Fukui · Ishikawa · Toyama · Gifu · Shiga
Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go & Takayama
A private five-day ride from Kyoto to the Sea of Japan and the mountains of Hida: sea cliffs, samurai Kanazawa, thatched-roof villages and Lake Biwa.
- 5 days
- 850 km
- Intermediate
- ¥400,000 per person
A grand loop through central Japan that most visitors only see from a bus window. We leave Kyoto along the shore of Lake Biwa, follow the wild Echizen coast to the cliffs of Tojinbo, and spend an afternoon in Kanazawa, the best-preserved castle town in Japan. From there we climb into the mountains on quiet valley roads to the thatched-roof villages of Gokayama and Shirakawa-go, stay a night in Takayama, and ride home through the water town of Gujo Hachiman and the castle towns of Lake Biwa.
This is a private tour: just your group of up to four riders and your guide, so the pace and stops are yours. Days are paced for riding and exploring: the longest day is around 240 km, with time to walk around Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama on foot. Each night is in a hand-picked hotel or onsen ryokan.
Itinerary
Day 1
Kyoto to the Echizen coast
Meet at the rental shop in Kyoto or Kameoka for a bike briefing, then ride north along the western shore of Lake Biwa, stopping at Shirahige Shrine and its torii gate standing in the lake. Over the hills to Tsuruga and onto the Echizen coast road, with cliffs, fishing harbours and sea views most of the way to the basalt cliffs of Tojinbo. Night at an onsen ryokan in Awara Onsen. About 240 km.
Shirahige Shrine's torii standing in Lake Biwa 
The Echizen coast road 
The basalt cliffs of Tojinbo 
Outdoor bath at Awara Onsen
Day 2
Eiheiji and Kanazawa
A short morning ride inland to Eiheiji, the head temple of Soto Zen, founded in 1244 and set in a forest of giant cedars. Then on to Kanazawa, arriving by early afternoon to explore on foot: Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three great gardens, the castle park and the old teahouses of the Higashi Chaya district. Night in Kanazawa. About 110 km.
Eiheiji, a Zen temple among giant cedars 
Kenrokuen garden, Kanazawa 
Higashi Chaya teahouse district
Day 3
Gokayama and Shirakawa-go to Takayama
Into the mountains on Route 304 to Gokayama, whose quiet thatched villages of Ainokura and Suganuma share UNESCO World Heritage status with Shirakawa-go. Follow the Sho River valley on Route 156 to Shirakawa-go for lunch and the view from the Shiroyama lookout, then continue past Lake Miboro and over the hills into Takayama. Dinner of Hida beef at a ryokan in Takayama. About 170 km.
Gokayama's thatched villages 
Riding along the Sho River valley 
A thatched farmhouse in Shirakawa-go 
Hida beef dinner
Day 4
Takayama to Lake Biwa via Gujo Hachiman
Morning at the Miyagawa riverside market and the old merchant streets of Takayama, then south through the Hirugano highlands to Gujo Hachiman, a castle town built around canals and spring water. Past the Sekigahara battlefield and down to Nagahama on the shore of Lake Biwa. Night by the lake. About 220 km.
Miyagawa morning market, Takayama 
Gujo Hachiman castle above the town
Day 5
Castle towns of Lake Biwa and back to Kyoto
Visit Hikone Castle, one of only five castles in Japan designated a National Treasure, then the canals of Omi-Hachiman before following the lake back to Kyoto. Return the bikes at the rental shop by mid-afternoon. About 100 km.
Hikone Castle, a National Treasure 
The Omi-Hachiman canal
Included
- ✓Motorcycle rental from our partner shop in Kyoto or Kameoka
- ✓4 nights in hotels and onsen ryokan (twin share)
- ✓Breakfast daily and 4 dinners, including Hida beef in Takayama
- ✓English-speaking local ride leader
- ✓Route planning, bike briefing and on-road support
Not included
- –Fuel and expressway tolls
- –Lunches and drinks
- –Entry fees to temples, gardens and castles
- –Travel and personal accident insurance
- –Riding gear (available to rent)
- –International Driving Permit (required)
Per person
¥400,000