Day 1: Individual flight to Tokyo - Narita (arriving in Tokyo the next day). Day 2: Tokyo (Narita) (15 km). Once through immigration we will meet our Japanese team (two guides will cycle with the group; one English speaking) and transfer to the hotel for the night. Day 3: Tokyo (25 km). We will set off to Kitomaru Park by local train where we’ll arrange our rental bikes before heading off into the capital to visit the sights. First stop, Palace Square where the imperial family lives. Once part of the castle complex, today Edo Square symbolizes a relaxing oasis in a big city. In the Yanak and Nezu quarters you can experience the traditional Japan of the last century. Of even more interest will be the Akiba quarter – electric town of Tokyo. Here you can browse through this massive shopping centre packed with every kind of electronics goods and many other Japanese specialties. Day 4: Tokyo - Shoji lake - Kawaguci Lake - Kawaguchi (25 km). In the morning you will be transferred by bus to the southwest countryside of Misaketouge Pass. From the top (1300m) you will marvel at the fantastic panoramic view of Fuji Mountain. After lunch we will set off for a ride around the five lakes nestled in the foothills of Mount Fuji. We will circumnavigate the two biggest lakes, Kawaguchi and Yamanaka, and pass Sai, Shoi and Motusu. We will finish the day at Oshino Hakkai Springs. Eight pools are filled with sacred spring water from Mount Fuji. The water is believed to be the purest on the island. Day 5: Kawaguchi - Asagiri Kogen - Hakone (55 km). Today we will cycle across the magnificent Asagari Kogen Plateau. The Japanese call it Asagiri - morning mist plateau. This idyllic undulating countryside (average height is 800m) is a lush, verdant meadow irrigated by the melting snow cascading down from Mount Fuji and affords it some of the country’s richest pastureland. The highlight of the day will be a ride along Shoji Lake and the stunning mirror image of Fuji Mountain reflected in its crystal clear water. And of course a visit to this faraway country would not be complete without trying Sake. So in Shibakawa we will visit a typical distillery. From there we will take a bus transfer to Hakone. Day 6: Hakone, sightseeing day. Hakone City is on the Pacific Ocean on the south side of the Hakone Pass. It’s famed for its hot springs and Onsen. Here we will take a short morning break from cycling and bathe in the traditional way. The vicinity of the city is mountainous, and in the afternoon we will ascend to the 1357m-high Kamaga summit by either cable car or rack railway. From the top you are blessed with a glorious view of the distant Fuji Mountain. Of course we cannot miss the Owakudani Geysers in "Boiling Valley" nor the classic botanical garden in Hakone - Fuji National Park. (We will not be able to rent bikes today because they are needed by a partner elsewhere but there are electric bikes available for few Euros at the local shop.) Day 7: Hakone - Kamakura - Tokyo. After breakfast we take a special bus transfer to Kamakura, home of the marvellous 700-year old Buddha statue. It weighs over 120 tons and is one of Japan’s greatest treasures. The next stop will be a visit to the Tsurugaoka shrine of the Shogun Yoritomo, who ruled Japan in the 12th Century. After lunch we return to Tokyo and visit the Tokyo Tower Observatory - a 333-metre high tower with an exceptional view. Late in the afternoon you will have free time to spend in Nakamisa – a typical shopping centre in Tokyo where you can do any last minute shopping. Day 8: Tokyo - Koshigaja - Iwatsuki - Kasdukabe (30 km). After breakfast a short walk to the train station Kodema, then a ride by local train to Koshigaj. We will cycle along the coast, under the 700 blossoming cherry trees to Ivatsuki City. The city is known for its dolls, which have been produced locally since the 17th century for traditional March and May festivals. In the afternoon we will proceed to cherry city – Kasukabe –that used to be an important stop between Tokyo and Nikko. From Kasukabe we will return to the hotel by local train and a short walk. Day 9: Tokyo - Narita - Paris - Ljubljana. After breakfast airport transfer and outbound flight to your destination. Notes: Price Includes: 
Vacation Poll
Also see tour packages in: Asia Japan Outdoor: Land Rambler Bicycle Touring Cultural Journey |
|||||||||||||||
