TOHOKU  - THE NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH

TOHOKU CYCLING TOUR, WIND ALONG THE SPINE OF NORTHEASTERN HONSHU, STARTING IN AOMORI PREFECTURE AND ENDING AT WORLD HERITAGE NIKKO NATIONAL PARK - 14 DAYS GUIDED TOUR

A traditional Japanese wooden house with moss-covered thatched roof spotted during our Tohoku cycling tour.
UNESCO-listed colorful statue of a traditional Japanese demon or ogre seen during our Tohoku cycling tour in autumn.
Cyclist on Tohoku cycling tour during sunset by the beach.
A red suspension bridge over a river, surrounded by lush trees with fall foliage on a misty mountain background.
Traditional Japanese samurai armor displayed next to a monochrome painting of swirling waves and a dragon.
Decorative wooden panel with a painted turtle design, behind black metal bars.
A peaceful, dimly lit outdoor scene in the evening with wooden buildings, lanterns, and a few blurred figures walking along a gravel path. The area is surrounded by autumn foliage.
Person rinsing hands at a water basin decorated with flowers and greenery in a natural outdoor setting with trees in the background.
A red suspension bridge spans a river with autumn foliage on the trees and mist on the distant mountains.
Four people sitting at a wooden table, eating Japanese cuisine including bowls of ramen, rice, and various side dishes, with condiments and utensils visible on the table.
Bicyclist riding on a winding forest road surrounded by trees with fall foliage.
A scenic winter landscape of a frozen lake with a small island covered in trees, surrounded by mountains in the background, and leafless trees in the foreground.
A large bronze statue of a seated figure with closed eyes, wearing a crown and traditional robes, surrounded by trees in the background.

Experience our Tohoku cycling tour “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”, a 14-day journey through northeastern Honshu from Aomori to World Heritage Nikko National Park. On this ride, you will follow the historic paths of famed poet Basho, explore remote landscapes, charming mountain towns, and rich cultural sites while enjoying the region’s natural beauty and local hospitality. With guided support, comfortable stays, and scenic cycling each day, this tour showcases the best of Tohoku on two wheels.

Route Highlights

  • Travel the paths that the poet, Matsuo Basho, once trod; “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”.

  • Explore uncrowded beauty spots and stunning mountain landscapes.

  • Cycle past caldera lakes, through national parks and around famous castle towns.

  • Experience well-preserved, historical Edo-era towns.

  • Wonder in World Heritage Nikko’s spectacular temples and shrines.

Difficulty: Level 2.5

Price: $8,960 USD/person. (Based on twin/double occupancy. If you wish to have your own room then a supplement will apply.)

Scheduled Dates: 13th to 26th April 2026 and 12th to 25th October 2026

What’s Included

✅Quality accommodation (typically 3 or 4★, with select authentic or upgraded stays for character and comfort)

✅Daily FREE breakfasts and lunches, with dinners on all but one night

✅On-tour nutrition, water, electrolytes, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and nuts available throughout the day

✅Full mechanical bike support and access to a support van for luggage and rider assistance

✅GPS route data provided for each ride (use your own device or one of ours, free of charge)

✅Minimum of two professional multilingual local guides, one on-road guide and one support driver/guest services specialist

✅Private tours and cultural experiences en route (seasonal and location-dependent)

✅All transfers and tour-related transport included

Get Tour Details

“I did two guided bicycle tours in Japan this April, one near Kyoto with a larger operator and one with Cycle Japan in Tohoku. I enjoyed them both, but thought the Cycle Japan trip was more special. Here’s why:

1. Gareth and Rika are just great people. I felt they really worked hard to make sure I had a great experience. That included making adjustments in real time to deliver the best possible experience on a given day.

2. Tohoku is a less travelled part of Japan, with unexpected pleasures. We rode from sea level through forests of cherry blossoms into mountains with deep snow, then down past rushing waterfalls. We went to the magical village that inspired Spirited Away. We were given a tour of a samurai house by the 15th generation owner. I bathed in a 900 year old onsen, then had a dinner with 30 items on the menu.

Cycle Japan will take you to places you will later dream about.”

— Douglas E., Tohoku, Guided, April 2026
Book tour

Ask about this tour

Interested in the Tohoku tour? Send us your preferred dates, group size and any questions.