Overview

Welcome to Japan! Your trip starts in Kyoto, where you'll meet your guides at 9:45 AM at Hotel Granvia. We'll board a 30-minute shuttle to Yawata, located on the banks of the Kizu River. Then we'll prepare for our first ride of the trip. Your guides will familiarize you with your Trek bike, including an informal fit session along with safety talks and expectations for the week. We'll enjoy lunch together before we roll out. This first ride winds its way along the Kizu river and is polka-dotted with tea fields. The ride is almost completely on bike path which allows you to enjoy the scenery without worrying about traffic - just don't forget to ride on the left! Our destination is Nara, which will also be your home for next three nights. Don’t be surprised if you see deer roaming through the town, as they are practically domesticated and a common sight in Nara deer park. This evening we'll gather for a social hour and conclude with dinner at the hotel restaurant, Le Bois.

Overview

Good morning in Nara! This vibrant city was once the first permanent capital of Japan and remains an important historical and cultural center, home to eight temples and a former imperial palace. Recognized today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nara is truly one-of-a-kind. After a freshly prepared breakfast, warm up your legs with the first climb of the day, followed by a descent on quiet backroads through the countryside. We’ll stop at a temple nestled in the rolling farmland on today's route. Upon return to the hotel to shower and change, we’ll head to lunch, explore the historical center of Nara, and visit the Tōdai-ji Temple—an 8th-century marvel that houses the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha Vairocana. From here, experience the tranquility of a private Japanese tea ceremony, or chanoyu, a meditative ritual of matcha preparation that emphasizes harmony, respect, and purity. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to a local restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere for a delightful dinner to cap off a wonderful day.

Overview

Today we venture on a quiet climb off the Nara plain that leads you through cedar forests past ancient temples up to a plateau. Once on top, you’ll see numerous rice paddies recently flooded and planted with seedlings. The sound of croaking frogs fills the air as you pass by. Lunch is a chance to try from a tasty selection of delicious noodles, rice based donburi, or even the ever-popular Japanese Katsu curry. From lunch we crest a few small hills before an exhilarating long descent back down to the Nara plain. You'll pass through the town of Tenri, famous for its modern Buddhist temples and architecture. A large community of followers live, study, and worship in Tenri. You'll then be on quiet backstreets, allowing you to relax and marvel at the small gardens and historic houses along the route. Tonight, you'll have the option to partake in a private sushi experience where you will learn about the history of sushi in Japanese culture and try it yourself! Then, you may enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many incredible restaurants in Nara, or at the beautiful hotel restaurant. The choice is yours.

Overview

Wake to another beautiful day of exploring! The ride from Nara to Kashihara winds its way along ancient paths and roads through the cradle of Japanese Culture. Inhabited for over two millennia, there are recently excavated tombs and temples dotting the hills. We stop