Japan - Bicycling Japan's Noto Peninsula Bike Tour Guided 9 days / 8 nights

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Peregrine Morrison
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Japan - Bicycling Japan's Noto Peninsula Bike Tour 2018-2019 Guided 9 days / 8 nights A visit to Japan will be filled with contradictions to the senses, so come prepared to experience a rich history

1 Japan - Bicycling Japan's Noto Peninsula Bike Tour Guided 9 days / 8 nights A visit to Japan will be filled with contradictions to the senses, so come prepared to experience a rich history that dates back centuries and see the latest modern trends in fashion and electronics; visit beautiful forests, mountains and sea coasts as well as futuristic architecture and transportation; meet polite and candid locals as well as lovers of Hello Kitty and karaoke. Let the idiosyncrasies of Japan reveal themselves as our trip takes us to the rustic Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan. We'll cycle along coastal roads where we will pass sand dunes, caves and fantastic rock formations, terraced rice paddies as well as ancient temples and shrines. After seeing the incredible blue green waters you might want to stop at a beach for a dip. For the shopper in you we'll stop at Wajima, famous for its lacquer ware and morning market that specializes in fish. From Wajima we'll detour into the peninsula's interior to see Tokikuni Old House. As this is a long day of biking, 90 km, we'll head back to our magnificent inn where you can take in the views of the bay and relax. From Noto we'll ride around Notojima Island, where you'll have glimpses of snow-covered peaks of the Japanese Alps. We'll stay in Japanese-style lodging and experience an authentic onsen, or hot spring, in one of Japan's more famous "Onsen Towns." Our journey will then take us to Kanazawa - city of castles and three of Japan's major gardens. After exploring the samurai and geisha areas of the city we'll head to the UNESCO site of Shirakawago, an area known for three-storey, nailfree "clasped hands" thatched roof houses located at the base of Mount Hakusan. From there a visit to Takayama's old town will place you back in the Edo Period ( ). We'll end our trip here bu there are plenty of options to continue exploring Japan nearby.

Visit Kenroku Gardens, former samurai houses and Machiya, traditional Japanese townhouses dating back to the Heian Period (8th- 12th centuries) before returning to check in and enjoy a welcome dinner

2 Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Kanazawa City Upon arrival the group meets at Dormi Inn, a two minute walk from Kanazawa Station. If you arrive much earlier before the check-in time you can leave your luggage at the hotel and familiarize yourself with this fantastic city. Visit Kenroku Gardens, former samurai houses and Machiya, traditional Japanese townhouses dating back to the Heian Period (8th- 12th centuries) before returning to check in and enjoy a welcome dinner and trip briefing. Day 2: Kanazawa - Togi 65 km After a short transfer to the coast we start cycling on a flat bike path and do a stretch along the beach as well. En route we ll have a short stop at the 2,000 year old Keta Taisha Shrine and also check out Ganmon Cave, a natural arch in the sea. The last 20 kilometres of the ride will be undulating as we enter the Noto Peninsula. We finish and spend the night in Togi Town, where a hot spring awaits us at the hotel. Pinterest.com Day 3: Togi - Wajima 60 km Today we ll ride the Sekinohana coast to Minazuki and have a filling lunch of soba noodles. As we head along the ocean towards the fishing port of Wajima we ll take the time to cool off and take in the rugged coastline and strange but beautiful formations shaped by wind and sea waves. Tonight we stay at a traditional Japanese Minshuku, where we sleep on futons and can bathe in a hot spring. We ll enjoy some excellent local seafood at our lodging, where dinner is a communal affair and guests are expected to be on time. Day 4: Wajima - Noto 80 km Before leaving Wajima town we'll wander through the Asa- Ichi morning market famous for lacquerware and fish before we start the longest cycling day of the trip. Today we ride around the tip of Noto and will see the terraced rice fields of Senmaida, and for those interested, make a quick stop at Old Tokukuni House, a former feudal lord s house. We pass Mitsuke Island before riding into Tsukumo Bay. Here we stay the night at a fantastic Japanese Ryokan (Inn) with hot springs inside caves and magnificent views of the bay. Pinterest.com

Day 5: Noto - Notojima Island - Wakura 70 km An easy coastal ride before we cross to Notojima Island where we spend the day riding around the island with the snowcovered peaks of the Japanese Alps in

Day 6: Wakura - Takaoka 75 km From Wakura we ride along more beautiful coast before turning inland and entering Takaoka through Kanayamachi.

3 Day 5: Noto - Notojima Island - Wakura 70 km An easy coastal ride before we cross to Notojima Island where we spend the day riding around the island with the snowcovered peaks of the Japanese Alps in the background. Upon arrival at Wakura, one of Japan's famous onsen towns, we ll check into the wonderful Umi to Niji Inn, and give you plenty of time to relax in the baths that Wakura is famous for. Day 6: Wakura - Takaoka 75 km From Wakura we ride along more beautiful coast before turning inland and entering Takaoka through Kanayamachi. It is a well preserved area with traditional warehouses and houses from the Meiji Era and known for its copperware manufacturing roots. Once we check into our hotel its worth going for a short walk to visit the National Treasure, Zuiryū-ji Temple and Takaoka s Great Buddha. Day 7: Takaoka - Shirakawago 65 km Follow a bike path along the Oyabe River to the base of the mountains and stop to check out Zuisen-ji Temple, one of the largest wooden structures left standing in Japan. Next we ll head into the mountains for a few good climbs. After arriving we can spend the afternoon exploring Shirakawago, a World Heritage site famous for its Gassho Zukuris, nailfree "clasped hands" thatched roof houses. We ll spend the night at a 200 year old Gassho Zukuri and eat traditional mountain food, again with other guests at one sitting. An after dinner dip at the local onsen is recommended. Day 8: Shirakawago Takayama 70 km It will be an early start for the last day of riding. The route today takes us beside an impressive dam before a nicely graded road takes us over two nice passes. We ll spend the afternoon looking around Takayama s old city where narrow lanes are lined with wooden buildings housing sake breweries and quaint boutiques. Day 9: Departure This morning we ll assist you with planning for your onward travels. You can jump on a morning train to Nagoya and then transfer to the bullet train for Kyoto or Tokyo.

4 Route Technical Characteristics: Route Profile: The cycling around Noto Peninsula is moderately challenging with a few climbs. We ride on quiet roads with amazing views. The first few days riding are undulating, giving you ample time to warm up for the inclines towards the end of the trip, but averagely fit cyclists will have no problems. This trip is along tarmac roads in good condition and there is no technical riding. Distance: 485 km Travel Season: Departure dates for 2018: June 24; July 8 and August 26 Departure dates for 2019: May 2; June 23; July 7 and August 25

Price per Person: Basic price double occupancy Single Supplement Hybrid Bike Rental 24-27 speed $3900.00 USD N/A $165.

support van following the group Cycle jersey and Water bottle Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.

5 Price per Person: Basic price double occupancy Single Supplement Hybrid Bike Rental speed $ USD N/A $ USD Included: 8 nights accommodation in good mix of inns and hotels 8 x breakfast, 7x lunch and 7 x dinner Snacks and drinks English speaking guide Air conditioned support van following the group Cycle jersey and Water bottle Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free Local TICO Ontario Registration No:

Tour map NOTO-GIFU CYCLING ITINERALY

Tour map NOTO-GIFU CYCLING ITINERALY Itinerary Noto Peninsula, situated in the middle of mainland Honshu, is our newest cycle touring destination in Japan. The region offers a perfect opportunity for rural