Cycle the Noto Peninsula From Kyoto to Nanao Bay - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Kyoto - Travel to Kanazawa

Welcome to Japan! Your first stop is central Kyoto, where you'll meet your tour host from Oku Japan for an orientation. You'll familiarize yourself with your road bike and other gear you'll need for your journey.

Afterwards, you'll travel by train to the city of Kanazawa and explore its cultural treasures. Once the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan during the Edo Period, Kanazawa had a grand castle and grew to become a city of arts and crafts, rivaling Kyoto and Tokyo in its heyday. You can see amazing sights such as Kenrokuen Garden, preserved teahouses, and the Samurai districts. You can also visit the fascinating Omicho food market, a mecca for food lovers wanting to explore their palates.

Don't forget that you can personalize your trip! If you prefer, your orientation session can be on the previous day so you can enjoy extra time cycling around Kyoto. The paths along the Kamogawa River are particularly beautiful and a favorite among local cyclists.

Day 2: Cycle by Beaches From Kanazawa to Togi

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll travel by train to Houdatsu where today's ride begins. You'll cycle along the unique Chirihama Driveway, which travels on hard-packed beach sand for a portion of the path. On your journey, you'll pass beaches and follow country lanes past rice fields, charming rural villages, and rugged coastline.

Along the way, visit Keta Taisha Shrine, whose sacred power was regarded as having great national importance by the old central government. Nearby is Myojoji Temple, another historically significant spot. Just before arriving in Togi, you'll find particularly lovely coastal stretches with unique rock formations. Spend the night at a family-run Minshuku in Togi with delicious home-cooked meals. You can also opt to stay at a comfortable, local western-style hotel.

Cycling Details:

• Distance: 27.7 miles (44.5 km) with a shorter option available
• Elevation gain: 1,017 feet (310 m) of ascent and 1,007 feet (309 m) of descent
• Time required: 3-4 hours

Day 3: Visit Sojiji Temple on the Way to Wajima

Enjoy your morning and breakfast before starting today's cycle. You'll begin along scenic coastal lanes and pedal through small villages before leaving the seaside and passing through mountains.

Today's destination is Wajima, a charming port town that produces some of the finest lacquerware in Japan. En route, you can stop at the famous Sekinohana, a dynamic rock formation created by waves. Visit Sojiji Temple, one of the two head temples of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism.

Wajima Port is renowned for the quality of its fish, meaning tonight's dinner will be an outstanding multi-course seafood feast! After dinner, you'll head back to your accommodation, a charming traditional Minshuku. 

Cycling Details:

• Distance: 31.3 miles (50.3 km) with a shorter option available 
• Elevation gain: 1,341 feet (409 m) of ascent and 1,345 feet (410 m) of descent
• Time required: 3.5-4.5 hours

Day 4: Cycle Through Terraced Rice Fields to Suzushi

Today's ride follows a lovely coastal road to Shiroyone Senmaida, a hillside of two thousand terraced rice fields overlooking the Sea of Japan. You'll pedal along a flat route with scenic views, continuing for about 19 miles (30 km) past the old houses of Tokikunike and sea salt farms.

After some hilly ascents and descents, the route transitions into peaceful mountain scenery all the way to Suzushi, which is set on the other side of the Noto Peninsula. Suzushi has a delightful atmosphere and is famous for its landmark Mitsukejima Rock. For your accommodation, you can choose between a Ryokan (a travelers inn) or a Minshuku (a traditional family-run guesthouse).

Cycling Details:

• Distance: 38.4 miles (61.8 km) with a shorter option available
• Elevation gain: 2,250 feet (686 m) of ascent and 2,267 feet (691 m) of descent
• Time required: 4.5-5.5 hours

Day 5: Suzushi to Notojima Island via Ogi

After breakfast, prepare for your longest cycle of the trip. Today you'll ride on the Noto Peninsula, from Suzushi to Notojima Island in Nanao Bay. A half-hour taxi ride from Suzushi will first bring you to Ogi fishing village, which is filled with old fishermen's houses on quaint streets. This is a perfect area for gentle exploring on foot, taking in the charm of early 20th-century Japan.

When you have finished strolling through Ogi, you'll begin your ride, starting along a mostly flat and pleasant coastal road towards Notojima Island. After riding along the coast for 31 miles (50 km), you'll reach Anamizu railway station and board a train for the brief ride to Nishigishi. From Nishigishi, you'll cycle over the bridge to reach Notojima Island where you'll receive a warm welcome at your final family-run guesthouse.

Cycling Details:

• Distance: 40.7 miles (65.5 km) with a shorter option available
• Elevation gain: 2,221 feet (677 m) of ascent and 2,250 feet (686 m) of descent
• Time required: 4.5-5.5 hours

Day 6: Relax in Wakura Onsen - Return to Kyoto

After breakfast, wave goodbye to your hosts and cycle your final leg of the tour to Wakura Onsen. Wakura Onsen is a famous hot-spring resort on Nanao Bay and has 1,200 years of history. The town is dominated by large hotels and a whole range of Ryokan.

You are free to explore Wakura before taking a train to Kyoto, where your tour ends. In Kyoto, your tour host will meet you to retrieve your bike and other rental equipment.

Cycling Details:

• Distance: 7.8 miles (12.5 km)
• Elevation gain: 682 feet (208 m) of ascent and 719 feet (219 m) of descent
• Time required: 1 hour