Self-Guided Cycle Tour Adventure from Kyoto to the Coast
Bike the heritage-rich sights of Kyoto, Nara, Yoshino and Mount Koya on this self-guided cycle tour of Japan. Balance the independence of self-guided bicycle touring with the seamless planning of a Grasshopper experience. Comfortable, achievable distances, great food, hotels with comfort and style, all topped off with quality bikes.
E-bikes and Carbon Frame bikes are available on this tour as an optional upgrade.
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Highlights
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Itinerary ideas
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In Japan, there’s a lot more to explore beyond its rich history and traditional temples. You’ll find modern art buzzing alongside ancient landmarks like the grand Imperial Palace and the dazzling Golden Pavilion by the lake. This UNESCO World Heritage site is not only a symbol of tradition but also a hotspot for Japan’s vibrant contemporary art scene. On the day you arrive, there are no set plans until a late afternoon briefing. This means you have the freedom to wander and discover this captivating city at your own pace. The briefing, scheduled at your convenience, is a chance to go over trip details, get acquainted with your bikes and gear, and prepare for the adventure ahead.
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Kyoto is a fantastic city to explore on a bike. It’s got wide roads, paths for cyclists, and drivers who are careful and considerate. Plus, there are charming little streets along the canals that make biking here super enjoyable in this bike-friendly country. Since Kyoto was Japan’s capital for a long time (twice!), it’s packed with history and culture.
Your ride starts by the river and heads north, where you can see cool spots like the Bamboo Forest and, if you’re lucky, beautiful cherry blossom gardens. You’ll also stop at Tenryuji Temple, which has that classic ancient look that’s lasted through the years. Then, you’ll head east to Ryoanji, known for its amazing UNESCO-approved zen garden. On the way, you can check out Kinkakuji for a stunning view of the city.
Along the route, you’ll find lots of yummy traditional sweets to munch on. And when you’re ready, you’ll pedal back into town along the Kamo River. You get to decide where you want to stop, with the help of our audio guide. Tonight, you’re free to explore the awesome dining spots in Kyoto, but we can recommend some top local eateries if you need ideas.
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Now you’ll be staying at a place that’s a mix of a hotel and a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. It has beds instead of futons, but you’ll still find Tatami mats from the reception area to all around the property. Your stay will be right in Nara, next to the main train station. Nara Park and important temples like Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji are just a quick ride away (3km), but there’s also a shuttle bus that goes around the area in a circle.
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Last night, you stayed on the northern edge of Nara. This morning, you’ll ride through what’s left of the ancient city. There’s not much left of it now, but you’ll see an impressive replica of the palace as you pass by.
During the Nara period from AD 710-794, the city was designed to look like Chang’an, the capital of China’s Tang dynasty. The wealthy people back then used Chinese writing and adopted Buddhism.
As you cycle through Nara, you’ll notice it’s a pretty big city. The cycling route is a bit tricky but manageable, avoiding heavy traffic. Once you leave the city behind, you’ll ride on peaceful back roads through the countryside. You’ll encounter some hills, but they’re not too long or steep. You’ll pass through more farmland and small villages.
As the day goes on, the hills get a bit steeper until you reach the foot of the climb up to Yoshino. It’s only about 6km, though, and the slope isn’t too steep. Yoshino is a lovely place with temples on top of a ridge. Tonight, you’ll stay in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. You’ll sleep on tatami mats (be sure to take your shoes off!), and there’s a hot spring on site where you can relax your tired legs. Dinner will be served in the traditional Japanese style, giving you a chance to immerse yourself in the culture.
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If you’re in the mood for a more relaxed day, there’s a scenic option instead of tackling the climb. After cycling about 35km, you’ll reach Hashimoto Station. Here, you can park your bikes, buy tickets for the Nankai Koya train line, and hop on one of Japan’s longest funiculars to the top of Mount Koya. That’s where your Shukubo, a traditional lodging, is waiting for you.
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If you wake up early and go biking, Koyosan will be quiet with few people around. Koyasan, originally called Kong-Obb Ji, is a sacred place for Shingon Buddhism.
In the morning, Koyasan looks like a picture postcard. You might see moss and green plants, and monks walking to meditation sessions. You can visit places like the Konpon Daito Pagoda and memorial grounds.
Back at your Shukubo, breakfast is served in your room. It’s a vegetarian meal like the monks eat. You can also take a dip in an Onsen before starting your ride, but aim to start by 10 am.
The ride down the mountain is exciting. The road is smooth and wider than the one you went up. You might see some cars, but not many since most people are going up.
About halfway down, you’ll leave the main road and bike on smaller ones. After a climb of about 3km, you’ll mostly ride downhill through forests and along a river. As you near Wakayama, the town gets busier. You’ll find a bike path along the river that leads into Wakayama—a calm and flat ride. Wakayama is a port city with lots of history to explore tonight with our recommendations.
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Wakayama has plenty to keep you busy in the morning. You can visit the castle, an art museum, and a train museum—all close to the hotel.
Check-out time at the hotel is 10 am, but you can ask for a later check-out, like 11 or 12 pm, depending on how busy the hotel is. When you’re ready to go, just take a quick taxi ride to the train station. From there, you can easily catch a train to Osaka Airport (KIX), Osaka City, or Kyoto.
Accommodation options
The itinerary price includes suggested accommodation. However, My Way Travel are fully customizable, and a specialist can help you choose the best option for your preferences and budget.
Booking Policy
- 6 nights in premium hotel accommodation.
- 6 x breakfasts
- Introduction briefing designed to run through the practicalities
- Quality well-maintained bike and helmets
- Luggage transfers throughout the tour
- A Jersey and a water bottle as mementos
We'll help plan your trip based on you like and want to do. We know a lot about the place you're gomg. so we can give you good advice. WIIether you're into history, food, or culture, ue'll make sure your trip is just right for you. With us. your travel will be easy and fun!
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
We carefully choose our expert guides and travel concierges to make sure you have an authentic experience. They're passionate about their work and will bring your destination to life with care and enthusiasm.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
We design our luxury trips with responsible travel principles in mind. This means we prioritize experiences that benefit both you and the planet.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
What our clients say about us
Alice B
22 March 2024 ★★★★★Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!
Kyle M
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.
Garethbradburn
12 April 2024 ★★★★★This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.
Leslie
16 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Dzintars Naglis
24 April 2024 ★★★★★Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.
Stuart S
18 December 2024 ★★★★★We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.
Scott
5 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Kyle
18 January 2024 ★★★★★Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!
