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 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

Testimonials

  • My family and I absolutely loved our Playground of the Gods cycling tour! We were able to see areas of Hokkaido that we would never have gone to ourselves. Of course, those off-the-beaten-track places ended up being our favorites! The Cycle Japan team also chose wonderful food and hotels for us. We really felt like we got to see a side of Hokkaido that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. The cycling itself was also high quality - all of the roads were in excellent condition, and we never had any big issues with traffic. We can’t wait to come back in the future!

    Claire J, 2024

  • “Touring with Cycle Japan was the best way to see traditional Japan; seaside villages, stunning coastal scenery, mountain streams, rivers and lush forests. The accommodation was amazing, the food a real treat and the route varied and exciting. As a guide Gareth was invaluable; his knowledge of Japan, the people, customs and language added to the depth of our experience. The Japanese people were so friendly and welcoming and through Gareth we met and chatted with many locals. He took us to unique and special places as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites. An amazing trip.”

    Diane and Eric M, September 2023

  • “It was a fantastic trip that exceeded my expectations not only for biking, but also for hotel and baths, hikes, food, cultural experiences and daily challenges. Kathy and I have done a lot of bike trips and this one was right at the top.”

    Jerry C, June 2023

  • “A holiday of a lifetime… Cycling with Cycle Japan gave me deep insight into the unique and special culture of this extraordinary country. I had previously travelled as a tourist on the fast train but this slower, yet energising cycling journey through the extraordinary country was one of my top experiences in a lifetime of interesting travel. Well organised, fascinating route, dramatic scenery, spiritual sites, huge forests, excellent bikes - including e-bikes.”

    Jean W, September 2023

  • “Ease of travel for the moderately fit with fun guides and technical support. Every evening the welcoming relaxation of a hot bath, yukata gown, tatami mats, comfortable futons. Excellent food - no illness in our party of 8 yet we were given every style of Japanese cuisine such that later when we went to the food markets in Kyoto we realised we had already enjoyed most of what we saw. A truly magnificent holiday - top class quality. To be recommended at every level.”

    Ann and Graeme W, September 2023

  • Great experience - wish it was longer: Blissful riding through hills and farmlands - gentle climbs rewarded with exhilarating descents. Gareth and Rika were delightful hosts and offered great advice. Air Furano is small and comfy and has a great breakfast, so don’t bother with an accommodation upgrade in Furano unless you really want big hotel amenities. The bicycles were of good quality, well maintained, and comfortable to ride (unlike most other clunky rental tour bikes we’ve ridden). The rides were well curated - along country roads with sparse traffic and with interesting stops here and there - the ramen lunch, art museum, photo museum and the glass factory are all well worth the time. Accommodations were comfy, had onsens, and most had generous kaiseki dinners, one had a buffet.

    Heidi V, 2024