KYOTO

SELF-GUIDED CYCLING TOUR

KYOTO

SELF-GUIDED CYCLING TOUR

Season

March-Early December
Best time: May-June, September-October

Duration

7days
*Sunday start suggested for best stop availability, but flexible.

Price

$6,500CAD
$4,500CAD: comfort accommodations including ryokans

$800CAD: optional Kyoto extension (1 night, free plan)
$400CAD (comfort plan)

+$500CAD for E-bike
+$350CAD for Hybrid
+$750CAD for Road bike

(Canadian dollars/per person)

Location

Start: JR Nara Station or Shin Omiya Station

Finish: Kinosakionsen Station

-All five-star quality accommodations
-6 breakfast x 5 dinners (6 breakfast x 3 dinners for comfort plan)
-Daily luggage transfer
-Our complimentary original jersey
-Tokyo self-guided walking tour (1–2.5 days)
-Turn by turn smartphone navigation map

Included

-Airfare
-Rental Bike
-All lunch
-Small fees not payable in advance
-SIM card (eSIM or physical)
-Bike security deposit ($500 CAD)
-Travel Insurance
-Gratuity

Not Included

Pre-trip:
-3 nights in Tokyo

Post-trip:
-Kyoto Station (2.5 hrs)
-Osaka Station (3 hrs)
-Himeji Station/Castle (2 hrs)

Pre/Post Ideas

Highlights

UNESCO City Kyoto
Cycle Nara (710–794) to Kyoto (794–1185)
Golden pavilion, bamboo forest, thousand gates, and more
Curated night walk in Kyoto
Visit the world’s largest wooden building (UNESCO)
Coastal ride through hidden Kyoto by the Sea of Japan
Stay in refined ryokan and hotels, some with ocean-view onsen

In 794, the imperial capital was moved from Heijōkyō (modern-day Nara) to Heiankyō (now Kyoto). The decision was driven by both political and environmental needs. Though Nara (710–794), Japan’s capital during the Nara period, thrived as a center of early Buddhism, its location raised concerns. The basin was flat, lacked natural defenses, and offered limited access to clean water—factors seen as unfavorable for a lasting capital.

Kyoto—surrounded on three sides by mountains and nourished by rivers—offered flowing water, natural protection, and a setting better suited for growth. As the population expanded, the city entered its golden age: the Heian period (794–1185), Japan’s longest cultural era after ancient times. Courtly life flourished, and the foundations of Japanese art, literature, and aesthetics were born—securing Kyoto’s place at the heart of the nation’s soul.

We trace this story by bike, beginning in Nara and riding into Kyoto. Along the way, we visit signature temples and shrines, then follow a quiet coastal ride that gradually meets the sea—ending in a charming hot spring village.

Accommodations include a thoughtful mix of high-end traditional ryokan and top-tier hotels. Ryokan offer a deeper connection to local culture, with onsen baths and seasonal cuisine. This is a refined cycling journey with primary emphasis on thoughtful routing, cultural depth, and culinary detail—all designed with riders in mind.

If you'd like to spend more time in the city of Kyoto, an optional one-night extension is available.

Itinerary

12km (7mi)
+119m/-121m (+390ft/-397ft)
—Nara— Nara is known for its sacred deer, believed to be messengers of the gods since ancient times. Today, they roam freely as symbols of the city’s spiritual heritage. Begin with a gentle introduction ride to Todai-ji (UNESCO), home to the world’s largest wooden structure and Great Buddha. This short ride helps you ease into the rhythm of Japanese roads and your bike. If arriving late, no worries—one of our most memorable moments on this route is visiting Nigatsu-do after dusk settles in, where the evening stillness naturally evokes a gentle sense of Zen.
53km (33mi)
+292m/-305m (+985ft/-1,001ft)
—Nara and Kyoto— We trace the story of an ancient capital shift—beginning with a gentle, flat ride that eases you into the day. After a short stretch through town, you pass UNESCO landmarks before turning onto quieter roads that weave through tea farms and pastoral countryside. Cross low bridges and begin to notice how the landscape changes: more water, more life, and the signs of a flourishing former capital shaped by its natural setting. Arriving at your ryokan doesn’t mark the end of the day. Our original night walk through the historic heart of this UNESCO city, en route to dinner, is often a quiet highlight. You stay in the same accommodation for the next two nights.
41km (25mi)
+316m/-314m (+1,037ft/-1,031ft)
—Kyoto— We spend the day temple-hopping, visiting sites you might recognize from the covers of Japan travel publications. Along a route that includes quiet cyclist-only paths, take your time at landmarks like the Golden Pavilion, the bamboo forest, and the thousand gates of Fushimi Inari, each layered with history and meaning. The city of Kyoto offers more to explore than a single day can capture—from iconic sites to remarkable dining. If you'd like more time to take it all in, an optional one-night extension is available.
27km (17mi)
+419m/-357m (+1,375ft/-1,171ft)
—Kyoto— The day begins with a morning train out of the city and into the quieter reaches of northern Kyoto Prefecture, where quiet roads and dreamlike riding await. This region has long been shaped by sea and legend—from a pine-covered sandbar once considered a pathway between heaven and earth, to a historic fishing village that has played a vital role in sustaining Kyoto’s rich culinary tradition. Unwind in an open-air onsen with ocean views—a soothing finish for legs well-worked by days of riding.
52km (32mi)
+866m/-924m (+2,842ft/-3,031ft)
—Kyoto— Wake to the sound of waves and set off on a dynamic coastal ride. With sweeping views of the Sea of Japan, the road weaves past rice fields—gleaming like mirrors in spring and golden in autumn. Climbs come and go, but the rhythm of rising and descending opens up some of the quietest and most scenic parts of the journey—where even wild monkeys may be seen moving through the coastal hillsides. Later in the day, you find yourself in Kinosaki Onsen—a storybook hot spring town known for its willow-lined canals and traditional taiko bridges. Here, you settle in for two restful nights.
51km (32mi)
+404m/-403m (+1,325ft/-1,322ft)
—Kinosaki Onsen— This area is home to the oriental stork—once extinct in the wild in Japan, now reintroduced through careful conservation efforts. With wingspans that can reach over two meters (six feet), these graceful birds are now a symbol of the region—you’ll see their nests along the route. The ride brings you to a former castle town that flourished in the Edo period (1603–1868). Koi swim in stone-lined canals, a historic sake brewery still operates, and a preserved samurai residence reflects the era’s prosperity. Return to Kinosaki in time to enjoy its iconic onsen culture, where bathhouses and yukata-clad visitors bring timeless charm to the town.
—Kinosaki Onsen— On this final day, Kinosaki Onsen Station marks the close of your journey. From here, you can take a train back to Kyoto in about 2.5 hours or head to Himeji, home to Japan’s most renowned castle, in just two hours.