North Japan
Hokkaido-Southern Area
Wide skies, cool summer air and empty farm roads. A sample loop for riders who want space, dairy country and national-park views.
Private Cycling Tours Across Japan
Quiet countryside routes with a licensed guide who drives the support car and leads via WhatsApp location sharing.
This tour is thoughtfully designed for travelers who wish to explore Japan while keeping costs affordable. By focusing on the essentials, we aim to offer a rewarding and memorable cycling experience at a reasonable price. While some aspects of the tour may be simpler or less convenient than those of a premium tour, we appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we enjoy the adventure together.
Destinations
Tap a blue point on the Japan map to find that region’s route on Velodash. We can also plan tours anywhere in Japan — see custom tours below.
Blue points show regions where we have run tours. Tap a point to see that region. We can also plan tours in other regions.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido: Eastern Hokkaido & Shiretoko Peninsula
The Eastern Hokkaido area focused on the Shiretoko Peninsula. You can consult with us about routes tailored to grand nature and seasons.
Custom tours — nationwide
We can offer cycling tours across Japan. Tell us your dates, region, distance, difficulty and how you want to travel — please enquire anytime.
- Nationwide tours — not limited to the regions on our map.
- We can plan around your dates, region, distance, difficulty and transport.
- Various plans are possible — contact us via the enquiry form, email or WhatsApp text.
Shiga Japan
Lake Biwa
Biwaichi is a full cycling loop around Lake Biwa. This three-day sample starts and finishes in Otsu, with two nights along the route.
Setouchi Japan
Shimanami Kaido · Setouchi Islands
Japan’s best-known sea-crossing bike route, plus quieter island lanes. The home region of this one-person tour.
South Japan
Kyushu-Kagoshima
Warm coasts and volcanic country, rideable for more months of the year. A sample that can stay coastal or climb inland.
Nationwide Japan
Custom tour — anywhere in Japan
We propose cycling tours anywhere in Japan. Plans are built to your request — for example, a cycling tour without using a rental car. Tell us your region, dates and how you want to travel.
How Shimanami Cycling Tours guides
A guide on a bicycle does not ride with you for every kilometre of every day. That is a common misunderstanding — the default method is below. Optional partial on-bike escort is described in How we guide and in the FAQ.
How we guide (default)
Your guide drives the support car and uses WhatsApp location sharing to lead the way and coordinate support. You cycle; the car carries luggage, spares, snacks and water. This is not a two-person setup with a cycling guide plus a separate driver, and it is not a car that simply follows behind the group all day.
The guide drives ahead of the cycling group and stands at important intersections to show you which way to go. The guide also stops the car at roadside stations (michi-no-eki) and convenience stores to show you the toilets and help with shopping.
Long-term on-bike sub-guides — not offered as a rule
Long-term on-bike sub-guide service is not offered in principle. Lodging, meals and other costs for a second guide who rides with you for many days are difficult to arrange.
If you ask for partial on-bike escort (optional, not the default)
- The guide rides a bicycle with you to the lunch stop.
- The guide takes a taxi back to the departure hotel (or where the support car was left).
- The guide drives the support car to the lunch meeting point.
- After lunch, the guide rides with you toward that night’s accommodation.
- The guide takes a taxi to retrieve the support car, drives the car to the accommodation, and rejoins the group there.
Taxi fares for this optional on-bike escort are paid by the guest. They are separate from the operator’s own lodging and meals (see below).
Operator’s lodging and meals (not charged to you)
You do not need to pay the operator’s lodging or meals separately. The guide usually sleeps in the support car. Because of dietary restrictions, the guide prepares meals independently — not at your table on your bill.
Accommodation & restaurants
We can suggest several accommodation and dining options in the area. Please book your stays and meals yourself — we do not make reservations or booking arrangements on your behalf. Under Japan's Travel Agency Act, the guide cannot make accommodation or restaurant reservations.
Airport and station meet & send-off
When you arrive, we can pick you up at your airport or station. At the end of each riding day, or when your tour ends, we can drop you at your hotel or other accommodation you have booked. When you leave Japan, we can take you from your hotel to your departure airport or station. Transfer costs and how they appear in your quote are confirmed in your written estimate — we do not state that meet & send-off is free or included in a flat package unless your quote explicitly says so.
Bikes provided on tour
Our standard rental bikes are cross bikes (small and medium sizes). We also keep about five e-bikes. If you change bike type (including switching to an e-bike), an additional fee applies — the amount is confirmed in your written quote only.
Payment, quotes and other questions are in the FAQ.
Tours & Pricing
All tour rates and sample fees shown on this site are guides only — not a fixed package price. Travel to the start (flights, shinkansen, etc.) and other separate costs may apply. Only your written estimate confirms amounts and what is included.
Private cycling tour
¥100,000per day / group (estimate)Estimate
One group, up to 6 riders
- Cycling tour anywhere in Japan (estimate)
- One licensed guide drives the support car and leads via WhatsApp location
- English and Japanese
- Cross bikes (small and medium sizes); about 5 e-bikes — type change incurs an additional fee (quoted)
- Meet & send-off at airport or station — costs confirmed in your quote
- Guide’s lodging and meals are not billed to you
Daily rate is an estimate for the group, not per person. Travel to the region and other extras may apply. Optional on-bike escort taxi fares are paid by the guest.
Plan Your TourGuided rental-car tour
from ¥50,000per day / group (estimate)Estimate
One group, up to 4 guests
- This is not a cycling tour
- A guided tour in a comfortable rental car
- Available throughout Japan
- For details, please contact us
Rental-car fuel, tolls and other travel costs are extra. Figures are estimates. Conditions vary by plan — we confirm them in your written estimate.
Plan Your TourHow we prepare your estimate
Step 1
Share your schedule and wishes
Tell us your preferred dates, region, group size, riding style and must-see stops via the enquiry form, email or WhatsApp text.
Step 2
Receive an estimate when dates are set
Once your schedule is fixed, we prepare a day plan and a written estimate based on your request.
Step 3
Ask for changes after the estimate
If you want to adjust the plan after seeing the estimate, talk to us — requests and changes are welcome.
Usually covered by the guiding fee
- Licensed guide who plans the tour, guides, and drives the support car
- Support car on route (luggage, spares, snacks and water)
- Cross bikes (small and medium sizes) as the standard bikes we provide
- Guide’s own lodging and meals — not billed to you separately
Separate or confirmed in your estimate
- Travel to the start (flights, shinkansen and similar)
- Your hotels, meals and restaurant reservations (you book these yourself)
- Meet & send-off costs, if any — confirmed in your written estimate
- Optional on-bike escort taxi fares (guest pays, only if you request that option)
- Additional fee when you change bike type — amount confirmed in your quote
Payment
Tour fees are normally paid in cash on the first morning of the tour. PayPal payment is also possible — please tell us when you enquire if you would like to use PayPal.
Accommodation & restaurants
We can suggest several accommodation and dining options in the area. Please book your stays and meals yourself — we do not make reservations or booking arrangements on your behalf. Under Japan's Travel Agency Act, the guide cannot make accommodation or restaurant reservations.
Meet & send-off
When you arrive, we can pick you up at your airport or station. At the end of each riding day, or when your tour ends, we can drop you at your hotel or other accommodation you have booked. When you leave Japan, we can take you from your hotel to your departure airport or station. Transfer costs and how they appear in your quote are confirmed in your written estimate — we do not state that meet & send-off is free or included in a flat package unless your quote explicitly says so.
Bikes on tour
Our standard rental bikes are cross bikes (small and medium sizes). We also keep about five e-bikes. If you change bike type (including switching to an e-bike), an additional fee applies — the amount is confirmed in your written quote only.
Read the FAQ →
National Interpreter GuideDomestic Tour Conductor
About the Guide
Ever since I went cycling in Europe at the age of sixteen, I have traveled both within Japan and abroad, focusing primarily on cycling and Buddhist pilgrimages.
Meet Yuji Aboshi — licensed guide, route planner and support-car driver in one person.
“To share the true beauty of Japan with cycling lovers — safely, and one quiet countryside road at a time.”
To keep costs lean, one person plans the tour, guides, and drives the support car. We cannot take phone calls — please contact us by the enquiry form, email, or WhatsApp text message.
He has guided international travellers as a National Interpreter Guide for more than a decade. We may suggest places to stay and eat; you make those reservations yourself — we do not book on your behalf.
Languages
English · JapaneseBilingual support on every tour (from the support car).
Hiroshima Special
Hiroshima — Peace Park & Miyajima
Meeting Information
I will meet you in front of your assigned car on the platform at Hiroshima Station. To ensure a smooth meeting, could you please provide the following details from your reservation ticket:
- Shinkansen name (e.g., Nozomi, Hikari, Sakura)
- Train number
- Car number
- Arrival time at Hiroshima Station
If you have already purchased your return tickets, kindly let me know the departure time from Hiroshima. Please note: I strongly recommend booking your return seats in advance, as the ticket counters at Hiroshima Station can be quite crowded, often requiring 30 minutes or more of waiting time.
If it’s convenient for you, you may also attach photos of your JR Pass and seat reservation ticket to your reply email.
Alternatively, if you are staying at a hotel in Hiroshima, I will be happy to meet you in the lobby at your requested time.
Tentative Itinerary
Start time flexible between 8:00–11:00 AM
9:30 – Tour begins. Travel to Miyajima-guchi
10:30 – Arrive on Miyajima Island by ferry
11:00 – Visit Itsukushima Shrinehttps://www.japan.travel/en/world-heritage/itsukushima-shinto-shrine/
12:00 – Visit Daisho-in Templehttps://daisho-in.com/
Lunch Options
- Local specialties (Oysters, conger eel, Hiroshima beef):Google Map Link
- Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake):Google Map Link
- Ramen (noodle soup):Google Map Link
- Lunch Box (for flexibility at sightseeing spots):Google Map Link
Note: Please don’t worry about my meal—I will have a lunch provided by the local tourism association.
14:10 – Return to Hiroshima
14:50 – Travel to the Peace Memorial Park
15:45 – Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museumhttps://hpmmuseum.jp/?lang=eng
16:20 – Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
17:30 – Tour ends. I will escort you to your hotel, Hiroshima Station, or another location of your choice.
Reviews
Rider notes are on the founder's public Facebook page. Tours have been running for 13 years, with no accidents on the countryside-and-support-car method we use. About ten tours a year, mainly in spring and autumn.
Rider notes since 2013
Read Reviews on FacebookHow to Book
All tour rates and sample fees shown on this site are guides only — not a fixed package price. Travel to the start (flights, shinkansen, etc.) and other separate costs may apply. Only your written estimate confirms amounts and what is included. Cancellation is free up to seven days before the first ride.
When can we tour?
A planning calendar for private cycling tours. Green dates are generally easy to schedule; amber dates need more lead time or depend on weather. Red dates are already booked or outside our usual tour season. Your written estimate confirms whether we can run your tour.
November 2026
Late autumn riding before winter.
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Good to enquire
Usually straightforward to plan a tour in this period.
Limited season
Possible with flexibility — winter coasts, heat, or snow in the north.
Already booked
The guide is on tour — please choose other dates.
Not offered
We normally do not run tours in this window.
- Step 1
Share your schedule and wishes
Tell us your preferred dates, region, group size, riding style and must-see stops via the enquiry form, email or WhatsApp text.
- Step 2
Receive an estimate when dates are set
Once your schedule is fixed, we prepare a day plan and a written estimate based on your request. We may introduce accommodation and restaurant candidates; you book them yourself — we do not arrange reservations.
- Step 3
Ask for changes after the estimate
If you want to adjust the plan after seeing the estimate, talk to us — requests and changes are welcome.
- Step 4
Pay on the first morning of the tour
Tour fees are normally paid in cash on the first morning of the tour. PayPal payment is also possible — please tell us when you enquire if you would like to use PayPal.
- Step 5
Ride Japan
You cycle on quiet countryside roads. Your guide drives the support car and uses WhatsApp location sharing to lead and coordinate support.
FAQ
What are the seats in the support car like?
We sincerely apologize, but the seats are very cramped because the vehicle is designed for the Japanese market. Thank you for your kind understanding.
Does the guide ride a bicycle with us all day?
No — that is not the default. The guide leads from the support car using WhatsApp location sharing. Partial on-bike escort is only available on request and follows the taxi / support-car steps described on this page.
Do we pay for the guide’s hotel and meals?
No. The operator’s lodging and meals are not billed to you. The guide usually sleeps in the support car and prepares food separately because of dietary limits. This is different from taxi costs if you choose optional on-bike escort, and different from sub-guide arrangements we do not offer long-term.
Can you provide a second guide who cycles with us for the whole trip?
Long-term on-bike sub-guides are not offered in principle because of lodging and meal costs. Ask about the optional partial on-bike escort instead.
What bicycles do you provide?
電動バイクをご希望の場合、一日一台5,000円の追加料金がかかります。
Can the guide ride a bicycle with us for part of the day?
Yes, only if you request it — it is not the default. The guide rides with you to the lunch stop, takes a taxi back to the departure hotel (or where the support car was left), then drives the support car to lunch. After lunch the same pattern applies toward that night’s accommodation. Taxi fares for this option are paid by the guest. They are separate from the guide’s own lodging and meals, which are not billed to you.
Do you book hotels or restaurants for us?
No. We may suggest several local options; you reserve accommodation and restaurants yourself. We do not make bookings on your behalf. Under Japan's Travel Agency Act, the guide cannot make accommodation or restaurant reservations.
Are airport pickups included in the price?
We can pick you up at your arrival airport or station, drop you at your hotel when a riding day or tour ends, and take you from your hotel to your departure airport or station when you leave. Whether any transfer cost applies is spelled out in your written quote — not assumed free or included unless the quote says so.
Are the prices on the website final?
No. Published daily rates and sample tour fees are estimates only. Travel to the region and other extras may be separate. We prepare a written estimate after your dates are set.
How does the quote process work?
First share your plans and wishes. When your dates are fixed we send a written estimate. After that, you can still ask for changes — we welcome follow-up requests.
How do we pay the tour fee?
Normally in cash on the first morning of the tour. PayPal is also possible if you tell us when you enquire.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation is free up to seven days before the first ride.
What should I keep in mind to enjoy cycling safely in Japan?
Cycling Safety Guidelines in Japan
For everyone's safety and enjoyment, please follow these important guidelines during our cycling tours.
- Keep Left – Always ride on the left side of the road, following Japanese traffic rules.
- Ride in Single File – Do not ride side by side. Keep a safe distance from other cyclists.
- Obey Traffic Signals – Always stop at red lights and follow all traffic signs.
- Stay Hydrated – Drink water frequently, even if you are not thirsty, to prevent dehydration.
- Use Restrooms Before Departure – Please use the restroom before each cycling session, as facilities may be limited along the route.
- Wait for Your Group – At intersections and designated meeting points, wait for all group members to catch up before continuing.
- Avoid Taking Photos in Busy Traffic Areas – For your safety, stop in a safe location away from traffic before taking photos.
- Watch Out for Pedestrians – Always give way to pedestrians and be especially careful in crowded areas.
- Stay Alert – Pay attention to your surroundings, road conditions, and other vehicles at all times.
- Follow Your Guide's Instructions – Please listen carefully to your guide's safety advice throughout the tour.
Your safety is our top priority. Let's enjoy a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable cycling adventure in Japan!
Contact
To keep costs lean, one person plans the tour, guides, and drives the support car. We cannot take phone calls — please contact us by the enquiry form, email, or WhatsApp text message.
Enquiry form, WhatsApp text, or email — no phone calls.
Contact methods
Enquiry form · WhatsApp text · Email
- Enquiry form
Use the form on this page (shown first on mobile).
- Reply hours8:00 – 18:00 (JST)