Welcome to Oka Tours! -Specialists in bike tours in Japan

On this tour, you will cycle in rustic regions that are rich in great nature and farmlands and yet possess unique cultural heritages. Our ride starts in Aizu, which is a scenic region surrounded by beautiful mountains in northern Japan. The route takes us through rice fields, narrow mountain roads and passes, and crosses Honshu (the mainland) to the Sea of Japan. On our way, we make many stops at historic sites, temples and shrines, and small towns and villages that maintain their old charms. Both Aizu and Niigata are known as Japan’s main sake (rice wine) and onsen (natural hot spring bath) centers, so every night we can celebrate our ride with good sake and unwind in onsen.

Minimum number of guests required for guaranteed departure: 4

• Day 1 (Monday) Yunokami (46km)
  Meet in Tokyo and transfer to Aizu by train (takes about 3 hours). Following quick lunch on the train, we start our warm-up ride. We cycle on quiet country roads through rice fields and then uphill to the Kannonnuma Park, a quiet and beautiful pond. After a quick descent, we bike through farm villages towards Yunokami onsen spa. We spend the first night at a ryokan (Japanese inn). You can soak in abundant hot spring water and relax – perfect way to prepare yourself for another day of riding.
• Day 2 (Tuesday) Aizuwakamatsu (80km)
  Following a smooth start on flat roads, we take on an ascent to Ouchijuku, an old post town on the road used long ago by Aizu feudal lords until the 19th century to travel back and forth to Edo (now Tokyo). Preserved thatched-roof houses give you an idea of what the town used to be like in old days. We take a soba-noodle making lesson at Ouchijuku. Our afternoon ride starts with a steep but short climb, followed by a long descent through mountain forests into the Aizu Basin. On our way to Aizuwakamatsu, we stop by a couple of oldest temples in the region. We stay at a ryokan* in Higashiyama onsen spa, Aizuwakamatsu’s back parlor.
  * Guest rooms are equipped with private toilets but not with private baths.
• Day 3 (Wednesday) Lake Hibara (68km)
  We spend the morning touring the castle town of Aizuwakamatsu by minivan and visit Bukeyashiki (reconstructed samurai villa) and Tsuruga-jo Castle to see what the samurai lifestyle used to be like. Our ride today starts with the toughest hill climb of the whole trip towards Lake Hibara, a serene lake situated halfway up the Bandai-san (Mount Bandai, a magnificent volcano). Following lunch by the Lake, we take on yet another climb to Shirabu Pass and enjoy spectacular sceneries. We retreat in a western-style hotel by Lake Hibara.
• Day 4 (Thursday) Kirinzan (90km)
  We start with a long descent to Kitakata, a town of kura (mud-walled storehouses). There will be some time to explore the town. From Kitakata, we ride on narrow forest roads over small passes and down into small valleys. We stop at a small village of Miyako for lunch featuring its famous soba noodles. After lunch, we continue on forest roads crossing the prefecture border into Niigata. We then cycle along the beautiful Agano-gawa River into Kirinzan onsen spa. We stay in a ryokan with onsen that offers a splendid view of the Agano-gawa River.
• Day 5 (Friday) Senami (100km)
  Our ride today starts along the Agano-gawa River, and then heads north through quiet forests and rice fields towards Shibata, a castle town that has prospered for more than 270 years. Following lunch in Shibata, we continue north over gentle hills to Murakami, a quaint town with streets lined up by machiyas (traditional form of townhouses). Our destination today is nearby Senami, a relaxing spa town by the ocean. After five days of cycling in inland regions, we finally hit the Sea of Japan! In the evening we feast on fresh seafood direct from the nearby port.
• Day 6 (Saturday) Tsuruoka (100km)
  In the morning we cycle along the spectacular coastline that has a variety of beautiful rock formations. Our route then takes us inland through quiet mountain roads towards Tsuruoka, a picturesque former castle town. After exploring museums and temples in the town, we cycle to a nearby Yudanaka onsen spa, where our ride ends. We stay at a ryokan with onsen.
• Day 7 (Sunday)
  Following breakfast, we leave Tsuruoka by local train and transfer in Niigata to the Shinkansen (bullet train) for Tokyo. Once in Niigata, it is time to say goodbye to your leader/guide. You arrive in Tokyo in the afternoon.

• All lodgings on a double occupancy basis. A limited number of single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional charge on most tours. If you are a single traveler, please inquire for room availability and a single supplemental charge.
• Meals (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners)
• Guides and van support
• Rental bikes
• Any ground transportations (except for private taxis)
• Fee for soba noodle making lesson
• Admissions to museums and temples/shrines

This tour is offered on a requested basis for a group of more than four guests. Please email us to arrange your trip.