords simply such a chance with their Samurai Biking Tour, a two-parter that begins in northern and central Honshu (principally the center of Japan), then finishes with a tour round Shikoku Island, the big island simply west of Osaka. All in, it’s almost a month of driving, together with bonus loops round Mt. Fuji, however you may break it up into elements as wanted. If that feels like enjoyable, right here’s the whole lot it’s essential to know, plus tales from our expertise driving the Shikoku Islands stage with them in Might 2024…
About Experience & Search
Experience & Search is a worldwide biking tour operator, with multi-day to multi-week excursions all around the world. Most have a slight theme based mostly on the situation, with the objective being to immerse you into the tradition greater than you may do by yourself. In addition they deal with all on-the-ground logistics and, if wanted, can advise on coordinating journey, bicycle transportation, and so on.
That logistics half is essential, particularly in Japan. Not solely is the language barrier increased, however discovering good accommodations in the midst of nowhere is tough. Discovering eating places (any restaurant) that can be open whenever you want them to be is even more durable. And even when they’re open, as a foreigner, they might flip you away…not as a result of they don’t like foreigners, however as a result of they’d fairly say no than threat offering sub-par service. That, otherwise you wanted a reservation in order that they might have the meals and workers available. It’s difficult, however Experience & Search handles all that and way more for you.
They’ve a main staff for every location, then contract with vetted locals as wanted based mostly on group measurement. There’s all the time 1-2 guides driving with the group, and one particular person (or extra, as wanted) in assist autos. For the Japan journey, they coated breakfast and dinner, and we had been on our personal for lunches most days (see the “meals” part additional all the way down to see why).
In addition they arrange snack stops a number of occasions every day, with a mixture of native treats, candies, and snacks you’re unlikely to search out at dwelling. Plus sports activities drink, sodas, power bars, and extra.
The guides additionally embody snack stops at native spots, like this cafe that serves an egg and banana…and low (and that’s it). Different occasions it’s a small store that has native baked items, jams, jellies, ice cream, and different treats. That is the native data that’s laborious to get by yourself, which is among the huge perks of an organized tour.
Japan has numerous merchandising machines that serve each cold and hot espresso, koucha and ocha (black and inexperienced teas), but when none are close by, our guides made pour-over espresso, too.
Snacks are arrange on the finish of every day’s journey, too, so we might refuel earlier than hitting the onsens (scorching baths) and enjoyable earlier than preparing for dinner.
Bogs are plentiful, too. Japan has an abundance of public bogs, they usually’re nearly all the time clear, well-stocked, and plenty of have heated bathroom seats with bidets. Oddly, most do not have cleaning soap or towels, and hand dryers are sporadic, so it’s a good suggestion to deliver alongside a small factor of hand sanitizer, or use the one offered by the guides on the snack stops.
Pre-trip assist is great, with loads of documentation. As soon as we arrived, an data packet had printed particulars for every day plus widespread Japanese greetings and phrases, which is a useful reference.
There’s additionally a pre-trip app that has a lot of the identical data if you happen to choose display to paper, or simply wish to have a fast reference to the day’s route when you’re out driving.
The guides additionally present each day route information by means of Experience With GPS, and may also help you get them onto your biking computer systems, too. You’ll have to create a free RWGPS account upfront, and it’s useful if you know the way to get a route onto your system. Most days provide brief and lengthy routes, so you may get extra driving and climbing if you would like, however sometimes even the brief routes will hit all the scenic highlights.
Supported, not rushed
One of many issues I appreciated finest about Experience & Search is that there’s a really free agenda. You’ve gotten a breakfast time and a time for supper, after which a complete lot of hours in between.
We had been in a position to journey at our personal tempo, cease and take as many images (foolish or in any other case) as we wished, discover the temples and villages, and customarily create the expertise we wished.
For us, that’s excellent. Even when we weren’t documenting the expertise for this story, we like stopping and exploring, as you’ll see within the images under (plus extra on our private Instas – @tylerbenedict and @collective.wild).
It’s additionally excellent as a result of the hammerheads can hammer, and the slower of us can mosey. It means you may deliver alongside buddies or household of various ranges and everybody can benefit from the journey. There’s no stress to maintain up, and no expectation to attend up.
That stated, everybody ought to be in fine condition and in a position to comfortably deal with 40 to 70 miles/day for 8+ consecutive days, and repair a flat and different little issues that will go mistaken. So long as you make it to dinner, you might be as autonomous as you want.
Biking by means of Shikoku
I’ve mountain biked close to Nagano, simply east of Experience & Search’s Honshu Stage of the Samurai Cycle Tour, and it’s rad. For this Shikoku stage, the terrain was utterly new to me however, regardless of being a bit extra coastal, it was simply as mountainous.
Our eight days of driving had a claimed 24,800 ft of climbing (7,560m) with a mean of simply 53 miles per day. That’s a hair over 3k ft of climbing per day, although some days undoubtedly had greater than others.
Japan’s inhabitants is clustered within the huge cities for a purpose – it’s impractical to construct anyplace else. Their main cities are typically surrounded by both the ocean or mountains. These mountains are so steep, they usually get a lot rain, that it merely isn’t possible to construct there. When you head out and up, site visitors and folks shortly disappear.
Shikoku is much more distant. There aren’t any main cities on it, and just a few bridges (and even fewer trains) connecting it. Which makes it an incredible place to journey if you wish to discover a extra historical aspect of Japan.
Our route adopted elements of the Kobo Daishi pilgrimage path, which has 88 temples, and climbed over the very best mountain in Western Japan (Mt Ishizuchi, 1,982m / 6,502ft).
The upside to all that rain is that the roads are nearly all completely paved. Or, at the very least, very effectively maintained. Even in essentially the most distant areas, the roads may be single-lane, however they’re clean and quick.
The place a lot of the world would depart these forest service roads and connectors as grime or gravel, Japan’s voluminous rain means they’d be grading, repairing, and changing them continually. They’d wash away too shortly. So that they pave them. Which means gravel biking is more durable to search out in Japan, nevertheless it additionally means infinite ribbons of lovely, traffic-free roads by means of lush inexperienced forests and epic mountains.
A lot of the days are spent crossing the inside of the island by means of a mixture of villages, rice paddies, and mountain roads. Loads of selection, and loads of climbing!
There are many miles alongside rivers, and plenty of small bridges to cross only for enjoyable and views.
Wildlife
Hold an eye fixed out for the Tanuki, aka “Japanese Racoon Canine”. For those who’ve ever performed Tremendous Mario Brothers and thought you had been carrying a racoon go well with, assume once more. It’s additionally in Animal Crossing.
Tanuki statues are massively widespread, discovered outdoors nearly each door we handed. They supposedly deliver good luck, but in addition symbolize belief, success, safety, and extra, relying on how they’re dressed.
Nearer to the coast you’ll discover small crabs. I additionally discovered a large toad, fireplace stomach newt, and…
…an enormous Japanese Blue Worm, actually one of many coolest creatures I’ve ever seen. There are additionally monkeys, deer, and extra, plus massive black birds that look and sound like ravens however are literally a big Jungle Crow.
Additionally value noting: Virtually each nook has a mirror so you may see what’s coming across the bend. It’s very useful, letting you’re taking the corners a little bit faster and have extra enjoyable with out being shocked. They work very well, however clearly, it is best to nonetheless use warning.
Shimanami Kaido Bikeway & the Bridges
The journey finishes alongside the southern coast, then one other day inland, then a fast practice switch to complete issues off with the wonderful 60km+ lengthy Shimanami Kaido bikeway, a sequence of suspension bridges and 6 small islands that hyperlink Shikoku with the primary island of Honshu.
Japan has invested in biking tourism right here in attention-grabbing methods. Whereas there are “Blue Line” cycle paths marked alongside comparable coastal roads on the Kii Peninsula (south of Osaka and Nara), these are extra closely trafficked and lined with companies. I rode a few of these sections after this tour and ended up shifting again into the mountains to get away from the vehicles.
On Shikoku, although, it’s so distant and disconnected that there’s little or no site visitors, even on lovely coastal roads like these.
Probably the most spectacular funding is the bikeway that was constructed into the suspension bridges connecting Shikoku to Honshu. It was purpose-built with separate biking lanes and, in some circumstances, even separate lanes for scooters, too.
The recognition of it’s obvious from the variety of rental bikes we noticed, and teams of informal cyclists. It nonetheless wasn’t crowded, however undoubtedly extra riders across the bridges than anyplace else we rode.
And for good purpose – it’s actually cool. The ramps main as much as and down from the bridge loop round in circles and determine eights and are fairly enjoyable…
…and the views from up prime are stellar:
It’s a superb option to end, and the final evening’s lodge is one thing particular, too. It’s one of many few with out an onsen, nevertheless it’s totally trendy, cycle themed, and the dinner consists of 90 minutes of all-you-can drink…if you happen to’re into that type of factor.
Meals and extra
Breakfast and all however one dinner is included within the tour, and all of us ate collectively for each.
The host accommodations all served a full Japanese breakfast, which is plenty of small plates of issues you may combine collectively in your mouth to create totally different flavors. Or not. They had been largely good, all the time attention-grabbing, and because of the limitless rice, all the time sufficient. Truthfully, if you happen to’re not an adventurous eater, breakfasts can be powerful until you hunt down your personal…which will even be powerful because of the distant location of most of our accommodations.
(We rode previous numerous 7-Elevens, Lawsons, and Household Marts, which all have loads of different choices…and wonderful fried rooster, severely).
Every restaurant served an identical multi-dish dinner, often in waves that ended up being a LOT of meals. And numerous seafood, some in types and flavors you’ll undoubtedly not acknowledge. Candied fish, anybody?
As a lot as all of us, and there was a mixture of Individuals, Europeans, and Brits on the tour, had been craving a burger by evening 5, the meals is a part of the expertise and excellent. Sometimes, Japanese don’t eat like this – it’s numerous work. Nevertheless it’s what you’ll discover when staying at traditional-style accommodations and ryokans. Right here’s a gallery of extra of our meals (click on any picture to enlarge):
Which is why it’s cool that we get to decide on our personal lunches:
Our guides had strategies, however some spots had a number of choices. And we sought out takoyaki stands after we noticed them. It’s pan-fried dough balls with octopus in them, coated in a wide range of sauces and seasonings. Very scrumptious, and a preferred snack in Japan.
An enormous, scorching bowl of pork ramen with the particular egg can be an incredible, filling choice. I undoubtedly suggest asking for it oomori (massive portion) with an additional serving of pork (a regular serving is often solely 2-3 slices).
I additionally strongly suggest wanting round. The really useful lunch spot(s) is/are often a “protected” choice, however we discovered meals vehicles throughout the road with far more attention-grabbing dishes. This one smoked and seared contemporary Bonito proper in entrance of us, then sliced, seasoned, and plated it with pickled greens and extra. It was wonderful, and amazingly low cost…roughly $6 USD.
Don’t be afraid to discover, that’s the explanation they go away lunch as much as you. Take benefit!
Additionally, strive the native drinks, and take a look at the ice cream part on the konbini (comfort shops)…plenty of tasty treats there! Some eating places had sake flights so you may strive native and regional sake, too.
Word: Whereas breakfast and dinners are included, alcoholic drinks are in your dime for many meals, as is lunch and additional snacks, and so on. I like to recommend bringing about 20,000 yen in money with you, and use the ATMs at each c-store if you happen to want extra. Not each retailer or cafe takes bank cards.
Resorts & Sizzling Baths
The accommodations had been a mixture of Western-style and conventional ryokan, the place you lay out sleeping mats on the tatami flooring at evening. Or, if you happen to’re driving buddy snores, you allow their pad within the closet and shut the door…
Typically, you wish to take your sneakers off as quickly as you enter your room, however all the time for rooms with tatami mat flooring. One lodge had a shared rest room on the corridor and offered bathtub slippers, so that you’d swap out of your room slippers to the bathtub slippers, then again. You’ll additionally take off your sneakers and slippers earlier than coming into the onsen.
Onsens
An Onsen (ōn-sin) is greater than a scorching tub, it’s a public bathtub. The place Scandinavian cultures go to scorching springs to soak, Japanese go to bathe.
However don’t fear, nobody’s scrubbing within the scorching swimming pools. Showers line the doorway, and everybody is anticipated to totally cleanse themselves earlier than coming into the water. Many individuals spend extra time cleansing than soaking, however the way you get pleasure from it’s as much as you…after you’re showered.
Virtually all are separated for women and men and don’t permit garments, telephones, cameras, meals, drinks, or tattoos. Sure, you need to get bare, dems the principles. Resorts with onsens, of which most had them throughout our tour, present robes to put on to and from the baths, and small wash towels that additionally make nice modesty items if you happen to’re uncomfortable strolling round naked.
There are some out of doors spots with foot soaks, that are co-ed, and sometimes you’ll find a scorching spring feeding right into a river that’s public. However most onsens and baths are non-public and separated.
These are a spotlight of the journey. Soaking after a protracted journey is wonderful, and particularly on the cooler days. This journey is obtainable twice per yr, in Might and October. The Might journey ends simply as southern Japan is about to enter its wet season, so there’s a very good likelihood of sprinkles. We had a few days with showers, however nothing critical, and nothing that stopped us from driving. Convey a rain jacket, and soak within the onsen after!
Notes & extra images
Our guides Nate & Eri had been nice. Tremendous pleasant, comfortable to assist with something, and had the logistics dialed, baggage loaded and unloaded, and lodge check-ins coated earlier than we even completed the journey every day. All we needed to do was present up, journey, and luxuriate in ourselves, which is precisely what you’d need and count on from a full-service guided tour like this. They took turns driving and driving the van, so we received to know every of them…after we might sustain – they’re each rippers up and down the mountain!
For those who’re searching for a well-structured, expertly-guided biking tour, I like to recommend trying out Experience & Search’s in depth journey catalog. And if you happen to’re all in favour of Japan, take a look at their Samurai Biking Tour. We loved ourselves immensely, thanks each to the guides’ tales and intel, and in addition as a result of we might discover on our personal, too. The route was the right combination of laborious and enjoyable, with loads of brief detours to be discovered if you would like.
Nate even waited as much as loop us by means of a small alley with an area brewery so we might seize a bottle for later, they usually identified cool outlets and native treats alongside the way in which.
Independently, and away from the guides, Steve and I additionally requested the opposite members what they considered the tour. They largely echoed our sentiments, which is spectacular contemplating they ranged in age from late 20s to 82! Plus, everybody’s biking expertise and private backgrounds diversified significantly, too, so the consensus confirmed our opinions in one of the simplest ways.
It additionally made for an attention-grabbing week, speaking to everybody, making new buddies, and sharing our collective images and tales from every day. It’s all the time attention-grabbing how totally different individuals expertise the identical factor, and I respect that there’s all the time one thing to be taught from others. Sharing meals made that simple.
Temples and extra images
We took a LOT of images. And video, which you’ll see in a few of the evaluations for merchandise we used (listing at backside of this submit). Lots of our aspect journeys had been stops at varied temples, which ranged from huge and grand…
…to small and hidden, tucked down a path subsequent to a waterfall. Our greatest recommendation? Simply go searching, and take time to cease. Right here’s one of the best of the remainder of our pics from Experience & Search’s Samurai Biking Tour.
Big due to Experience & Search for internet hosting us. Full disclosure, they coated the price of the tour for us, however we paid for our flights and pre- and post-trip accommodations and practice rides, lunches, and different ancillary prices. To make this attainable, our journey was additionally supported by the next manufacturers – Hyperlinks to evaluations will go stay as they’re are revealed:
- Lauf Cycles (Uthald street bikes)
- GoreWear (driving kits & gloves)
- CEP Socks (driving & journey socks)
- OSMO Vitamin (hydration, gas & restoration)
- Trek (sneakers, helmets, bottles & lights)
- Huckberry (merino journey garments – on GearJunkie)
Try dates, charges, routes, and extra particulars at RideAndSeek.com
