JAPAN GOURMET CYCLE TOUR

DAY 1 (Sun) Osaka – Okayama

Meet your Bespoke host in Osaka for 9.30am dept for Okayama, 1 hour journey on the Speed train. Hotel bag drop and at a relaxed pace, visit attractions in your co-host Risa’s hometown. This includes the beautiful Korakuen Garden that was established in the 1700s and the imposing Okayama (black) Castle. In the evening experience Izakaya (Japanese style seasonal tapas) with your hosts at a carefully selected restaurant.

DAY 2 (Mon) Okayama   Cycle 40 km

Post breakfast enjoy a 40 km ride predominantly on bike paths including the Okayama - Soja Cycle Route. En route visit the historic 5 storey Bitchu Kokubinji Temple (founded in 741) within an attractive rural setting. Post-cycling head out for a café lunch in the fascinating Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. So much to experience across this beautiful, white-walled townscape filled with history and art. A quick boat cruise down the river before it is time to relax prior to dinner at a specially selected sushi restaurant that Risa says is a hidden favourite with local residents.

DAY 3 (Tues) Okayama, Naoshima (Art) Island, Uno Port   Cycle 10-30 km 

Post hotel check-out take a short train ride to Uno Port before catching the ferry to Naoshima Art Island.  The Island was in economic decline until a revitalisation strategy was put in place. This included art galleries, installations and architectural projects on the island in the late 1980s. Now, Naoshima is a favourite with art lovers from around the world. Plenty of time to explore the island’s attractions by bike before taking the ferry back to overnight accommodation at Uno Port. Time to luxuriate in an outdoor onsen/hot spring bath before a dinner comprised of Japanese classics to choose from in a comfortable and relaxed setting. 

Day 4 (Wed) Uno Port – Onomichi    Cycle 35 -120 km

Today an earlier departure by vehicle and a 90 min. transfer to Onomichi to commence cycling one of Japan’s great bike rides called the Shimanami Kaido Cycle Route. The dedicated 70 km cycleway crosses six islands over a series of bridges. The route offers great scenery and is a high-quality cycling experience. You can choose the distance you wish to cycle on this out and back route (or return by ferry) with ample rest stops on route. Return to your Onomichi hotel and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant, we have chosen to enjoy Yakiniku or Shabu Shabu for this evening.

Day 5 (Thu) Onomichi – Hiroshima    Cycle 12 km 

After breakfast travel 90 mins by vehicle to Hiroshima to your hotel. Explore the local neighbourhood before a café lunch. After lunch take a relaxed bike ride to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Plenty of time to absorb what is a truly moving experience. In the evening enjoy a relaxed dining experience at a very well-known Ramen/noodle venue to finish off the evening.

Day 6 (Fri) Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Kyoto    Optional 1 or 10 km walk  

Today travel to Miyajima, a small island outside of Hiroshima, declared as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Miyajima’s star attraction is the floating Torii gate of Itsukushima-jinja Shrine dating back to 1168. Miyajima Island’s highest peak Mount Misen, has been worshiped as a sacred mountain since the 6th century. Options to walk through beautiful deciduous forest or take a scenic cable car trip to the summit. Tame deer are also a feature of this historic Island experience. Return Hiroshima then take the Speed train to Kyoto, the former capital, and still cultural capital of Japan. Time to relax pre dinner, which is another carefully selected Japanese cuisine dining experience. Aaron has chosen a local Izakaya (Japanese-style pub) to experience Kyoto’s unique cuisine based around the beautiful seasons, rice, seafood and pickles.

Day 7 (Sat) Kyoto     Cycle 30 km 

After an early breakfast enjoy riding the Mt. Konpira- Nijo Castle Cycling Road providing a pleasant mix of scenic and historic attractions en route. For lunch your hosts will lead you through old streets of Kiyomizu dera (temple precinct) and sample local favourites. Depending on your interests; museums, galleries or the Nishiki food market await, or perhaps a walk through Kyoto’s bamboo forest. The last dinner together is fittingly within the old streets of Kyoto, renowned for its traditional wooden architecture, intimate restaurants, lively nightlife, and the intriguing presence of geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas). You can expect a seasonal and traditional multi course Kaiseki cuisine, before being treated to a night in a traditional Ryokan (Japanese Inn) where you will be transported to old Japan with its beautiful and thoughtful service and style. This encapsulates the beauty and aesthetics of Japanese culture. 

Day 8 (Sun) Kyoto  

The tour concludes with hotel check-out. Additional nights at your hotel can be booked at the time of booking. Kyoto is approximately a 1.5 hour express train ride to Osaka's Kansai International Airport or a 2.5 hour journey by shinkansen to Tokyo.

* Itinerary subject to change due to changing local circumstances. Clients to be informed asap should change(s) be required.