Depart from home to arrive into Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport the following morning.

Following arrival into either Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) airport it’s time to take the Express Shuttle bus to the bustling Shinjuku area of the city (1.0 to 1.5hrs). Our hotel is centrally located and has been chosen for its close proximity to transportation links.

Following check-in at the hotel (14:00) you are free to relax for a few hours. At 17:00 you will be met by our guide for the trip and after an initial briefing head out for a wander (with the other members of the group) around the small streets and alleys that spiral around Shinjuku. These narrow lanes are filled with numerous interesting shops and tiny eateries serving ramen, soba and sushi. We’ll take our evening meal here, before returning to our hotel via the neon glitz of its electronics area.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Following breakfast we head to Tokyo Station from where we take an e-bike tour of Tokyo. Starting at the Imperial Palace, it’s a fun way to shake off the jet-lag and there’s no better way to see the sights of this bustling city than by bike.

Following lunch we return to our hotel to check-out before heading to the nearby Bus Terminal for our journey (2hrs) to Lake Kawaguchi. We’ll soon leave the urban sprawl of Tokyo behind and as we get closer to the lake the majestic Mount Fuji should be clearly visible.

Kawaguchi is the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and whilst it has the longest shoreline it is situated at the lowest elevation (800 metres). Whilst a popular destination for the Japanese it is still possible to get away from the crowds with our hotel chosen a little way from the centre for this reason.

Following arrival it’s time for bike fitting before taking a short warm-up ride close to the lake where we can take in views of the Northern side of Mount Fuji.

Pre-dinner and it’s time to enjoy the hotel’s onsen facilities and soothe away any post-travel tiredness. Taking a onsen is very much part of Japanese culture and something we’ll be doing regularly during our time here and we’ll have a briefing about onsen / bathing etiquette before you take the plunge. See also the Accommodation Section within the General Information part of these Trip Notes

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 950m

Today our cycling begins with a lovely route that begins straight from the hotel and initially follows the northern side of the lake. After a few kilometres we reach another one of the Fuji Five Lakes – Lake Saiko. After following its shoreline our route takes us through the dense Sai pine forest where after around 25kms we reach a great viewpoint. From here we can see the panorama of the 1000 Alps mountain range that includes some of Japan’s highest peaks. We then enjoy a gentle sweeping descent to lunch.

Our scenery changes from here on in with lakes and forests replaced by bamboo and lush paddy fields. After a brief stop at some lovely wasabi fields our route takes us on a winding ride along quiet narrow lanes that take in numerous small villages as we follow the water-course of the local springs.

Our scenery along this section sees the lakes and forests replaced by small paddy fields, many of which are used for the growing of rice to be used in the production of Sake. With this in mind we stop at a family Sake brewery, dating from the 17th Century.

Our ride ends with a nice downhill to the town of Fujinomiya where we stay for the evening and where we might enjoy a plate of Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savoury pancake, for our dinner this evening.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 470m

Our day starts with a visit to the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha. This Shinto shrine was built to appease the Kami (Japanese spirits of phenomena) after sustained volcanic activity on Mount Fuji and it’s the most important shrine in the Fuji area.

After following the small side streams of the River Urui we soon find ourselves cycling between the green tea plantations as we make our way to the coast, which is reached after a rolling 14kms. From here we follow the coastline of the Bay of Suraga for a similar distance until we reach the fishing port of Numazu.

It’s a bustling place famous for its Shirasu (small white fish) and Sakura shrimps and makes for the perfect place to take lunch. On the menu will be some of the tastiest fish / seafood you’ll experience during the tour.

Our afternoon ride includes a stop at Kakita Park to see its river whirlpools before we wind our way alongside the Kakita and Kano Rivers to Shuzenji Onsen.

Shuzenji’s history as an onsen dates back some 1,200 years, with its temple an important place for the training of Zen for the Samurai. It’s temple is certainly worth a visit, as is taking a walk around the nearby bamboo forest. The village centre is also a nice place to explore.

A large part of its attraction however, lies with its hot springs. Time once again to soothe your bodies onsen style at the hotel before sampling some more delicious food.

• Meals: Breakfast

A non-riding day today and in order to connect to our second part of the tour we’ll be utilising Japan’s ever efficient rail network. Our initial section takes us from Shuzenji to MIshima (30mins), from where we speed it up with a Bullet Train (Shinkansen) to Maibara (1.5hrs) then slow it down once again with another local train to Omihachiman (30mins).

Situated at the foot of Mount Hachiman-yama, its quaint well preserved streets are lined with traditional white walled / black wood houses situated either side of a gently flowing stream and combine to make it a delightful place to visit.

The town grew in importance due to its closeness to Lake Biwa and is famous for its craftsmen and merchants who traded goods. It is also famous for Funa-Zushi a type of sushi made from Funa Carp and fermented rice. It’s an acquired (and very smelly) dish so you might want to sample some tender Omi beef instead in your evening sukiyaki!

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 340m

Leaving the lovely Omihachiman behind we make our way to Hikone. It’s a flat 30km with much of the land reclaimed and now famous for its sake rice paddys and vegetable fields.

Welcoming us into Hikone is its majestic castle which dominates the skyline. Once here it’s time for a spot of lunch before we check out this amazing place. Built in 1603 it’s one of the oldest original-construction castles in Japan and is now listed as a National Treasure, and rightly so. Ramparts rambled and photos taken we jump back on the bikes.

Our final 17kms follows the edge of Lake Biwa until we reach Nagahama on its north-eastern shore (where we will stay for the night). Nagahama was an important Post Town supplying travellers and merchants with lodgings and supplies. It now houses numerous small museums within its traditional buildings.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 600m

Today’s cycling takes us on a peaceful ride along the edge of the lake. It’s a day during which you’ll be able to see numerous ancient temples, Buddhas and Kannons (statues of the Goddess of Mercy). These exist from the time of the Samurai and were made to represent great warriors who died.

Our first major stopping point is the town of Kinomoto which we reach after a flat 26kms. The main attraction here is the Kinomoto-Jizoin temple. Its Buddhist statue is said to have eye healing qualities, so if you don’t have 20/20 vision nowadays, it might be worth a quick prayer here. The town is also famous for its production of miso, soy and sake.

Following lunch here we continue to Shiozu a lakeside port that was the gateway to Kyoto for goods that arrived from the Sea of Japan.

We end the day in the tranquil surroundings of the fishing village of Sugaura, which until 50 years ago was only accessible by boat and whose Suka Shrine is worth a quick visit pre-dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, dinner
• Ascent: 400m

We start the day by retracing a few kms from yesterday and then make our way along the western edge of Lake Biwa on a route that is make up of quiet lanes and dedicated cycle paths. This is a place of cherry trees, traditional villages of pan-tiled houses and small fishing communities who catch Ayu Salmon and Biwa Eels in the lake.

On reaching Omi-Takashima (45kms) we enjoy lunch before checking out a local vinegar maker’s shop.

After lunch it’s just a few kms to the Shinto shrine of Shirahige whose vermillion Toji (gateway) is situated in the lake and signifies our arrival there. From here we continue along the lake shore for around 20 kms that leads us to our accommodation in Katada where we also eat this evening. This traditional family run lodge by the beach has a large public bath nearby – the perfect place for a soak after a day in the saddle.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 400m

After the recent flat and rolling riding of the lakeside today there’s a little challenge in store. Our target is the Tochugoe Pass which is situated at 370 metres and symbolically marks the border of the prefectures of Shiga and Kyoto. It’s 10 kms to here and you’ll be steadily climbing from the lakeside which is at a height of 80 metres. Of course for those looking for an uplift our support vehicle is close at hand.

From here it’s a gradual downwards ride to the ‘hidden village’ of Ohara in the mountains of northern Kyoto before we follow the rivers of Takano and Kamo into the centre of Kyoto. Our hotel is situated close to the Gion area of the city an area noted for its traditional buildings and geishas.

Our evening meal is taken in one of the many fine restaurants close to our hotel and the day ends with a wander through Gion and the heart of Kyoto’s most famous geisha quarter. Wooden slated, tile roofed tea houses line these streets and it is where, come dusk, shadows of elaborated gowned woman rustle past, disappearing behind sliding doors.

• Meals: Breakfast

There is lots to see in Kyoto and on our list of favourites are the Golden Temple (Kinkaku-ji), Kiyomizu Temple and Gosho Palace, which until recently was closed to visitors.

Lunch will be taken at a suitable time during our cycling sightseeing, with the plan to be back at our accommodation mid-afternoon. For those leaving next morning this should give plenty of time for a little souvenir shopping. Early evening and we’ll meet up for our final group meal and perhaps sink some celebratory sake to toast our achievement.

• Meals: Breakfast

With most flights to Europe leaving mid-morning, we’ve time for a final Miso soup and bowl of sticky rice before we head to Kansai Airport (KIX) by Express Shuttle Bus (1-1.5hrs). For those of you staying to extend your time in Japan, Kyoto has lots to offer and with other destinations such as Hiroshima just a bullet train away, there are lots of options.