Kyoto to Tokyo · May and October
Japan cycling tours
Ten stages from the ancient capital to the modern one, on quiet roads through the Japanese Alps, the old Nakasendo road, Shirakawago and around Mount Fuji, with a support van carrying your luggage.
Route
Kyoto → Tokyo
Riding
10 stages · 876–912 km
Climbing
About 10,870 m
Level
Hard, van-supported
Nights
Hotels and ryokan
From
€5,150
Departures
Two trips on the same route, in two seasons: the classic Kyoto to Tokyo in autumn, and Rewild Your Mind in spring, a smaller group that rides with neuroscientist Andrea Bariselli.
Japan: Rewild Your Mind
From €8,200 ≈ US$9,070
Japan: Kyoto to Tokyo
From €5,150 ≈ US$5,700
The route
We leave Kyoto along the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, to the castle of Hikone, then join the Nakasendo, the old road through the central mountains, to the battlefield of Sekigahara. Gifu brings the first mountain stages, Gujo Hachiman and its castle, a night in a family-run ryokan and Shirakawago, the UNESCO village of thatched gassho houses.
After a rest day in Takayama come the two hardest stages, through the Kiso valley and over Gonbei Pass, before the Five Lakes region and, weather permitting, Mount Fuji over the water. The last stage follows the river to Kawasaki, on the edge of Tokyo.
May or October?
October, Japan: Kyoto to Tokyo. Autumn in the mountains, groups of up to 12 riders, hotels, ryokan and small guesthouses. Now in its 10th edition.
May, Japan: Rewild Your Mind. The same road in the season of fresh green leaves and flooded rice paddies, with snow still on the high passes. A maximum of 8 riders, and the Thalea Method of Andrea Bariselli: neuroscience, mindfulness and journaling woven into the ride.
Is this trip for me?
The route is rated hard: ten stages, mountain passes up to almost 1,300 m and around 10,870 m of climbing. But you ride light: a support van carries your luggage (50 litres per rider), you sleep in a bed every night, and dinner and breakfast are included on every stage. If you are used to long days in the saddle and steady climbs, you will enjoy it.
What’s included
- PA Cycling guides, according to the number of riders
- All nights in hotels, ryokan and small guesthouses
- Dinner and breakfast on every stage, welcome and farewell dinners
- Support van and luggage transport, and shipping of your bike case from Kyoto to Tokyo
- Personal travel insurance and airport transfers on the scheduled days
- A group video call before departure and a dedicated WhatsApp group
Flights, lunches and food during the riding days are not included. The exact list for each departure is on its trip page.
What riders say
5.0 67 reviews on GoogleThe trip to Japan exceeded our best expectations. The ancient Nakasendo route is spectacular, but what really made the difference was the PA Cycling team. Alessandro made us fall in love with Japan one pedal stroke at a time, with a constant but never intrusive presence.
Kyoto-Tokyo Japan 2025 tour was absolutely amazing. Our guide, Nacho Pellejero, was helpful, informative, and super friendly. The tour ran smoothly thanks to Franco in the support van. I was promised an epic adventure and PA Cycling delivered!
We crossed the most authentic heart of Japan, pedalling along extraordinary routes far from the crowds and mass tourism: quiet roads, small villages, enchanting landscapes. Some journeys end when you return home. This one will live on within us.
Questions about cycling in Japan
How hard is it to cycle from Kyoto to Tokyo?
It is rated hard: about 876 to 912 km in ten stages, with around 10,870 m of climbing and a few long mountain days. A rest day in Takayama comes before the two hardest stages, and the van carries your luggage.
Do I bring my own bike?
Yes, bike equipment is not included. We ship your bike bag or box from Kyoto to the final hotel in Tokyo, so it is waiting for you at the end.
Where do we sleep?
In Western-style hotels, family-run ryokan and traditional inns, with Japanese dinners on many nights. In traditional inns rooms are often shared.
How do I book?
Choose a departure and book online with a €1,000 deposit. 50% of the price is due one month later and the rest one month before departure. Read the cancellation terms on each trip page.
Planning a ride on your own? Read our practical guide to cycling in Japan: seasons, the 2026 rules, trains and where to sleep.
More questions? Read our general FAQ, write to info@pa-cycling.cc or message us on WhatsApp.
