Japan Cycling Tour FAQ's

Cycling in Japan is safe, scenic and culturally immersive. Roads are well maintained, drivers are respectful, and rural regions like Kita Kanto offer quiet mountain roads, forest climbs and lakeside riding with minimal traffic. Expect smooth tarmac, disciplined road etiquette and a strong café culture perfect for post-ride refuelling. Japan blends challenging terrain with deep cultural experiences — making it one of the most unique road cycling destinations in the world.

We ask all customers to pay the required deposit when they book, which confirms their reservation. The balance is due 90 days before departure. If you book less than 90 days before departure, we will ask you to pay the full price upfront.

Cancellations may occur. However, the boutique nature of our tour keeps our groups small, so this is unlikely. If we do have to cancel the tour due to insufficient participants, Covid-19 or for some other unforeseen circumstances, we will naturally provide you with prior notice and refund monies paid to date.

It is a requirement that insurance is taken out for your tour of Slovenia at the time of booking, as this should then cover you immediately, should anything occur between the time you book and departure/return.

For Australian customers, we have a partnership with CoverMore and can organise you up a 10%-20% discount. Please contact us to arrange your insurance.

Non-Riding Partners Are Part of the Journey
Our Japan Tour is designed to be shared — and non-riding partners are warmly welcomed.

While the riders take to the road, you’ll travel comfortably with our local team in the support vehicle, enjoying front-row access to Japan’s countryside, culture and hidden gems. Think artisan workshops, guided walks, temple visits, scenic cafés and immersive cultural moments woven thoughtfully into each day.

Select experiences are curated exclusively for non-riders — including hands-on Washi paper making and traditional pottery sessions — ensuring your days are enriching, relaxed and uniquely your own.

Each afternoon and evening, riders and non-riders reunite to share stories over beautiful meals and cultural experiences, making this a truly inclusive journey — on the bike and beyond it.

Yes — non-riding partners are welcome to ride on selected days, provided they meet a few important requirements to ensure their safety and the enjoyment of the group.

To participate, they must:

• Be confident handling a bike on all road surfaces, including long descents
• Be comfortable riding safely in a group environment
• Hire an E-bike for the full duration of the tour
• Have the fitness to comfortably complete the scheduled distances
  
  Non-riding partners may join the loop ride days on Days 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10. These routes begin and finish in the same location, allowing flexibility while keeping logistics seamless for the wider group.
  
  This approach ensures everyone feels safe, supported and riding within their capabilities — while still sharing in the magic of cycling Japan.

100%. We cherish the opportunity of designing bespoke tours for groups of friends, corporate clients, teams and families.

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The Japan Cycling tour is classified as a Road Cycling Tour.

Road bikes are a necessity for this tour. For those bringing their own bikes, we recommend as a minimum, 28mm tubeless tyres to minimise punctures throughout your journey.

Absolutely! Road bikes and E-Hybrid bikes are available for rent for the tour at an additional cost. If interested, please select YES on our booking form or shoot us an email, and an Après Vélo representative will provide further details in this regard.

High-quality road bike rentals are available through specialist cycling operators in the Nasu–Nikko region. Premium carbon road bikes, helmets and essential accessories can be arranged in advance through supported tour providers. Many operators also offer bike fitting, mechanical support and optional e-bike hire for riders seeking extra assistance on mountain climbs.

We will have riders on standard and compact crank set ups. It is not essential that riders change the crank set up on their current bikes for this tour. For the rear cassette we recommend at least a 34.

Day 4 from Nasu to Nikko is our longest ride - circa 87km with 1600m of elevation
See our itinerary for our daily agenda.

The pace of the riding will be moderate at all times.

We are never in a rush to get from Point A to Point B and will immerse ourselves in cultural, artisan and sightseeing experiences along the way. This itinerary has been designed for everyone to be comfortable and enjoy the riding and beautiful surroundings.

We will always have a support vehicle for guests to use if needed.

Most importantly, we are here to Live the Ride safely and take in the beauty that Japan has to offer.

Difficulty of this trip is rated at 3.5/5. We are not riding vast distances on a daily basis, and there are plenty of breaks and stops along the way.

Riders will need to have the required fitness to complete the longest ride of the tour – Day 5 which is 87km with 1600m elevation.

The Japan Cycling Tour caters for seasoned cyclists with the required level of fitness to back up 80km+ days
If necessary, we will split the rides into two groups, to cater for different speeds.

Day 5 - The iconic Iroha-zaka climb — a masterfully engineered mountain road of sweeping, rhythmic switchbacks that gain elevation steadily, each bend revealing broader views of Nikko’s vast mountain amphitheatre. It’s a climb that feels purposeful, almost meditative.

At the summit, we ride alongside the brilliant blue waters of Lake Chuzenji, shimmering beneath volcanic peaks and crisp alpine skies. The road here rolls gently, offering moments to breathe in the scale and stillness of the landscape.

For those wanting a little more, a 6.5km climb rises from the waterfall toward Konsei Pass — Japan’s highest tunnel pass at 1,840m. Once used by ascetic mountain monks, this climb gains 400m at an average of 6.5% — steady, rewarding, and steeped in history.

You will always have at least one ride captain on the road with the group. Depending upon the group size and riding strengths, there may be two riding groups, with a ride captain leading each group.

Our rides are further enhanced with a support vehicle to provide mechanical help as and when needed, provide hydration and nutrition or just a cosy place to rest up in case of that dreaded bonk.

Après Vélo will arrange JR Nasushiobara Station transfers for all guests including bike bags at a pre-arranged time (both arrival and departure).

Should you wish additional time in Japan, either pre or post tour, please speak to us in advance of time, to enable us to assist you with hotel bookings, tour guides and any other necessary requirements you may have.

Weather can always be unpredictable and plays a big part with each ride.
Therefore, each rider must be prepared for rainy weather and colder temperatures.

Closer to the time, we will provide you with a comprehensive packing list. We encourage guests to pack as lightly as possible to help for transport between our destinations.

The Kita Kanto region is renowned for the Iroha-zaka switchbacks in Nikko, the climbs around Mount Nasu, lakeside riding along Lake Chuzenji, and the historic Nikko Cedar Avenue. Cyclists also love the quiet forest roads through the Yamizo Mountains and rolling countryside between Nasu, Nikko and Ashino. These routes combine steady elevation gain with breathtaking mountain and cultural scenery.

Must-see highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples of Nikko, Lake Chuzenji, Fukuroda Falls, the sacred slopes of Mount Nasu, Konsei Pass, and the 400-year-old Nikko Cedar Avenue. Hidden Zen temples, traditional onsen towns and terraced rice valleys add to the region’s cultural depth and visual drama.

In Japan, cyclists ride on the left-hand side of the road. Helmets are strongly recommended, and road rules are strictly observed. Rural traffic is light, but climbs can be sustained and steady. Convenience stores are frequent and well-stocked, making hydration stops easy. Respect for local customs, punctuality and quiet road behaviour are appreciated. Guided and supported cycling tours in Japan provide the safest and most seamless experience.

Hill climbs in Kita Kanto are challenging but achievable for trained recreational riders. Expect daily distances of 70–80km with 1,000–1,600m of elevation gain. Climbs such as Iroha-zaka feature multiple scenic switchbacks at steady gradients (5–7%), while optional ascents like Konsei Pass offer more demanding alpine efforts. The rewards are long descents, panoramic views and pristine mountain landscapes.

When biking in Japan, it’s important to bring a reliable bike suited to your planned terrain, whether that’s a road bike, gravel bike, hybrid, or e-bike. Always wear a helmet—mandatory for all riders on our tour and carry reflective clothing and bike lights for riding in low visibility conditions.

Navigation tools like a GPS device or smartphone with apps such as Komoot or RideWithGPS, plus offline maps, will help you stay on track. Be prepared for basic repairs by packing spare tubes, tire levers, a multitool, a pump, and a patch kit.

Since the weather can change quickly, bring breathable layers, a lightweight rain jacket, and gloves to stay comfortable. Staying hydrated is key, so carry refillable water bottles and energy-rich snacks, especially for longer or remote rides.

Don’t forget personal essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, identification, cash or cards, and a small first aid kit. Optional extras include a camera to capture Japans stunning scenery, a bike lock if you’ll leave your bike unattended, and a small backpack or panniers for carrying your gear in our support vehicle.

The best seasons for cycling in Kita Kanto are spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November). Spring offers cherry blossoms and mild temperatures, while autumn delivers crisp air and spectacular foliage through the mountains of Nikko and Nasu. Both seasons avoid the summer humidity and winter snow, making them ideal for road cycling tours in Japan.

Japan is extremely bike-friendly. Drivers are patient and courteous, infrastructure is excellent, and there is a strong cycling culture throughout the country. Rural regions like Nasu and Nikko are particularly welcoming to cyclists, with smooth roads, clear signage and respectful road sharing. Safety standards and hospitality are world-class.

All accommodations on the tour offer private bathroom facilities.

However, in keeping with authentic Japanese tradition, our stays at Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya (Days 1–3) and Nikko Hoshi-no-Yado (Days 4–6) follow the classic ryokan style. While rooms include private toilet facilities, showers are located within the gender-specific communal bathing areas.

These beautifully maintained onsen bathing spaces are an integral part of Japanese culture — serene, immaculately presented and deeply restorative. Embracing this experience offers a genuine and memorable immersion into traditional Japan.

For many guests, it becomes one of the unexpected highlights of the journey.